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39-879: Greenville Valley was explored in 1957 by the New Zealand Northern Survey Party of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (CTAE), 1956–58. It was named by them after the USNS Greenville Victory , a freighter in the main American convoy into McMurdo Sound in the 1956–57 season. Download coordinates as: 76°38′00″S 161°09′00″E  /  76.6333333°S 161.15°E  / -76.6333333; 161.15 . A small deglaciated valley with meltwater lakes which lies parallel to and just south of Towle Glacier. The valley comprises

78-499: A member of the U.S. Antarctic Program logistics operation, who contributed to the movement of science team cargo to and from McMurdo Station in 21 austral field seasons from 1986 through 2007. 76°49′00″S 160°40′00″E  /  76.8166667°S 160.6666667°E  / -76.8166667; 160.6666667 . A relatively level ice-covered terrace rising to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) with an area of about 4 square miles (10 km ) between Mount Gunn and Mount Basurto. Ice from

117-490: A very windy place, which made work outdoors unpleasant. All stores lying in the snow tended to get buried and there was a constant danger of them getting lost. They managed to take a number of journeys to collect seals for the dogs and to scout a route to the south. They used dogs and the Weasel tractor , and four Tucker Sno-Cats . In December 1956, Fuchs returned on Danish Polar vessel Magga Dan with additional supplies, and

156-462: Is a shortened form of "Sore Thumb Stack," which had been suggested by New Zealand geologist Christopher J. Burgess during a visit to the area in the 1976-77 season. 76°40′S 161°03′E  /  76.667°S 161.050°E  / -76.667; 161.050 . A rugged ridge, 10 nautical miles (19 km; 12 mi) long, between Towle and Northwind Glaciers. Mapped by USGS from ground surveys and Navy air photos. Named by US-ACAN in 1964 for

195-620: The Benson Glacier , Northwind Glacier and Atka Glacier . The Elkhorn Ridge is to the north, the Cambridge Glacier to the west and Battleship Promontory and Alatna Valley to the south. Prominent peaks include Mount Gunn, Larson Crag and Mount Razorback. Download coordinates as: Named features in and around the heights include: 76°55′S 160°55′E  /  76.917°S 160.917°E  / -76.917; 160.917 . A sandstone promontory which rises from

234-759: The United States Geological Survey (USGS) from ground surveys and Navy air photos. They were named by the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) in 1964 for the USS Staten Island , an icebreaker in the American convoy to McMurdo Sound in several seasons beginning in 1956–57. The Staten Island Heights are in the center of the Convoy Range. To the east is the Flight Deck Névé , which feeds

273-634: The Antarctic continent from Shackleton Base via the Pole to Scott Base, following roughly the same route as Fuchs' overland party. Mount Gunn Staten Island Heights ( 76°49′S 160°57′E  /  76.817°S 160.950°E  / -76.817; 160.950 ) is a predominantly flat, ice-covered upland between Greenville Valley and Alatna Valley in the Convoy Range of Victoria Land , Antarctica. Staten Island Heights were mapped by

312-649: The British team were separately based at Halley Bay . Fuchs was knighted for his accomplishment. The second overland crossing of the continent did not occur until 1981, during the Transglobe Expedition led by Ranulph Fiennes . Preparations began in London in 1955. Over the austral summer of 1955 to 1956, Fuchs sailed with an advance party from London to Antarctica in the Canadian sealer Theron , with

351-455: The Convoy Range about 7 nautical miles (13 km; 8.1 mi) northwest of Mount Gran. Photographed in 1957 by the New Zealand Northern Survey Party of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (CTAE) (1956-58) and named by them for Bernard M. Gunn, a member of the party. 76°46′S 161°08′E  /  76.767°S 161.133°E  / -76.767; 161.133 . The highest mountain summit, 2,040 metres (6,690 ft) high, in

390-532: The South Pole, but when he had completed laying supply depots he saw the opportunity to beat the British and continued south, reaching the Pole—where the U.S. Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station had recently been established by air—on 3 January 1958. Hillary's party was just the third—preceded by Roald Amundsen in 1911 and Robert Falcon Scott in 1912—to reach the Pole overland. Hillary's arrival also marked

429-597: The Transantarctic Mountains, in 12 field seasons 1995-2008. 76°50′S 160°50′E  /  76.833°S 160.833°E  / -76.833; 160.833 . A long, narrow ice-free valley in the Convoy Range, running north from its head immediately east of Mount Gunn into the Greenville Valley. Mapped in 1957 by the N.Z. Northern Survey Party of the CTAE, 1956-58. Named by them after

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468-527: The USNS Private Joseph F. Merrell , a freighter in the main American convoy into McMurdo Sound in the 1956-57 season. [REDACTED]  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Geological Survey . Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition ( CTAE ) of 1955–1958 was a Commonwealth -sponsored expedition that successfully completed

507-651: The United Kingdom, New Zealand, United States, Australia and South Africa, as well as many corporate and individual donations, under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth II . It was headed by British explorer Vivian Fuchs , with New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary leading the New Zealand Ross Sea Support team. The New Zealand party included scientists participating in International Geophysical Year research while

546-495: The United States NavyS ElkhoRoyal Navy, a tanker in the American convoy into McMurdo Sound, 1961-62. 76°42′S 160°57′E  /  76.700°S 160.950°E  / -76.700; 160.950 . A cirque glacier, 0.5 nautical miles (0.93 km; 0.58 mi) long, descending the south wall of Elkhorn Ridge in Greenville Valley. The name is a nautical approximation of the situation of

585-434: The advance party, led by Ken Blaiklock , were left on the ice, having only tents and a packing crate as shelter. Most of the stores were left on the bay ice, some two miles (3.2 km) from the site of where the base was to be set up. Their first task was to get all these stores from the bay ice to the base and to try to build some permanent shelter for the oncoming winter. Once some food and paraffin had been brought up and

