THE PUBLICATION OF THE SOCIETY Vol 29, No. 4, 2011 29, No. Vol

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is published quarterly by the New Zealand Antarctic Society Inc. ISSN 0003-5327

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Please address all publication enquiries to: PUBLISHER: Gusto P.O. Box 11994, Manners Street, Wellington Tel (04) 499 9150, Fax (04) 499 9140 Email: [email protected]

EDITOR: Natalie Cadenhead P.O. Box 404, 8140, New Zealand Email: [email protected] 64 ASSISTANT EDITOR: Janet Bray

INDEXER: Mike Wing

PRINTED BY: Format, Wellington NEWS Antarctic round up 61 This publication is printed using vegetable- based inks onto media gloss, which is a stock Dog experience at Bottle Lake Forest Park, sourced from sustainable forests with PEFC Christchurch 63 (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), EMAS (The EU Eco-Management & Audit Scheme) & ISO accreditations. Antarctic is distributed in flow biowrap. BOOK REVIEW Daughters of Erebus by Paul Holmes reviewed by Lester Chaplow 70

Patron of the New Zealand Antarctic Society: Patron: Professor Peter Barrett, 2008. EVENTS Shackleton‘s Captain 67 Immediate Past Patron: Sir .

NEW ZEALAND ANTARCTIC SOCIETY HISTORY Austrians in the Antarctic 62 LIFE MEMBERS The Society recognises with life membership, those people who excel in furthering the Gateways to the Pole 64 aims and objectives of the Society or who have given outstanding service in . An Antarctic Love Story 68 They are elected by vote at the Annual General Meeting and are restricted to 15 life members at any time. TRIBUTES Philip Jon Stephenson 71 Current Life Members by the year elected: 1. Bernard Stonehouse (UK), 1966 Austen Deans 72 2. John Claydon (Canterbury), 1980 3. Jim Lowery (Wellington), 1982 4. Iris Orchard (Canterbury), 1990 ARTS Poem – Not Enough Information 5. Robin Ormerod (Wellington), 1996 by K. Lietva Back cover 6. Eric Gibbs (Wellington), 1997 7. Baden Norris (Canterbury), 2003 8. Bill Cranfield (Canterbury), 2003 9. Randal Heke (Wellington), 2003 10. Bill Hopper (Wellington), 2004 11. Malcolm Laird (Canterbury), 2006 Cover photo: 12. Arnold Heine (Wellington), 2006 on the deck of the , 1917, Middleton collection, Canterbury Museum: 1974.117.13 13. Margaret Bradshaw (Canterbury), 2006 14. Ray Dibble (Wellington), 2008 15. Norman Hardie (Canterbury), 2008 Issue 218 NEWS

Antarctic Round Up

September 2011 Ancient whale jawbone found in Scott Statue Latest News The Last Ocean Short Film Antarctica The Christchurch City Council has Competition In October Argentine scientists announced engaged a heritage engineer to work that they found a jawbone of an ancient with conservator Emily Fryer on the The awards ceremony for the whale in Antarctica that they think earthquake damaged Scott statue. He competition was held on 15 September is perhaps the oldest fully aquatic is beginning work soon and will be in Christchurch. There were several whale yet discovered – estimated at 49 undertaking the engineering required for categories. Simon Havas from Western million years. Marcelo Reguero of the the treated statue to stand up again. Springs College in Auckland won the Argentine Antarctic Institute, who led High School Category and the People’s the expedition, said that the relevance Choice award while Bill Morris won 50 years of Research at the of this discovery is that it’s the oldest both the Open Category and Best Film known completely aquatic whale found with his film titled Captain Scott and A function was held in the Antarctic yet. The team included Argentine the Last Ocean. The films of both Gallery at Canterbury Museum to paleontologist Claudia Tambussi and the winners and the finalists can be celebrate Antarctic research done over Swedish paleontologists Thomas Mors viewed at http://www.lastocean.co.nz/ the last 50 years by researchers from and Jonas Hagstrom of the Natural News/Last-Ocean-Film-Competition- the University of Canterbury. Bryan History Museum in Stockholm. The Winners__I.9405 Storey from Gateway Antarctica gave find could mean that the earliest a summary of some of the highlights whales evolved more quickly from their S.T Lee Lecture in Antarctic Studies of this research and a look into future amphibian precursors than previously research priorities. After this he The Victoria University Foundation thought. presented a crampon on behalf of the in conjunction with the Antarctic NZ TABS team (see Antarctic Vol 29 Research Centre of Victoria University no 1 2011) related to Richard Byrd’s of Wellington hosted a lecture by Steven second Antarctic expedition. Chown from the Centre for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch University, Africa. The lecture titled Lion Griefs in the Shade: Global Change Biology in the Antarctic looked at the signals of rapid environmental change in the apparently pristine biological systems of the terrestrial Antarctic. Chown has worked in the Antarctic region for more Scientists uncovering whale jawbone. than 25 years, with much of his research focusing on biodiversity and its response to climate change, biological invasions, December 2011 and their interactions. Race to the Pole October 2011 This season two British Army teams are competing against each other in the 2011 Sustainable Awards Scott-Amundsen Centenary Race, 1911– Antarctica New Zealand was announced 2011. One will follow Scott’s route from as a finalist in the environment category Cape Evans up the Beardmore , of the 2011 Sustainable 60 Awards, the second one will take Amundsen’s run by Fairfax Media Business Group route from the Bay of Whales up the and PwC, which showcase sustainable . The organiser is business practice in New Zealand. Lt Col Henry Worsley (who completed The winners were announced at the Shackleton’s journey to the Pole in Sustainable 60 Awards evening in 2007/08, up the Beardmore) Function to celebrate 50 years of Antarctic Research. Auckland on 30 November, 2011. For who will also be leading the team up the Images courtesy Wolfgang Rack. more information on the awards see Axel Heiberg. For more information www.sustainable60.co.nz see: www.scottamundsenrace.org

