Monday 22 October 1973
Laboratory routine proceeds as usual; a visit to Arrival Heights to check equipment and collect results; processing of film from the ionosonde; chemicals exposed to collect C02 for isotope analysis; metrological records collected and so on. Base Maintenance also continues. The carpenter and his assistants are making good the fit around doors and hatches, base engineer carried out the weekly check and oil change on the working diesel. Post Office has been well patronized by Americans, drillers and Army leaders. We are held up on modifications to the DVDP tent but not for long I hope. This morning Shaun Norman, Deputy, and I attended a meeting to arrange plans for a “wagon train” taking the drill rig across the ice to Marble Point. Scott Base is to provide 3 scouts in return for a 600lb share of the payload. We will also provide back-up radio.
This afternoon we had a second meeting with Lt Cdr Tom Chider the US helicopter king, to agree a system of accounting for helicopter flying hours and get some idea of loads and flying time for various trips. This evening we had our fuel tanks topped up and Bill Johnson was just about to take a well earned break when the Waterbury heater in the laboratory failed. He and Chris Wilkins, electrician, were still trying to effect repairs at midnight.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind South-South-East 25 knots Temperature -13.6°C
Ration Strength 29
The general area around Scott Base which is located on Ross Island
Tuesday 23 October 1973
A beautiful clear day but no aircraft can get in as the snow cutters haven’t even opened the road to the strip, let alone cleared the strip itself. We will be pretty crowded when they do arrive. Base scientific and maintenance programmes continue. The Post Office gave an estimate that in two weeks they would be held up for new equipment such as the teleprinters. Vanda party is checking tents and sledges and making a few minor repairs. The incinerator has been cleared out but will never burn well without a chimney height increase or a blower. Also it will fill with snow every storm we get and cause a lot of dirty and tedious work. I have revised instructions for mice. Tonight most of the Base went to McMurdo for a sauna bath. I needed it after a day in the incinerator.
Had a tussle with John Bitters who wanted to blow the “Pee” Glacier whereas I wanted the dogs exercised. Eventually I was able to persuade him.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-North-East 10 knots Temperature -16.0°C
Ration Strength 29
Wednesday 24 October 1973
The DVDP caravan to Marble Point got away this morning at about 0800 hours. They had an uneventful but uncomfortable trip and were still 20 miles from the Base on the return trip at midnight.
At about 0900 hours the snow on the roof of the corridors suddenly began to melt. The Base staff got hurriedly organised with the Science Technicians sweeping the roof, the Engineers staff operating dozers and bucket and everybody else shovelling out the gaps between huts on the North side of the cold corridor.
Otherwise normal data collection and Base maintenance. Titch Gibson, Postmaster was off sick for one day with flu. Tony Taylor was also suffering.
Conditions at 0900 hours No wind Temperature -8.0°C
Ration Strength 29
Thursday 25 October 1973
Jack Hoffman, Drill Supervisor, made Mike Wing, winter dog handler applicant available for dog handling practice or other duties. The dogs need a run and Cape Evans Hut should be surveyed for necessary repairs so I decided to send John Bitters with Bill Whitely and the other two applicants with a dog team. Unfortunately he objected claiming I was rushing matters. After a call to Harry MacDonald in Christchurch I agreed to postpone the trip until tomorrow. Then Bitters presented me with a trip plan in script which he said he would get typed. I told him this was unnecessary as it was quite clear. Later I met the Postmaster who had just finished typing it for him in duplicate. No doubt he felt two copies were necessary but we again had sharp words. Perhaps matters will settle down after the trip.
We had a large influx of new arrivals today – 11 in all. Since the helicopters will not fly for another five days it is going to be difficult to keep everyone busy. Events 1, 3 & 6 (Waikato) have arrived and all field assistants.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind North-East 5 knots Temperature -9.4°C
Ration Strength 41
Friday 26 October 1973
John Bitters and the dog party got away. Bill Johnson and Chris Wilkins spent the morning repairing the kitchen diesel-beck, Brian Fischer put new duckboards in the cold porch between F and K Huts, Shaun Norman saw all Event Leaders to find out what they wanted to do pending helicopter availability and we held an ice party. I attended a meeting after lunch at McMurdo to arrange cargo priorities inward. Since this had already been done by Christchurch Antarctic Division and I agreed with their proposals, it was not necessary for me to speak.
Cape Evans Hut
In the afternoon weather conditions deteriorated but John Bitters came through on schedule. He is holed up at Cape Evans with plenty of food and fuel. In the evening we had talks by Event leaders about what they are doing. After that a conference on the Vanda works programme. I think we are now all pretty clear about what is to be done there.
Conditions at 0900 hours No wind
Ration Strength 37
Saturday 27 October 1973
The day dawned with near blizzard conditions. With the base crowded and everybody cooped up inside it is difficult to get on with the job. Still we are doing our best as follows:
Laboratory staff & Post Office – normal routine
Base maintenance staff – routine plus plumbing faults
Field assistants – general spring clean
Vanda Party – prefabricating and preparing for works programme.
Two deficiencies in our training programme seem to have been disclosed
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We have no one with medical attendant training once Ian Cupley goes to Vanda yet the dispensary is full of medicaments. The necessary information is in the manual of first aid but no one now has the time to study it and it would have been so easy to get a little training before leaving New Zealand.
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We have no one who can use explosives once John Bitters leaves. The most efficient way of getting rid of the “Pee glacier” is to place a few small charges in it and shatter it.
Colin Monteath’s birthday – we have baked a cake and will have wine with the evening meal.
John Bitters of Cape Evans party came up on schedule. The weather at Evans is not good and as they have plenty of fuel and food they are staying put until it improves.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind South 30 knots Temperature -9.0°C
Ration Strength 37
Sunday 28 October 1973
A quiet day. In the morning the weather was bad so our planned recreational trips were cancelled. Cape Evans party also had bad weather but as the forecast was for an improvement they expected to get away some time during the day on their return journey.
Here at Scott Base the weather did improve and a number of the inhabitants went walking or ski-ing around the area.
Bill Johnson and I have heavy colds. Shaun Norman has one arm in a sling and the other strapped to his chest as the result of a fall. Ray Colliver has a cold.
Conditions at 0900 hours Wind West 42 knots Temperature -7.9°C
Ration Strength 37
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