Travel Training

Travel training is a required part of an expeditioner's schedule when they first hit station.  It gives those working in the field some practical experience in navigation, map reading and the use of vehicles and huts.  While some aspects are general knowledge, much is new and interesting.

  Brad and Simon putting the hard yards in...  When heading out on the sea ice, it must first be drilled to check thickness.  The ice needs to be at least 400mm thick for quads, and varying thicknesses for other other traffic - 200mm foot traffic, and I can't recall what it is for the Hags.  At this time of year the conditions can change rapidly.  The sea ice can break up and move quickly, as was the case after some recent northerlies.

From Casey, we're fortunate to have access to a number of field huts.  They vary in size and proximity to station - the closest is about a half hour quad bike ride from station, the furthest over two hours away.  The one pictured is Robbo's hut, on Robinson peninsular.  It's south of Casey, and right on the water.  Almost T-shirt and shorts weather!

This is an iceberg which has become lodged in the sea ice.  They can assist in locking the sea ice into position.  Once the ice is freed up, it disintegrates quickly...

Quad's are an easy and versatile means of transport and great fun at the same time.

Not sure exactly what sort of moss it is, but it's quite abundant about Casey.