Vol 29, No. 4, 2011 61 HISTORY

Austrians in the Antarctic By Ursula Rack January 2011, was the 25th anniversary of an attempt by six Austrians, to reach the Antarctic and to climb Mount Minto (4,163 m) the highest mountain of the Admiralty Range, Victoria Land. Their attempt failed. They lost their ship in the ice and the ship and their dreams sank to the bottom of the . ustria has a tradition in . Carl Weyprecht, Aa German who served in the Austrian Navy in the mid nineteenth century, invented the first (1882-1883). Austrians were often participants, mostly as mountaineers, on polar expeditions. In 1914, an Austrian explorer, Felix König, tried to investigate the Weddell Sea. In Left: Aboard the Southern Quest (left to right): Steve Broni, Giles Kershaw, Graham Phippen, Peter Malcolm, Rebecca contrast to Sir who Ward, John Elder, Ted Addicott, Kurt Czech, Sarah Robert-Tissot, Edi Frosch, Bruno Klausbruckner, Peter Robb, Lynn Davis (sitting), Thea de Moel, Wolfgang, Axt, William Fenton, Ric Mason (front), Andrew Robert-Tissot, David Iggulden, Daryl did his expedition at the same Jones, Ed Saunier, Tim Lovejoy. Image from: In the Footsteps of Scott, 1987:83 time, König’s plans were destroyed by the Right: The Southern Quest sinking with the crew and all equipment sitting on the sea ice. Image from: In the Footsteps outbreak of World War I. of Scott, 1987:89 Nearly 70 years later, Bruno kilometres separated the ship from the 1986, at the position 76° 56, 8’ South, Klausbruckner and his five companions Antarctic mainland but, not being able 167° 13’ East. One hour later, ironically, prepared an expedition in the Antarctic. to land the ship continued on to Beaufort the ice broke and the passage was free for Expedition leader, Klausbruckner was Island. They had to unload a plane on shipping again. The crew erected a camp accompanied by Wolfgang Axt, a an ice floe which was risky, but on 10 on the ice floe and activated a salvaged mountaineer and photographer; Kurt January, the plane, a Cessna 185, made radio. Personnel at McMurdo Station, Czech, a mountaineer and physician; its first observation flight. The pilot, Giles only 80 km away from the scene of Eduard Frosch, a scientist and second Kershaw, hoped to reach the . accident, heard the radio message. navigator; Werner Hölzl, a cameraman They headed North towards Cape A day later helicopters from the and mechanic; and Leopold Krenn, the Hallett. On 11 January at about 8 pm United States Coast Guard flew the crew second in command, first navigator and the Southern Quest became trapped to Beaufort Island and then to Cape radio operator. in the ice. Three and a half hours later, Bird on Ross Island and from there to The preparations for the Austrian heavy ice put pressure onto the ship. The McMurdo Station. The operation took expedition to Mount Minto started men tried to free the ship with ineffective about four hours. The 23 crew members in 1982 with an exercise expedition attempts like removing the ice around and the Austrians were safe but they in to test the equipment the ship or winding it back to the open lost all their equipment and could keep and the condition of the participants. sea with a capstan against an iceberg. only few personal items. On 15 January They reached, in the same year, Heard Nothing worked. the six mountaineers were brought to Island in the sub-Antarctic and this At 10.15 pm the ship was damaged Christchurch and they flew back to gave them their first experiences of the and water penetrated the storage area. Austria three days later. This was the end conditions they might encounter on The crew tried to save equipment and of the Austrian expedition. The attempt the continent. Their plan for the main personal items, like diaries and sleeping which started with such hope and expedition was developed. After the bags. The evacuation started at 11.30 enthusiasm ended on the bottom of the usual preparations which included the pm and everybody tried to save as much sea within a few minutes. search for the right ship, they started as possible, but the situation became In the same year, starting from on 12 December 1985; two days later precarious and dangerous for the crew. Lyttelton, New Zealand, Klausbruckner they reached Hobart in Australia, Wires caught fire, short circuiting and four Austrian mountaineers made a their starting point for the expedition. the electrical systems. The generators second attempt to climb Mount Minto The ship Southern Quest, had 23 stopped working and with the light gone and also wished to run a scientific crew members as well as the six Austrian that was the end of the Southern Quest. program in conjunction with the climbing expedition members on board. She left Two minutes before the ship finally atempt, but their ship Aurora arrived Macquarie Island on 1 January 1986. sank came the order to abandon the ship. at Cape Hallett too late in the season After five days they encountered Everybody was rescued, but the ship when the ice conditions were unsuitable. icebergs and pack ice. They tried to started to break through the ice and after They therefore had to give up their plans land at Cape Hallett but the attempt 20 seconds it disappeared. That happened and returned to Austria without having failed because of the ice. Only fifteen four minutes after midnight, 12 January achieved their goal.

Photograph courtesy of Cliff Atkins

62 Issue 218 NEWS

The Dog Experience. Images courtesy Margaret Bradshaw. Dog experience at Bottle Lake Forest Park, Christchurch By Sue Stubenvol

In December 2011 Mark Roberts from K9Natural Food Ltd introduced around 30 Antarctic Society members and University of Canterbury PCAS students to the pleasures of dog-sledding.

ark is Nutrition Manager for K9Natural, which Mark explained that, because the dogs are well separated recently won an award as the fastest growing on the traces to stop them attacking each other, the lead dog Mcompany in New Zealand, with growing may reach a fork in the track before the driver even sees it exports. K9 make dog food from all natural materials so must be smart enough to understand directions received and they aim to put your dog in touch with its inner wolf. in advance. He then showed us how the harnesses were put By the time we all arrived at Bottle Lake Car Park, onto the dogs without letting them loose and three dogs were Mark had laid out his two trace lines and had three beautiful soon clipped in a connected fan to the front of a wheeled race Siberian huskies attached to each line with two more clipped cart. Three youngsters then climbed into the baggage cage and to the kennel trailer. The dogs were friendly and in excellent off they set at a grand pace, the dogs obviously as excited as condition, even one aged 15, so while Mark described the passengers at being out for a run. the breed, their food, care, harnesses, traces, bootees and A second run took out another volunteer and then, sadly, selection, several families played with the dogs who responded the dogs and Mark had to leave as work meant he couldn’t enthusiastically. He told us that the dogs rarely got sick stay for the Society picnic, a happy affair enjoyed by members as their diet was so completely suitable for their needs. from four years old to around 80, sharing treats in the The scene reminded us that Amundsen reached the South Pole warm, evening sun. Mark swapped stories, from his father’s by dog- just 100 years ago. years working for BAS, with several fellow Antarcticans. Among the eight dogs we heard how silver eyed dogs can His keenness to join the Society won him a 50% contribution have difficulty protecting their eyes from snow-blindness, towards his initial membership for being the first to seek while the darker eyed dogs fare better. Most dogs were new membership at the meeting. Later, several members shedding their warm winter coats for the summer and Mark recalled their experience with dogs in Antarctica and showed us the difference between the thick undercoat and John Parsloe showed photos of himself with black, Elvis sleek topcoat. There were two lead dogs: one silver-black with sideboards facing a huge dog in the early 1980’s. He also a strong personality and the other a chestnut-brown with good brought a model sledge made with authentic materials to intelligence but a less dominant personality. This configuration scale by one of New Zealand’s last sled makers after their allows Mark to compete and train with two separate teams end had been signaled by a decision to ban dogs from the or one large team. He enjoys racing and the dogs respond best Antarctic continent. to longer distances, from 20–80 km, especially over snow.

