Traverses from Wilkes
Spring 1960 Southern Traverse
Photos of Spring 1960 Southern Traverse
Members
Harry Black - Leader, navigator, science
Jan Lunde - Engineer/mechanic
Mike Campbell - Radio operator
Don Butling - Plumber/carpenter
Jim Harrop - Meteorology
Vehicles
Weasels Eva and Weasel 14, Sno Cat "SNO-CATHIE", and caravan ANEATA (built by Don Butling). Traxcavator in support to S2.
Goals
Plans were underway for equipment to be delivered to Wilkes for a traverse in 1961. No traverse was planned for 1960. However an enthusiastic OIC Harry Black proposed an advance traverse in support of the planned traverse using available equipment. This was approved and the traverse was a significant success reaching a furthest south point of 289km south of S2. Extensive scientific measurements were made along the way, such as meteorology and glaciology, and extensive measurements made of existing ongoing experiments at the glaciology station S2. Also very importantly the well marked trail and fuel dumps south of S2 made longer trip in 1961, and the 1962 Vostok traverse possible. The caravan constructed by Don Butling (ANEATA) was also to used by future traverses.
Timeline
| 13 Nov 1960 | Traverse support Traxcavator departs from Wilkes |
| 15 Nov 1960 | Main traverse departs Wilkes |
| 29 Nov 1960 | Traverse reaches furthest point south, 289km south of S2 |
| 6 Dec 1960 | Traverse starts return trip after 7 days enforced halt by weather |
| 8 Dec 1960 | Traverse arrives back at S2 |
| 11 Dec 1960 | Traverse arrives back at Wilkes |
Totten Glacier 1962 Autumn Traverse
Members
Robert Thomson - Leader, navigator
Neville Collins - Senior mechanic and Caterpillar driver
Desmond "Pancho" Evans - Mechanic and Caterpillar driver
Don Walker - Seismologist and geophysicist
Vehicles
Goals
Investigate the region south east of Wilkes and lay fuel for a longer spring traverse. The region behind the Totten glacier was found to be heavily crevasedand impracticle for a spring traverse.
Timeline
| 1 Mar 1962 | Totten Traverse departs Wilkes |
| 20 Mar 1962 | Totten Traverse starts return to Wilkes 36 miles south of S2 |
| 23 Mar 1962 | Totten Traverse arrives back at Wilkes |
Vostok 1962 Spring Traverse
Members
Robert Thomson - Leader, navigator, radio operator
Neville Collins - Senior mechanic and Caterpillar driver
Desmond "Pancho" Evans - Mechanic and Caterpillar driver
Don Walker - Seismologist and geophysicist
Alastair Battye - Glaciologist
Danny Foster - Meteorologist
Vehicles
2 Caterpillar D4 tractors (D4 Able and D4 Bravo), and 2 Weasels (Eva and W11). Only D4B and W11 went all the way to Vosotok, with the other 2 vehicles being left 70 miles short. Caravan ANEATA for living quarters.
Goals
Conduct scientific studies (glaciology, meteorology) between Wilkes and Vostok, siginificantly extending the southern most traverses from Wilkes to known observations farther south. This traverse was a great success and is well documented in a book by the leader Robert Thomson, "The Coldest Place on Earth".
Timeline
| 17 Sep 1962 | Vostok Traverse departs Wilkes |
| 5 Nov 1962 | Vostok Traverse recieves fuel by USAP airdrop |
| 18 Nov 1962 | Vostok Traverse arrives Vostok |
| 25 Nov 1962 | Vostok Traverse departs Vostok |
| 14 Jan 1963 | Vostok Traverse arrives back at Wilkes |