Spreading out from Halley to the edge of the shelf ice are a series of crevasse- free routes. These are essential for cargo resupply in the summer and are marked with empty fuel drums, which are raised periodically throughout the year due to snow accumulation. It's a great time out involving picnics, Sno-cats and a German sledge with spare drums in case any of the original drums have disappeared.
Mid April bore witness to the second stage of the N9 drum raise. This is the longest of the relief routes, 50 km long and is undertaken in two stages. The first stage is to a radio mast, at the halfway mark. The second stage, from here to the coast continues amidst increasingly rolling snowfields, a sign of active movement within the ice, and is completed under the watchful gaze of a field general assistant, experienced in crevasse travel. Lack of daylight and low temperatures meant this section required an overnight stay at the end of the route.
The day to leave dawned blue and bright. The colours at this time of year are glorious, a myriad of reds, oranges, pinks and blues. The sky becomes a canvas with Nature, the artist, using the elements to create a masterpiece. The theme is surely beauty. Against this tranquil backdrop, Halley was a bustle of activity with bags, manfood boxes, tents and flasks being loaded. "Travelling light" is not an oft used phrase in Antarctica!
Seven base members went out in the convoy. Depending on snow conditions, moving over the snow surface in a Sno-cat is rather like being in a dinghy. Indeed one or two people have mentioned seasickness. On reaching the half way mast, Mark Stewart, our communications manager used a hand held radio attached to the connections on the mast to contact Halley. After this, the drum raising began.
Throughout the day, the cloud increased and by the time the party reached N9, there was just a narrow band of blue on the western horizon. Steve White, our field GA, picked a spot to erect the tents. Probing about with a bog chisel, he discovered ice near the edge of the creek, so we drove 200 metres back along the line of drums to where the snow was deeper and pitched camp here.
In the thin sliver of clear sky, a full moon rose. Tilly lamps provided an orange glow against the blackness of the night. The following morning dawned grey, the expected colours of a majestic sunrise absent. Breakfast was eaten, tea drank and the party broke camp. Setting off into the flat light conditions, we bumped and ground our way back to the half way mast, raising a short section of drum line and had a pleasant ride back to Halley.