Vol 29, No. 4, 2011 63 HISTORY

Above: Otway still frozen up after the descent. Above top: Summit survey station on , -29°C and Above: McGregor scanning for a route through the . All images courtesy Peter Otway. 20 knots wind - ie cold! (Otway observing, Herbert booking). Above: Apolotok’s well earned rest after the 1200 km journey. Gateways to the Pole: Mapping Amundsen and Scott’s routes through the Trans-Antarctic Mountains fifty years later

By Peter Otway

he fourteenth of December 2011 1929 when returning from the first ever preparing the dogs and field gear for marks the day when, exactly flight to the Pole. the coming season. Although we made T100 years earlier, man first This was the fabled history of the an aerial reconnaissance several days stood at the South Pole. That explorer region the four-man 1961–62 Southern before entering the field it was of limited was the Norwegian, , Party was assigned – indeed privileged value. The pilot, not having a reliable accompanied by his four companions – to explore and map under New map to navigate by, was virtually and remaining dogs. Five weeks later Zealand’s Reconnaissance Mapping lost – and so were we. We would be a weary Captain Robert Scott and Programme. The region comprised a embarking on a mission into famous his four men painfully dragging their varied terrain of plateau and nunataks, but virtually unknown territory. Our own sledges arrived, devastated to mountains, dry areas and of 95 day mission would not only prove find the Norwegian flag already flying the Queen Maud Range, stretching to be a true physical and mental test but at the Pole. Scott had endured the 250 km eastward from the mighty turn out to be one of the most satisfying long, hard struggle up the seemingly Beardmore to the small but spectacular and rewarding experiences of my life – endless, crevassed Axel Heiberg, and about 200 km now just a memory but still fresh today through the Trans-Antarctic Mountains, north to the coast. Our team was to half a century later. following the route pioneered by Ernest be led by , a Brit with On 6 November 1961 our team Shackleton on his own heroic, but failed, already more than two years sledging was landed by VX6 on the Plateau just attempt three years earlier. Armchair experience in Grahamland, with Vic south of the prominent feature dividing explorers could only assume that McGregor, a bright and enthusiastic the head of the Mill Glacier we dubbed Amundsen, who ascended the previously geology graduate as geologist, Kevin “Mill Island” (later officially renamed unknown Axel Heiberg Glacier and left Pain, an experienced Mt Cook guide as the Otway Massif – with no prompting only the sketchiest description of his our field assistant, and myself, a recently by its “owner”!). Jumping out of the route, must have found a much easier qualified land surveyor and a keen skier old R4D (the US Navy’s modified DC3), way up onto the Polar Plateau. For fifty as the surveyor. Herbert and I had both we were immediately struck by the icy years this glacier remained a mystery, spent the previous season as assistant -32° C breeze and soon felt the effect of seen only once again briefly, when surveyors but in separate field parties, the 2,600 m altitude as we hurried to Admiral Richard Byrd flew down it in and then wintered over at Scott Base unload all our gear and provisions for

64 Issue 218 HISTORY

Avove: A Plateau lunch – Vic McGregor, Peter Otway, Avove: Unloading at altitude of 2,560m, just south of Otway Massif. Kevin Pain and Wally Herbert.

55 days along with 18 enthusiastic dogs. reading and fall sleep to the sound of and glaciers to the coast and Mt Kyffin With a mighty blast from the JATO (jet the flapping tent and hissing snow with 130 km distant. Another notable site assisted take-off) rockets underneath, hoar frost raining down from the walls. was Barnum Peak at the head of the Liv the R4D finally lumbered into the sky For nearly three months we Glacier which Byrd, on 29 November leaving us utterly alone on the edge of a followed Herbert’s carefully formulated 1929, had flown beneath as he struggled vast plain of snow. We picketed the dogs plan, based on my requirements for up the glacier towards the Pole in 1929, on their wire span and pitched our two a sound survey, skirting around the jettisoning surplus fuel and emergency tents – Camp 1 on the Polar Plateau. edge of the Plateau systematically gear to gain critical altitude. Our most Our own challenge was about to begin! establishing twelve survey stations on memorable experience was the 17 hour Our first task was to establish prominent mountain tops over 3,000 marathon climb of Mt Fridtjof Nansen, Station A on the 3,200 m high western m in elevation, with further, low level, overlooking the Axel Heiberg Glacier summit of the nearby massif. This stations and two baselines for scale, to and, in extreme discomfort, establishing operation, in a sub-zero wind, became triangulate and intersect control points not one but four survey stations in a typical of most of our high stations: from the Plateau to the coast. Sledging -29º C rising gale for unobstructed views tramp and climb for at least four hours between stations, or relaying up to 500 of distant features from the frustratingly to reach the site, set up the theodolite kg of gear, food, fuel and the growing flat summit. At an altitude of 4070 m, and take precise horizontal and vertical pile of geological specimens, was often Fridtjof Nansen became the highest angles to at least 20 selected points, a tough going over the cold, gritty snow, mountain yet climbed in Antarctica – photo panorama to fix minor features hard sastrugi and occasional glare but that seemed a very dubious reward and make astronomical observations ice, resulting in scratched and, on two at the time. (my job), recorded, identified and occasions broken, sledge runners. The A major concern, starting with a labelled on a sketched panorama (by exertion also resulted in the death from five day Christmas blizzard with food Herbert or Pain). We would have to suspected heart attack of two older running seriously low, was the sudden stop frequently to jump around clapping dogs, brothers Joe and Dismal, only two deterioration of the weather, which hands to restore circulation to frozen weeks apart. The days spent relaying until then had been generally fine, albeit limbs, fingers and faces, muttering heavy loads in cold or white-out windy and cold. The weather remained something about this being the coldest conditions were often boring, with our in “monsoon” mode, milder (-13 to job on earth. Meanwhile geologist minds far away, lightened only by the -23º C), and with 33 of the remaining McGregor would be working on the friendship of our fury companions and 43 days on the Plateau rated as either snow free ground of the mountaintop their amusing antics. whiteout or full blizzard, causing systematically identifying and collecting In compensation, many of the views frustration and anxiety as we painfully rock specimens, recording their bedding from the high stations – each one on a worked our way around the crevassed and location and searching for fossils virgin peak – were truly magnificent. neves of the Shackleton and Liv Glaciers – an operation that “hit the jackpot” For instance, the view from Mt Mills in towards the Axel Heiberg, sometimes at only our second station when he the and Mt Usher 60 working in short bursts but at other discovered the first ever Triassic fossils km to the northeast was breathtaking, times up to 34 hours on the move in a in Antarctica: many well preserved ferns overlooking the full length and breadth big push to complete the survey and keep and conifers in shales of the Beacon of the notorious Beardmore Glacier. moving the depot forward. The survey group and an impressive coal seam – Scanning the contorted Shackleton and geology were finally completed on convincing evidence of a bygone semi Icefalls, my respect soared for the 26 January. (The computations and the tropical clime. Finally, all would join dogged determination of Shackleton, mapping from the US Navy’s trimetrogon in to build a 1.5 to 2 m high cairn Scott and their companions man aerial photography, extending over to mark the station. Finally, after four to hauling their sledges up the 220 km 50,000sq km, were completed by six hours on the mountaintop came the length of the glacier, past “as Herbert and myself six months later, long trudge back to camp, feed the dogs, big as Fleet Street”, en route to the and published at 1:250,000 by Lands make the daily radio sked with Scott Pole. Then weeks later, standing beside & Survey Department in 1964, finally Base, transmitting in Morse code. Then our puffing dogs on the 3,580 m snow putting on an accurate map the gateways wriggle into the double sleeping bag summit, later named Husky Dome to the Pole of some of the world’s most as the dogs had their evening “howlo” (becoming the highest point reached famous explorers.) and prepare a dinner of hot soup and by dogs in Antarctica), we had our first A looming uncertainty as the season meat bar stew, diary writing, bedtime sweeping view down over mountains progressed was how the team was to

