AntarcticDoctor

�not yet to have written something on our (very brief) visit to Troll. Troll is not a large, ugly beast hiding under a bridge, but rather the Norwegian research base to our east.  Although they are strictly speaking our neighbours, the Juttelstraumen Glacier lies between our bases.  35 nautical miles wide, it is the second largest glacier  in the world (the honour belonging to the Lambert Glacier at S70 E70) and thus a significant barrier.  We can only reach Troll by air, but I was fortunate enough to make the journey with some of our scientists who were retrieving data from a ground thermal logger, and collecting equipment.  I had the aim of examining the medical facility at the Norwegian base in comparison to our own, and in the light of my recent visit to Neumayer.  By the time we had loaded several other scientists and the flight crew, it was a group of 17 South Africans that swooped down from the sky. 

    

I took great pleasure in meeting our Norwegian counterparts, as I’ve always had respect for their Antarctic exploits.  The ever-stoic Amundsen was Norwegian, beating Robert Scott to the South Pole through his adoption of traditional methods of ice travel.  The account of his successful expedition is inspiring reading; it tells a tale of a man dedicated and undistracted: “Adventure,” said he, “is simply poor planning.”  The Norwegian involvement in Antarctica did not stop with Amundsen, however.  Most of Queen Maud Land (or Dronning Maudland, if you wish to tip your hat) was explored and mapped by the Norwegian Antarctic Research Expeditions (NARE), which explains why so many of the landmarks in our area bear names in their language.  The South African expeditions are also historically tied to Norway, as the site of our first research base was that of a Norwegian establishment which was handed over in 1959.  Nowadays, the co-operation continues as we exchange knowledge, assist each other with logistical arrangements, and collaborate on scientific projects.

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Lorentzenpiggen (Lorentz’ Peak) is our nearest significant nunatak neighbour, which a distinctive shape that is easily recognised from afar.   The journey crosses several crevassed areas, but is worthwhile both for the scientific value and for scenic beauty.  It is the site of geological and biological research, and is home to lichen and small mites.  We made the trip as part of a geodesic experiment to establish both a radar reflector used for satellite altimetry, and a differential GPS marker plate.  DGPS achieves sub-centimeter accuracy, and the network of marker stations being placed on our neighbouring mountains will allow scientists to monitor the geographic stability of the area, as well as the effect that the massive glacial forces have on the rock itself. 

We recently had the opportunity to travel to a nearby nunatak (mountain peak jutting out through the ice) called Knotten, in order to retrieve geodesic survey equipment.  As this didnâ??t take too long, I snatched up the chance to christen my ice-axes and crampons on the steep ice in the windscoop.  It was a beautifully ‘warm’ day wth the temperature just below zero and no wind.  More photos to follow soon.