Document Actions
A big brother
The McMurdo –South Pole Cargo Traverse arrived today, and it is an entirely different class of traverse: gigantic sleds, and huge prime movers as if from the days of Soviet collective agriculture.
Location: Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
Elevation: 2838 m
Weather: -27 C, 10 kts
This is a train, 7 tractors in all, designed to replace several C-130 flights, hauling fuel for survey aircraft aimed at other regions of the East Antarctic Plateau, and large gear for South Pole Station itself. The staff on the ‘Pole Traverse’ is a bit different as well. A bit more country and western, a bit less Pink Floyd. There is a “get ‘er done” attitude in every member, and indeed it was a struggle for them to get to the pole (fully loaded this year for the first time). The vehicle shown below is called the Case Equipment ‘Grouser’, the largest of the prime mover vehicles.
We continued to prepare food, vehicles, and science gear for repacking for the grand tour. As of yesterday, we had completed our plan for side surveys of the most interesting areas, and our focus now is on getting started. It is amazing to think that the entire cargo encampment we have built around ourselves will all be on the sleds and moving in just a few days. But it will. (“Get ‘er done.”)
The Case Equipment ‘Grouser’. Photo: Ted Scambos.