Vol 29, No. 4, 2011 65 HISTORY

be picked up at the end of the season. at Mt Fridtjof Nansen, looming over on exactly the same spot – the only It was clear from the start that even a 2,000 m above us, to the summit we safe area in sight. We concluded from lightly loaded R4D would struggle to had stood on just 18 days earlier for our the brief description in his book South take off from the Plateau. Herbert, when first view of the glacier. On the opposite Pole that the topography and his original plan, backed by Sir Vivian side, stood ice clad Mt Don Pedro patterns of the glacier had changed Fuchs, to sledge the 500 km to the South Christopherson. The view down the very little in 50 years and that we must Pole station and “hitch” a ride back in glacier was far more sobering. have been have been following an an empty Hercules C130 was scuttled, Below us lay a 1 in 5 slope and identical route – in fact, the only route instead proposed sledging down to the beyond that, a river of contorted ice. – for much of our descent. The only Ice Shelf via the Axel Heiberg Glacier. Amundsen himself had exclaimed: obvious difference was the hard snow After all, Amundsen had proved it The wilderness of the landscape is that he commented on, allowing him possible exactly 50 years earlier despite not to be described: chasm after chasm, to ascend the glacier, incredibly, in two its daunting icefalls. Even after six crevasse after crevasse, with great blocks short days, compared to the extremely weeks of protracted radio messages of ice scattered promiscuously about, soft snow that had cost us four days (all in Morse code) to Scott Base, who gave one the impression that here nature to descend. Being clear of the bottom were discussing the various options was too powerful for us. we now had a relatively easy with Antarctic Division, Admiral Tyree And when Herbert and McGregor downhill run on firm snow, dodging the and VX6, the route was still considered were about to search for a route through large, regular crevasses and covering too hazardous despite Herbert and the maze Herbert recorded: “At first I the last 16 km to the foot of the glacier. McGregor actually flagging a safe route could not believe that Amundsen had Herbert was finally, after a prolonged on skis through the icefalls. Permission made his way through the confusion radio blackout, able to report our safe was finally given only after Charles of gigantic crevasses and icefalls below descent to Scott Base – to the obvious Swithinbank, a highly experienced us,” adding, as an avalanche thundered relief of all. Our last day’s sledging of glaciologist working on the Ice Shelf down off Fridtjof Nansen onto the far 25 km brought us to our final camp, nearby, backed Herbert’s plan. The side of the glacier just as Amundsen had on a flat, crevasse free area close to descent of the Axel Heiberg would be described, “Maybe he didn’t come that Mt Betty. Our journey was at an end, the icing on the cake – if we could do it! way after all!” It was therefore a relief our 16 wonderful companions, the Commencing our run late next day to know that he and McGregor had dogs, having tirelessly hauled their from the head of the glacier at 2,800 m, already skied down through the icefalls sledges for a total of 1200 km. Two our sledges immediately raced down the 11 days earlier and found Amundsen’s days later, at 8 pm on 8 February 1962, first snow covered icefall, despite the “little connected line among the many we were safely picked up by R4D, rope brakes wrapped around the runners crevasses”. It was still there, a sinuous, sledging into Scott Base just in time to avoid overtaking the galloping dogs. narrow pressure ridge running right for breakfast the following morning. Fortunately all ended well about 300 m through the major icefall. So that’s how So, after all that, who did we lower and, for almost the first time in he did it. Now all we had to do was consider had the toughest job gaining 87 days, we found ourselves out of the follow the flags – in theory at least! access to the Polar Plateau: Scott cursed Plateau wind. We camped there, Next morning, in brilliant weather, or Amundsen? That would be akin under Mt Ole Engelstad, in virtually we were off down the first, steep to comparing chalk with cheese, the same spot as Amundsen on his section, almost immediately out of the challenges of the two glaciers way back from the Pole 50 years and control despite all our rope brakes, my being such a contrast. Ironically, I one month earlier, surrounded by the sledge overtaking the dogs and dragging feel, the glaciers perfectly suited the same majestic mountains and tumbling them behind us acting as remarkably temperament of each explorer: Scott’s icefalls he described. Unfortunately for effective snow anchors. The next section route up the Beardmore (and beyond) us the sledging conditions did not match followed the flagged route winding was a long, heroic struggle full of the scenery, for the next day found between the numerous gaping blue- hardships; Amundsen’s Axel Heiberg sledges, dogs and men wallowing in black crevasses, up and down over route, which he almost stumbled upon deep, soft snow. Geologist McGregor, partially collapsed snow bridges. The and described as “looking appalling”, having run out of rocks to view, now main danger as we zig-zagged along the may well have looked impossible to proved to be an excellent lead dog as we narrow ridge between them was that anyone but a hardened, iron willed heaved and pushed our way across the one dog team might be tempted to take explorer such as himself. It is interesting gently sloping terrace, finally camping a short cut to join its friends on the far to speculate whether Scott, had he exhausted after only 10 km. What a side of a yawning cavern big enough to been man-hauling up the same route, contrast to the hard surface Amundsen swallow us all. Somehow we managed would have attempted it – or been described racing across! The following to avoid disaster, but our relief was successful if he had. I am confident day was even worse, having to offload short lived as we bogged down once of one point: A highly experienced half our gear and relay, gaining a total more and had to relay through the next sledging man such as Amundsen using of only 5.3 km before camping, but it crevasse field. well trained dog teams would have had finally brought us to the top of the That evening, as we compared two had a clear advantage over anyone middle icefall at 2,000 m elevation. of Amundsen’s photos from his camp man-hauling regardless of their deter- To compensate, the scenery by now site with the scene around us it became mination and courage. was absolutely superb as we looked up clear that we had once again camped

