The Explorer, April 2018

ExplorerTHE APRIL 2018

New camp for oldest site The turks are installed at Cape Adare. © Erik Bradshaw A chance chat at a workshop between Al says this project was a great example February this year. The team consisted of Trust Programme Manager Al Fastier and of Kiwi ingenuity, right down to the idea of Erik, Queenstown builder Doug Henderson, Queenstown adventurer Erik Bradshaw filling the bases with two tonnes of gravel so engineer and mechanic Jeff Rawson and established a mutual interest in water tank they don’t blow over in the 200km per hour Department of Conservation backcountry huts. Al was in the process of designing winds that roar into Cape Adare. construction specialist John Taylor. Luckily, a remote field camp and Erik had built a around 35 members of the Xue Long’s crew The turks took six weeks to assemble, and prototype tank hut as an emergency back were available to assist, meaning the camp were built in Lyttelton by Richard Harcourt, country ski hut. was installed in record time. Gary Rochford and Dirk Passchier. They From there, a desire was born to work were transported on the Chinese national Erik said he is confident the conservation together to design a ‘tank hut’ that would Antarctic programme’s icebreaker team will like what they see when they walk be suitable for the extreme Antarctic Xue Long. into the huts next year. “I think they’ll be environment. really happy. Compared with staying in a “Cape Adare is also home to the world’s canvas tent, it's complete luxury.’’ Erik worked with Al and the Trust’s largest Adélie penguin rookery, so we have structural engineer Win Clark to design the to time the turks’ arrival for when the birds A team of seven conservation experts will turks. Each turk has a 10m2 floor area and have finished nesting,” says Erik. be working onsite at Cape Adare for a the three structures form a living area, work further two summer seasons to complete The camp was successfully installed in shed and store room. the conservation programme.

Based on this design Antarctica New Zealand Executive Director Nigel Watson says, “We then commissioned Erik to construct three are very grateful to Antarctica New Zealand huts, which Erik calls ‘turks’ – “Not a hut, not for their support on this important project a yurt, not a tank so must be a turk.” and to the crew of the Xue Long for their assistance transporting and installing the The turks form part of a field camp at camp in such a remote place. It provides the Cape Adare in Antarctica – a remote and foundation for our work on this historically wild place where temperatures can reach significant site that we care for on behalf of -30 degrees. The turks will serve as the humanity.” temporary base for Antarctic Heritage

Trust experts conserving the first building Cape Adare ‘turks’ team: Jeff Rawson, John Read more about the turks at on the continent – early explorer Carsten Taylor, Erik Bradshaw, Doug Henderson. nzaht.org Borchgrevink’s hut. © Julie Patterson

Newsletter of the Antarctic Heritage Trust (New Zealand)

The Trust is delighted to have the team season to work on Stonington Island. slow down the rate of decay to the building assisting our sister trust UKAHT on the fabric and artefact collection until long- During this expedition, Al and the team set Antarctic Peninsula as part of the new term repairs solutions are implemented. out to complete a detailed conservation multi-year agreement. Nigel Watson survey of a historic British scientific base, With 30 years of experience working in (Executive Director) says it was wonderful known as Base E, which was established in remote places, Al said, “Stonington Island to have UKAHT Chief Executive Camilla 1946. This survey is part of a larger UKAHT is the most stunning location that I have Nichol in New Zealand late last year to multi-year project to conserve six former ever worked, with its 360 degree views of finalise the agreement, which sees the Trust British bases. The information collected mountains, glaciers and ice bergs.” sharing their expertise developed during during these surveys will be used to the Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project Lizzie Meek, the Trust’s Programme develop comprehensive conservation plans in Antarctica. Manager – Artefacts, took over from Al for the conservation and care for each in the latter part of the season and is Programme Manager Al Fastier worked on site. As well as undertaking the survey the surveying and providing advice on the the Peninsula with UKAHT last season at team also carried out emergency repairs artefact collection. Horse Shoe Island and headed back this to reduce snow and melt water ingress to

Raising the Roof more likely 50 to 60 years. A plan was then developed to overclad the historic roof, meaning the original roof remained intact.

A key feature of the newly restored hut is the aluminium roof, complete with new battens painted in the original bright orange. As if the project itself did not provide enough of a challenge, the team had to work around extreme weather systems that included snow and wind storms.

