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Arrival, Traverse

It’s a long commute to the drill site.The 10-person Australian Antarctic Program (AAP) traverse team arrived to DCN on 18 Nov, after 17 days and 1168 km of travel inland from Casey station (see Long haul for science begins). Traverse arrival to DCN so early in the season positions the project for a long science and drilling season and has been the result of much teamwork and planning across the AAD.

In particular, the planning and support for deployment of the traverse team to Casey on the 5th of October by helicopter off the AAD icebreaker Nuyina. An ADF-supported C17 air-drop of critical traverse and MYIC cargo into Casey also helped secure the early departure. Traverse spent the next few weeks busily preparing machines, cargo and equipment before departing from Casey on the 1st November on the long journey to DCN.