66 Issue 218 EVENTS

Images from the film Shackleton’s Captain. Images courtesy James Heyward, Making Movies. Shackleton‘s Captain The crew looked to Shackleton to lead them; Shackleton looked to Worsley to save them

n 1914 Sir Ernest Shackleton’s master sailor navigated expedition. While researching for the Imperial Trans Antarctic Expedition in the worst conditions imaginable; biography of Frank Worsley; Iheaded for Antarctica and disaster. rogue waves, ice bergs and a hurricane in Shackleton’s Captain, the author, John The book Shackleton’s Captain, and a journey modern sailors consider to be Thomson, discovered personal letters, now the film of the same name set out to one of the greatest sailing voyages of photos, lecture notes and a diary in the reveal the truth behind the spectacular all time. house where Worsley died. This material rescue of the Weddell Sea Party and Worsley, Shackleton and the four informed an insider-perspective on show how one man’s extra-ordinary crew survived storms, freezing cold events surrounding the expedition and skills and unsung heroism made it conditions and mountainous seas before the critical role played by Worsley. The possible: Frank Worsley, Captain of the they finally reached the barren coastline book Shackleton’s Captain recounted expedition ship, Endurance. of South Georgia. Hurricane winds the life of an extraordinary man and Worsley was faced with seem- forced them to land at a beach on the now the film brings Worsley’s story to ingly insurmountable odds when the opposite side of the island to where the life. Endurance became trapped in the pack whaling station lay and Worsley had to The film is being produced by ice off the coast of Antarctica. The ship call on his extraordinary skills a second Making Movies Ltd of Auckland in was slowly crushed, forcing Worsley time; he had no map of the island with collaboration with Gubrueder Beetz of and his crew to abandon ship. They which to navigate their route across Germany. Directed by Leanne Pooley spent the next ten months living on the the mountainous interior. Without any and produced by James Heywood ice floe before rowing three life boats to alpine equipment, totally inadequate the film includes elaborate recreations a desolate rock called . clothing and almost no food or water of the voyage of the James Caird The men were facing slow Worsley, Shackleton and set and original material by expedition in the freezing cold and with no rescue off to cross the mountains and glaciers photographer . With Lord in sight Worsley, Shackleton and four to the whaling station and help where of the Rings actor Craig Parker as crew were forced to risk everything by they organized a rescue party. After Captain Frank Worsley, and members sailing one of the tiny life boats eight nearly two years on the ice not a single of the New Zealand Antarctic Society hundred miles across the Southern man had perished. The expedition was as extra’s this docu-adventure is a not Ocean to the small island of South a disaster, the rescue story one of the to miss. It is planned to screen in Georgia where they hoped to find greatest in history. Germany and France early in 2012 help at a Norwegian whaling station. An important discovery sheds before appearing on New Zealand Twenty eight lives were in the balance as new light on events surrounding the television.

Vol 29, No. 4, 2011 67 HISTORY

An Antarctic Love Story By Kerry McCarthy

Antarctic history is not all about men straining across expanses of ice. It is sometimes found in unexpected places, like this

photograph taken by H H Clifford at his lushly-appointed Miss B Curlett, H H Clifford photograph, Christchurch studio around 1910.1 Canterbury Museum, 1980.175.21123

lifford’s vast output of negatives Navy Rating who joined the Discovery gaps. It is a prize-winning piece from is now an important part expedition by chance in South Africa, the British Evening Standard’s ‘Real Cof Canterbury Museum’s and went on to play a significant role in Life Love Stories’ competition. The Pictorial Collections, carrying with it sledging (including the care and training author is anonymous, but could only four decades of Christchurch faces. of the dogs) on the Nimrod and the be Beatrice, and the story is illustrated At first glance, there is little to set this of Shackleton’s Imperial with one of Clifford’s photographs of photograph of a well-dressed young Trans-Antarctic Expedition. When they her Samoyed, this time captioned with woman and her dog apart from the married, Joyce was 41 and Beatrice 36, his name – Erebus – one of the dogs tens of thousands of others in the and they would spend the next two born in Antarctica in 1908. Under the collection, and certainly nothing decades together, riding out the bumpy headline, ‘Shackleton’s Sledge Dog to link it to Antarctic exploration. years of Joyce’s post-Antarctic career, Brought an Antarctic Explorer a Bride.’ Looking more closely, however, we until his death in London in 1940. Soon the story relates that the writer, as realise that hers is no ordinary lap after, Beatrice returned to New Zealand might be expected for a well-connected dog, but a Samoyed. The breed was to live with her mother in Hastings, young lady, was part of the reception largely unknown in Christchurch at bringing with her Joyce’s Antarctic committee that boarded the Nimrod to the time, but Samoyeds were the first memorabilia, including photographs, welcome the explorers back to Lyttelton dogs taken to Antarctica, by Carsten papers, medals and the skin of one of the in March 1909, while a crowd of 20,000 Borchgrevink on the Southern Cross. Ross Sea Party dogs, Gunner. She cared looked on from the wharf. She was The expedition’s 30 surviving dogs for these objects until her own death in presented with Erebus by an expedition were unloaded at Stewart Island on its 1966, following which most were sold member and kept up correspondence return to New Zealand in 1900. Most or donated to collectors, including two with this man for several years, but were eventually destroyed but several, public repositories in New Zealand.5 eventually things went quiet. mainly white, dogs were kept and bred But all of this was nearly a decade In 1917, following the return of from by the Traill family at Ringaringa.2 away when Beatrice visited Mr Clifford the Ross Sea Party, the story relates In 1907 Shackleton purchased nine with her dog, the quality and associated that Shackleton and this, still unnamed, descendants of the Borchegrevink expense of the four studio portraits she man were standing in the porch of their dogs for use on the British Antarctic ordered speaking both of her position hotel in Christchurch when Erebus came Expedition, aboard the Nimrod, in society and the significance of the walking by.7 The man, who was, of which duly returned to Christchurch’s gift to her.6 In the intervening years, course, Ernest Joyce, gave the Antarctic port at Lyttelton in March 1909.3 Joyce would live in Australia, return food call and Erebus bounded up, The dog, then, easily sparks to England, and experience his closest apparently immediately recognised by thoughts of Antarctic exploration, but brush with death during the exploits of the explorers, and given shelter by them. what about the woman, and how did the Ross Sea Party. Does this photograph Beatrice, meanwhile, was concerned this sledge-hauling machine find itself suggest that there was a connection at the disappearance of her dog and beside her on a park bench in a society between Beatrice and Joyce dating back when the hotel called her several days photographer’s studio? Like all of to the Nimrod, and perhaps even that later, she was taken aback to find him Clifford’s negatives, the sitter’s name is he left such an impression that she was in the company of Shackleton and her written in ink on the edge of the glass willing to wait out all these years and former correspondent. She managed to plate – Miss B Curlett. This was Beatrice, all these adventures in order to marry convince Erebus to return to her, and the eldest daughter of businessman her real-life Antarctic hero? The answer also rekindled her friendship with Joyce, Houston Curlett, resident at the genteel is ‘sort of’. Their love story was a little leading to their marriage and, at the time and leafy periphery of the town on less Mills & Boon, but compelling of writing, twelve years of travelling the the edge of Hagley Park.4 In 1917, she nonetheless, and a newspaper clipping world with him.8 would become Mrs Beatrice Joyce, the among the Joyce papers at the Alexander The couple moved first to Australia wife of Ernest Mills Joyce, a British Turnbull Library fills in some of the (presumably parting company with