For specialist standing seam roofer, Mike Burgess, the conditions provided a job unlike anything he had ever tackled. The project manager for Architectural Metalformers is used to working through complicated roofing projects in rural,

The team gathers in front of Hillary’s (TAE) Hut. © AHT commercial and urban environments – less so in the world’s harshest environment. Antarctic Heritage Trust has finished the of artefacts within it. “As a historic site, its Mike combined his more than 20 years last major job of saving Hillary’s (TAE) significance is that it’s the birthplace of in the business, with further research, Hut at Scott Base – installing a new roof. New Zealand’s presence in Antarctica and to come up with the robust long-term The hut was built by a team under Sir Ed’s the link to Sir Ed’s famous tractor trip to waterproof roofing solution. leadership in 1957 as part of New Zealand’s the South Pole.” The Trust acknowledges Architectural involvement in the Trans-Antarctic While working to conserve Hillary’s Hut Metalformers, Pacific Coilcoaters, Sika Expedition and International Geophysical last season, the need for a weather-tight NZ, Nexus Foams and Dulux New Zealand Year. Trust Programme Manager Al Fastier long-term roofing solution was identified. for their donated products and technical says it’s been a long and successful road Al says the Trust wanted the roofing assistance. to save the hut and conserve the hundreds solution to last a minimum of 35 years but BRANDO BRIDGET Inspiring YELAVICH KRUGER Brando Yelavich will Bridget Kruger is Explorers be a name familiar no stranger to the to many New great outdoors, Zealanders. He was having worked for Announced the first person to circumnavigate the entire years as an outdoor instructor and adventure coastline of New Zealand, which was an therapist all over the world. Bridget divides We are thrilled to announce the selection adventure that changed his life. her time between Australia and New of two New Zealanders and two Australians Zealand, depending on where her work to take part in the Trust’s 2018 Inspiring Since achieving that remarkable feat of takes her. Explorers’ Expedition to attempt a crossing mental and physical endurance, Brando has of the Greenland ice cap in May. dedicated himself to becoming a full-time Bridget had a life-altering experience while explorer. He is passionate about inspiring working in Canada as a dog sled guide. The Trust's third Inspiring Explorers’ others to explore the world around them She was involved in a serious accident, Expedition will honour the remarkable through school talks and books and his when a person lost control of their sled and legacy of Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen, growing online presence. In his own words, ran her over, leading to a traumatic head whose first crossing of Greenland 130 “There’s no right or wrong in adventure. It’s injury. Through her long recovery, Bridget years ago is one of the world’s great polar a beautiful way to bring people together and found solace in nature. She says, “There is exploration stories. to spread happiness.” something about adventuring in nature that The Inspiring Explorers' team, which ignites the spirit and brings out the best in us.” includes Executive Director Nigel Watson, will attempt the 560+ km journey on skis, KEITH dragging 60kg sledges behind them. The PARSONS HOLLIE crossing is expected to take around one WOODHOUSE month. Joining the expedition is Master A skilled Polar Guide Bengt Rotmo from Borge photographer Christchurch- Ousland Polar Exploration. The team will and videographer, based designer and share their stories to inspire others to get Australian Keith adventure enthusiast out and explore. Parsons’ work has Hollie Woodhouse taken him all over the isn’t one to shy away We are delighted that outdoors company world. In between from an opportunity Kathmandu are a sponsor for the stints in London and Melbourne working to explore the world, a fact that’s perhaps expedition. The team will be wearing as a picture editor for a national media best summed up by the name of the Kathmandu’s new XT Series of clothing, company and a content coordinator for a magazine she founded in 2015 - ‘Say Yes especially developed for extreme non-government organisation, he spent a To Adventure’. Hollie’s thirst for adventure environments. year in sub-Saharan Africa, where he worked has taken her to the Sahara Desert and the as a freelance visual journalist. Keith is an Amazon Jungle, where she competed in avid endurance runner, mountain biker and endurance events covering over 200km in all-round outdoor enthusiast. five days. Back home, Hollie has competed in events including the Coast To Coast and Red Coupled with his love of the outdoors is a Bull Defiance. passion for polar history, and the exploits of explorers like Fridtjof Nansen. Keith Hollie says, “I don’t want to look back on describes Nansen’s influence in exploration my time and regret not having given every and beyond, “Fridtjof Nansen’s original opportunity that comes before me a go.” Fridtjof Nansen. Source: George journey is, in my mind, one of the most Grantham Bain notable feats of polar exploration, as we Collection (Library of Congress) know it ushered in a prolonged period of firsts. However, to me Nansen’s political You can follow the expedition online and humanitarian efforts are even greater; at nzaht.org resulting in his 1922 Nobel Peace Prize.” Governance Congratulations to Board Chair Mark Jonathan Sinclair who returned to the UK 2017 after serving Stewart who was acknowledged as a in December. We thank him for his service for three years. We member of the New Zealand Order of on the Board. welcome Linda Kestle Merit in the New Year’s honours list for who was confirmed We also acknowledged Mariska Wouters, services to community and sport. to the position in President of New Zealand Antarctic February 2018. We farewelled British High Commissioner Society, who stepped down in October Mark Stewart MNZM Ambassadors' Antarctic Awe Antarctic Youth Ambassador CHRIS ANSIN