68 Issue 218 HISTORY

Erebus), where Joyce worked as a Street, Westminster, only a minute’s walk Although an ex-Navy Rating turned mine manager in Queensland and as a from the hotel.9 hotel porter might not have been the travelling salesman. They relocated to Joyce’s best-known Antarctic legacy husband Houston Curlett had in mind London in 1920 as part of the plans by is The South Polar Trail, a version of for his daughter, Antarctica and the Ross Sea Party physician, John Cope, for his Ross Sea Party sledging log which heroic myth of its exploration, created a British Imperial Antarctic Expedition. was published in 1929. The book a scenario in which this marriage The expedition failed to gain support but is dedicated to Beatrice’s mother,10 was quite acceptable and, more Joyce and Beatrice remained in London and Erebus appears again, illustrated importantly, where Beatrice and Joyce where Joyce obtained permission from with the same Clifford photograph, could work happily and intensively Shackleton to undertake a lantern even though he was not part of the together towards establishing their lecture series using photographs and, expedition the book discusses.11 Beatrice little piece of it. Beatrice found her own initially, film from the Imperial Trans- and Erebus are an enduring and overt Antarctic adventure by accompanying Antarctic expedition. He proceeded over part of Joyce’s Antarctic persona, and her husband on his lecture tours and the next decade or so along a faltering editorial markings on the manuscript of participating in his drive to claim his Miss B Curlett, H H Clifford photograph, Canterbury Museum, 1980.175.21123 path through various schemes aimed this and other pieces of writing by Joyce place in history. Although she never at regaining or trading on his explorer in the Turnbull Library suggest that set foot there and never strained across notoriety. These included planning his Beatrice may also have been an active an expanse of ice, Antarctica also own Antarctic expedition departing participant in its shaping. Certainly, she shaped Beatrice’s life, and without her, from South Africa, volunteering for an continued to amass Antarctic-related and perhaps without Erebus, Ernest attempt on Mt Everest, scheming an air newspaper clippings after his death, and Joyce might not have found even the expedition to the , and selling to advocate on her husband’s behalf.12 relatively marginal notoriety he enjoys furs at the Ideal Homes Exhibition. In Joyce’s sea-going nickname was in Antarctic history today. these turbulent circumstances, Joyce Joycey,13 and Beatrice was known also needed a day job, and during the affectionately to her family as Aunt 1930s he worked as a liftman porter Joycey.14 Her great nephew, Bruce at the Eccleston Hotel in London. In Curlett, recalls visiting her as a teenager fact, legend has it that Joyce eventually and being shown the Antarctic treasures, passed away in his room at the Aunt Joycey ever determined that her Eccleston, having gone to sleep on the husband’s story be kept alive. His floor, as was apparently his custom, impression is that Joyce and Beatrice in his old reindeer skin sleeping bag. had a very close marriage and that Ernest Joyce and a Samoyed on the Family recollections, however, suggest when she returned to New Zealand as deck of the Nimrod, ca 1909 (could this be Erebus?) Lyttelton Historical that Joyce passed away at the home he a widow, she had lost much of her own Society Museum collection, shared with his wife at 52 Gillingham interest in life.15 Canterbury Museum: 2003.76.40

References Footnotes Anonymous. “Shackleton’s Sledge Dog Brought an 1 The studio was above Beath & Co.’s Department Store at 171 Cashel Street, Wise’s Antarctic Explorer a Bride.” Evening Standard Undated Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Westland Directory, 16th Issue, 1908–09, (Dunedin and ca 1929, Ernest Edward Mills Joyce papers, Alexander Christchurch, New Zealand: Wise’s Directories, 1909), 371. Turnbull Library, Wellington. 2 Baden Norris, “Canine Explorers on Ice,” Christchurch Press, 1 November 1985. Curlett, Bruce. “Letter to Kerry Mccarthy.” 9 March 3 Several pups were born during the expedition, resulting in a total of 22 dogs used on the ice. 2009. Ernest Shackleton, The Heart of the Antarctic Being the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition ———. Telephone interview, 7 May 2009. 1907–1909, 2 vols., vol. 1 (London: William Heinemann, 1909), 23–24. Joyce, Beatrice. “Letter to Robert Falla.” In Ernest 4 The family lived at 184 Salisbury Street. Wise’s Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Westland Edward Mills Joyce papers. Alexander Turnbull Directory, 16th Issue, 1908–09, 387. Library, Wellington, ca 1958. 5 The Joyce papers are now held by the Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington, and Joyce’s Joyce, Ernest E Mills. “Joycey.” In Ernest Edward Mills photographs and most of his medals by Canterbury Museum in Christchurch. Joyce papers. Wellington, Alexander Turnbull Library, 6 Two show Beatrice and the dog, and two just the dog (see figure 2). H H Clifford Collection, Undated, ca 1930. Canterbury Museum references 1980.175.21122, 1980.175.21123, 1980.175.21124, ———. The South Polar Trail: The Log of the Imperial 1980.175.21125 Trans-Antarctic Expedition. London: Duckworth, 7 This was Cokers Hotel in Manchester Street, about 2.5 km from the Curlett residence. 1929. 8 Anonymous, “Shackleton’s Sledge Dog Brought an Antarctic Explorer a Bride,” Evening McCarthy, Kerry. “Thinking with Photographs at the Standard Undated ca 1929, Ernest Edward Mills Joyce papers, Alexander Turnbull Library, Margins of Antarctic Exploration.” PhD, University of Wellington, folder 18. Canterbury, 2011. 9 For a fuller discussion of Joyce’s life and career see Kerry McCarthy, “Thinking with “Newspaper Clippings.” In Ernest Edward Mills Joyce Photographs at the Margins of Antarctic Exploration” (PhD, University of Canterbury, 2011). papers. Wellington, Alexander Turnbull Library, ca 10 Ernest E Mills Joyce, The South Polar Trail: The Log of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1958. (London: Duckworth, 1929), 4. Norris, Baden. “Canine Explorers on Ice.” Christchurch 11 Ibid., facing p. 182. Press, 1 November 1985. 12 See “Newspaper Clippings,” in Ernest Edward Mills Joyce papers (Wellington, Alexander Shackleton, Ernest. The Heart of the Antarctic Being Turnbull Library: ca 1958), folder 20.and Beatrice Joyce, “Letter to Robert Falla,” in Ernest the Story of the British Antarctic Expedition 1907– Edward Mills Joyce papers (Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington: ca 1958), Folder 5. 1909. 2 vols. Vol. 1. London: William Heinemann, 13 Ernest E Mills Joyce, “Joycey,” in Ernest Edward Mills Joyce papers (Wellington, Alexander 1909. Turnbull Library: Undated, ca 1930). Wise’s Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and 14 Bruce Curlett, “Letter to Kerry McCarthy,” (9 March 2009). Westland Directory, 16th Issue, 1908–09. Dunedin and Christchurch, New Zealand: Wise’s Directories, 1909. 15 Bruce Curlett, Telephone interview, 7 May 2009.

Vol 29, No. 4, 2011 69 BOOK REVIEW

Daughters of Erebus

By Paul Holmes

A high profile author has a problem: people will tend to view his or her book, with the same view they have of the author. Holmes is one who people either love or loathe. I suspect their view of this book will follow their view of the author.

aughters of Erebus is the story references directed to the “dear of the wife and daughters of reader”. His constant comments about DCaptain Jim Collins, pilot simplifying things, and “don’t worry, of Air New Zealand flight TE901, I’ll explain” severely under estimate which crashed on on 28 a reader’s ability to decide issues November 1979. Holmes re-tells the for themself. The omission of the story of the accident, and the aftermath, many, many instances where text is through the lives of Maria Collins and foreshadowed or, just as frequently, her four daughters, Kathryn, Elizabeth, repeated, would allow the book to be Philippa, and Adrienne. shortened by 20% or so. Most New Zealanders over 40 Those people with an interest will know the story of the accident, in, or a knowledge of, the Erebus and many will have lost family or crash will find nothing new here, friends. This book is an attempt to other than the very moving telling clear the actions of the pilot and crew, of the grief and bewilderment of and vindicate their actions. In an open the Collins family following the letter to the Parliament of New Zealand, loss of their husband and father. Holmes calls for a parliamentary In this respect the book narrows motion of exoneration for Captain Jim down to the loss of one family, to Collins and First Officer Greg Cassin. the almost total exclusion of all The book follows the lead-up to the those many other families who series of Antarctic flights, the flight also lost their loved ones. This itself, and the accident, and then the book differs from other books investigation, the Royal Commission on the subject, in its recounting from and court cases which followed. the perspective of the families involved. A lot has already been written This reviewer knows of two other Holmes writes here as a journalist, about the final flight of TE901, and books in publication, with Erebus as the not an author, and the book suffers the definitive book remains Stuart theme, both fictional, but both looking as a consequence. If you like him on Macfarlane’s The Erebus Papers at the accident from the point of view of television and radio, you will enjoy this (Auckland: Avon, 1991). Daughters of the loss of a family member. book. Despite my initial misgivings, Erebus weaves a very human story of This is a book that had to wait I enjoyed the book more than I wanted a family’s loss against the background over 30 years to be written, as many to, but for me, the family’s story was of a tragedy. Holmes has researched his of the key people involved in the post- the most important part of the book, topic well over a period of two years, crash investigation and court actions and I was particularly moved by Pip’s using published records, interviews, have now died, and this allows Holmes actions on her return from a visit to and voluminous files of papers from to have an open field in his attack the Ice. Read on. Macfarlane, the Collins family, and on many of them, including Morrie the widow and son of Justice Peter Davis (then head of Air New Zealand), Mahon who conducted the Royal Ron Chippendale (the Air Accident Commission. The book is supported by Investigator), and Sir Robert Muldoon an unobtrusive reference section giving (the Prime Minister at the time). sources, a bibliography, and an index. In contrast, Holmes lavishes praise on I read a review recently which Justice Peter Mahon. Holmes’ writing reported that the author “recreates uses the same approach of many that he the feeling of sitting across from a decries. He states “it is so,” and will not learned colleague and hearing about discuss any other alternatives – exactly Published by Hodder Moa, 2011 fascinating and detailed research”. what he accuses others, particularly RRP: $49.99 Holmes writes in a chatty, but rather Ron Chippendale, of doing in his ISBN 978-1-86971-250-1 condescending style, with numerous finding of pilot error for the accident. Reviewed by Lester Chaplow

70 Issue 218 TRIBUTE

Dr Philip Jon Stephenson 10 November 1930 – 23 May 2011

By Margaret Bradshaw with supporting material sourced from Grahame Budd’s obituary on the ANARE Club website.