When I talk to people about what it is like to visit and live in Antarctica, everyone’s imagination is that Antarctica is an incredibly remote, beautiful and stunning environment. While no truer words have been spoken, Antarctica has left a very different, and for me, even more special impression. It was the environment that the people created, one of collaboration, hard work, friendship and happiness. Nowhere else have I ever experienced something more powerful than being surrounded by people where everyone was living the life that made them happy.

© Diana McCormack I feel humbled to have worked alongside some of the most incredible people I have Conservation Ambassador Diana McCormack and Antarctic Youth Ambassador Chris Ansin ever met. Al, Lizzie, Geoff and Diana were (in partnership with Sir Peter Blake Trust and Antarctica New Zealand) formed an important such an amazing team to work with. It was part of the Trust’s team this season. They worked on the new roof for Hillary’s (TAE) Hut and hard not to feel inspired just working and the monitoring and maintenance of Scott’s and Shackleton’s huts. Read about their time on spending time alongside them. the ice and impact it had on them, in their own words below. Antarctica itself still seems such a surreal Conservation Ambassador place, full of magic and wonder. Stepping DIANA McCORMACK into the historic huts flung striking pictures Since getting back everyone has been It has given me fresh positivity in tackling of the struggles of the men no older than asking me “Well, how was it?” and I keep my own conservation challenges at home, myself into my mind. The vivid history of the finding myself short on adjectives. It’s because the historic ships can be daunting surroundings envelopes you in emotion, it hard to sum up just how special a place at times. We are constantly battling the is impossible not to form a connection. To Antarctica really is or the real sense of elements and trying to preserve very large work on and help preserve the legacy of the privilege I found at being able to work in the objects in the outdoor marine environment heroic explorers that I idolise was such a historic huts. I met lots of interesting and – but seeing what has been possible in rare treat and one that I will treasure for the lovely people, went snow-caving, bounced Antarctica and getting a taste of working rest of my life. over the sea ice in a Hagglund, camped in those conditions has given me a new Experiencing the grandest and most in sight of Mt Erebus, flew over the Barne perspective. dramatic landscapes on the planet, I am glacier in a helicopter and learned so much When I get asked “What’s the most now only beginning to realise the effect about the first expeditions to the Ross Sea. memorable thing you took away from it that Antarctica has had on me. I am truly Joining Al and Lizzie and the team for just all?” it still takes a minute to find an answer. excited by the possibilities of life, and feel so one season, it really struck me how much But if I close my eyes the first thing that privileged to have experienced this amazing work has already gone into the huts and comes back is walking through the door to continent with the crew from AHT. the enormous achievements of everyone in the Terra Nova hut at Cape Evans, and the I definitely have the Antarctic bug! that team over the years. Thinking about all amazing smell of blubber, and straw and Read more on the Antarctic blog at the logistics and planning that have been timber. That’s going to stay with me for a nzaht.org behind all that fieldwork is pretty humbling. long time! Watch Now! Thank You Thank you to Christchurch Airport (NZ) for We welcome the following new members: the use of their Flying South Cinema to host a local screening of the Trust's latest Inspiring Silver Maurice Bognuda (NZ) Explorers’ film ‘The Last 36’. The film retraces Bronze Mike Shipway (UK) the footsteps of Shackleton, Worsley and Crean If you would like to support our work, we across South Georgia Island. There was a lot of would welcome your donation or support as family history with Andrew and Peter McCarthy an Antarctic Explorer Club member. (great-nephews of Tim McCarthy who was on the James Caird voyage), and Brian Honeybone More information on how to support the (great-nephew of Tom Crean) attending the © AHT Trust can be found on our website. event along with 2015 Inspiring Explorer Tom nzaht.org

MacTavish and AHT Executive Director Nigel watch 'The Last 36' at nzaht.org Watson (pictured left to right).

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