first met Jon Stephenson in 2002 aboard the small ship Academik I Shokalskiy on Heritage Expedition’s tour of the sub-Antarctic islands of the Indian Ocean. Jon, together with Graeme Budd, was revisiting Heard Island following their important 1963 expedition. I knew Jon chiefly for being the first Australian to reach the South Pole on Fuch’s Commonwealth Trans- Left: Jon Stephenson (left) Antarctic Expedition, when he and beside Grahame Budd on board the Shokalskiy in 2002. Photograph courtesy Margaret Bradshaw. Ken Blaiklock, become the first men to Right: Jon Stephenson taking compass-controlled drive dog teams to the South Pole since panoramas of retreating glaciers on Heard Island in 1963. Amundsen in 1911. I hadn’t appreciated Photograph courtesy Grahame Budd. his subsequent involvement in the Heard Island Expedition. Jon was a true completed a survey and geological publications. From 1979 to 1982 Antarctic character – rugged, humorous, study of the area, and in a brave solo he was Dean of Science. He retired determined and good company. Jon died attempt to make the first ascent of K12, as Associate Professor in 1995, but from a stroke earlier this year. climbed within 428 m of the summit. It continued to hold an honorary research Jon graduated with First-class was during this trip, as well as during position at the University and also at the Honours in Geology and Mathematics the Trans-Antarctic crossing, that Museum of Queensland. He continued from the University of Queensland, Jon became known for his excellent to travel, sometimes as a trek leader where he was awarded the University photography, and he contributed in the Himalayas or as a lecturer on Medal. After undertaking fieldwork extensively in many exhibitions. Antarctic tour ships. Jon was awarded in Queensland, he completed a PhD at In 1961 Jon helped establish the the Queens in recognition of Imperial College, London University and department of Earth Sciences at James his contribution to the Commonwealth immediately afterwards was appointed Cook University in Townsville, where Trans-Antarctic Expedition and an onto the Trans-Antarctic crossing team. he built a reputation as an inspiring Australian Geographic Lifetime of In 1957, with Ken Blaiklock and Hal lecturer. In 1963 he took time off to join Adventure Award in 2009, the same Lister, Jon wintered-over in a tiny hut a three-man expedition to Heard Island year that he published his book Crevasse (South Base) that became buried in snow undertaking a glaciological and geological Roulette, recording his adventures during 500 miles from the South Pole, while the study of Big Ben, the unexplored active the TAE. rest of the crossing party wintered at volcano that dominates the island. They My most vivid memory of Jon Shackleton Base. Before and after the spent eight days relaying heavy loads up on the Sholakskiy was how excited he winter, Jon’s group visited and surveyed to a camp site at 2284 m in preparation became when we sailed past McDonald the unknown Shackleton Range with for two weeks work, including a possible Island in 2002 (en route for Heard dog teams, not without incident, and first ascent of the summit (Mawson Island) and discovered that it was gently had the added hardship of a delayed Peak 2745 m). A week-long blizzard smoking and had obviously erupted air pickup due to a prolonged blizzard. and the loss of a food depot forced recently. The waters were uncharted They and their dog teams then joined them to abandon their plan and return and we were unable to land, but Jon the Polar Party for the crossing. to sea-level. They extensively surveyed and Grahame Budd (who had visited In 1958, following the end of the and geologically assessed the rest of the the island in 1971) spent hours studying TAE at Scott Base, Jon began lecturing volcanic island, recording significant enlarged telescopic digital images (taken in geology at the University of Punjab retreat of the glaciers – providing some of by a bird enthusiast) and comparing in Lahore, West Pakistan, funded by the earliest evidence of climate change in them to old photos. Together they wrote UNESCO. When the appointment the south Indian Ocean. an excellent little paper showing how ended, he led a small private expedition Returning to University, the island had increased in size and into an unexplored region of the Eastern Jon undertook research on old volcanoes height due to the growth of lava domes, Karakoram. Despite various setbacks in Queensland and active ones in the and lava spines and ash falls. Such was (illness, bad weather, accident) Jon south west Pacific, leading to numerous the enthusiasm of the man.

Vol 29, No. 4, 2011 71 TRIBUTE

Austen Deans 1916–2011

Renowned New Zealand artist (Alister) Austen Deans never stopped painting the mountains he loved to climb. Austen died at age 95 in October 2011, having lived much of his life at Peel Forest, Canterbury.

orn at Christchurch’s Riccarton House, he was raised on a Bfarm at the Sheffield end of his family’s Homebush run. He attended Medbury School and Christ’s College, and completed a fine arts degree at Canterbury University. In 1939 he volunteered for army service. He served in the First Echelon of the 20th Battalion in Egypt, Greece and Crete in World War II, being commissioned as a war artist just two days before being wounded in the , after which he spent four years as a prisoner of war. In January 1947 Austen married Elizabeth Hutton of Darfield. The following year the couple and the first of their seven sons moved to London so Deans could further his painting studies. They returned in 1950, settling Austen Deans. on a Peel Forest farm. Elizabeth Deans Photograph courtesy Paul Deans. died in 2004, after 57 years of marriage. In 2009 Austen married lifelong friend Margaret Alpers at Riccarton House. some problems as the paint froze on the Austen remained a keen climber paper while he was painting. Never at throughout his life, belonging to a loss, Austen simply worked out how the New Zealand Alpine Club and the to utilise this to his advantage, allowing Canterbury Mountaineering Club. He the watercolour to freeze onto the paper was also a member of Dog Tucker, to leave the effects of the icicles behind a group for over-60s climbers. Before as an integral part of the work. his 80th birthday he became the oldest His painting legacy is huge, from person to cross the 2,105 m Ball Pass many works relating to the area around and shortly after this he did the 2,150 m Peel Forest, to the Southern Alps, to the Copland Pass. He was very recognisable West Coast forests, images from his time when climbing as often wore his kilt – as a POW during the War, to his work Deans was awarded an OBE (Order a tribute to his Scottish heritage. as an official war artist to portraits, of the British Empire) for his services In 1981 Austen visited Antarctica and his wonderful works depicting the to the arts in 1995 and twice won the for three weeks where he spent time landscape of Antarctica. Kelleher Art Award. He became a life sketching, painting watercolours and Deans said in his biography that member of the Geraldine RSA and was photographing the environment. During he continued to enjoy life and capture patron of the South Canterbury Art his time there he travelled to the Dry the “joy he feels in the mountains and Society. Valleys, a landscape that fascinated the need to convey this to people who Austen’s funeral was held at him. He was known for his skill in look at his paintings”. He said that he St Mary’s church, Geraldine. Austen watercolour painting and was described painted not to say “look at me”, but is survived by his wife, seven sons, 16 as a master of the watercolour wash. rather “look at how extraordinarily grandchildren and two great-grand- When in Antarctica this method posed beautiful New Zealand is.” children.

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Descending a shallow ridge from edge to gradient tone alone in our thoughts trailing dots as we step in each other’s post holes.

“No worries, mate, she’s bombproof”

and yet, and yet we move with care the slots, after all, are everywhere and we are not proof against sudden air and hardened ice.

K. Lietva

Snow and ice formation, Antarctica. Photograph by Father John Colman. Canterbury Museum: 2004.71.124