624-399: The dogs safely tethered by the base, the men started to build their hut. This proved to be far more difficult than had been envisaged – not only were the eight men insufficient in number to carry out the heavy tasks easily but the weather at Shackleton was colder and much windier than had been anticipated. When the skeleton of the hut was complete, the men positioned the crates containing

663-607: The esteemed Joel David Ellis Watkins, —were responsible for route-finding and laying a line of supply depots up the Skelton Glacier and across the Polar Plateau on towards the South Pole, for the use of Fuchs on the final leg of his journey. Other members of Hillary's team carried out geological surveys around the Ross Sea and Victoria Land areas. It was not originally intended that Hillary would travel as far as

702-524: The first overland crossing of Antarctica , via the South Pole . It was the first expedition to reach the South Pole overland for 46 years, preceded only by Amundsen's expedition and Scott's expedition in 1911 and 1912. In keeping with the tradition of polar expeditions of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration , the CTAE was a private venture, though it was supported by the governments of

741-526: The first time that land vehicles had ever reached the Pole. Fuchs' team reached the Pole from the opposite direction on 19 January 1958, where they met up with Hillary. Fuchs then continued overland, following the route that Hillary had laid, while Hillary flew back to Scott Base in a U.S. plane. He would later rejoin Fuchs by plane for part of the remaining overland journey. The overland party finally arrived at Scott Base on 2 March 1958, having completed

780-407: The floor of Alatna Valley near its head. The name was suggested by Parker Calkin, United States geologist who made stratigraphic studies in the valley in the 1960-61 season. 76°51′S 160°54′E  /  76.85°S 160.9°E  / -76.85; 160.9 . A rock summit rising to 1,550 metres (5,090 ft) west of Sharpend Glacier. The feature forms the extremity of a rock ledge at

819-569: The glacier. Named by a 1989-90 NZARP field party to the area. 76°43′S 160°58′E  /  76.717°S 160.967°E  / -76.717; 160.967 . A circular depression, 200 metres (660 ft) deep, in the center of Greenville Valley. The feature is 1 nautical mile (1.9 km; 1.2 mi) in diameter, ice free and marks the lowest elevation in Convoy Range. Named in association with Greenville Valley. 76°43′S 161°00′E  /  76.717°S 161.000°E  / -76.717; 161.000 . A flat-topped rock ridge on

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858-616: The historic crossing of 3,473 kilometres (2,158 mi) of previously unexplored snow and ice in 99 days. A few days later the expedition members left Antarctica for New Zealand on the New Zealand naval ship Endeavour . The ship was captained by Captain Harry Kirkwood . Although large quantities of supplies were hauled overland, both parties were also equipped with light aircraft and made extensive use of air support for reconnaissance and supplies. Additional logistical help

897-580: The ledge is 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) long by 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) wide, tapering in the north. It stands 500 metres (1,600 ft) high above the adjoining valleys. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) (2008) after Donald E. Voigt of the Department of Geosciences and Penn State Ice and Climate Exploration Center, Pennsylvania State University, who carried out research in glaciology, geophysics and seismology in diverse parts of Antarctica, including

936-414: The lower elevations at the northeast end of Elkhorn Ridge and is separated from Towle Glacier by a dolerite ridge upon which the flank of Towle Glacier rests 80 metres (260 ft) above the valley floor. The feature was visited by Victoria University's Antarctic Expeditions (VUWAE), 1976-77, led by Christopher J. Burgess. The name derives from the discovery of a parachute and abandoned airdrop packaging in

975-477: The military to the civilian support. 76°56′00″S 160°42′00″E  /  76.93333°S 160.70000°E  / -76.93333; 160.70000 is an ice-free mountain rising to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) at the south end of Noring Terrace An ice-free mountain rising to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) at the south end of Noring Terrace. Named by the US-ACAN (2007) after Juan Basurto, cargo specialist, and

1014-710: The north end of Staten Island Heights. Mapped by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) from ground surveys and Navy air photos. Named by the United States Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) in 1964 for Commander Wesley Larson, commanding officer of the USS Staten Island in Antarctic waters, 1959-60. 76°50′S 161°18′E  /  76.833°S 161.300°E  / -76.833; 161.300 . A craggy mountain rising to about 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) high east of Staten Island Heights. The descriptive name

1053-516: The north end of Staten Island Heights. The name was applied by geologist Christopher J. Burgess, VUWAE party leader in the 1976-77 season. Named after John D. Pascoe (1909-72), New Zealand mountaineer, photographer, and author of books on New Zealand mountains and alpine subjects; Chief Archivist, Department of Internal Affairs, 1963. 76°44′S 161°08′E  /  76.733°S 161.133°E  / -76.733; 161.133 . A prominent rocky summit, over 1,600 metres (5,200 ft) high, at

1092-445: The north part of Staten Island Heights, with a rounded top that gives a commanding view of Fry Glacier and Benson Glacier. One of the nautical names in Convoy Range. So named by a NZARP field party in the 1989-90 season. 76°46′S 161°01′E  /  76.767°S 161.017°E  / -76.767; 161.017 . A cirque glacier, 1.5 nautical miles (2.8 km; 1.7 mi) long, which flows into Greenville Valley from

1131-478: The north side of Greenville Valley, immediately above Greenville Hole. The feature provides a platform that overlooks the entire valley, similar to the bridge of a ship. So named by a 1989-90 NZARP field party. 76°48′S 160°48′E  /  76.8°S 160.8°E  / -76.8; 160.8 . A flat-topped ridge that rises to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) high between the head of Greenville Valley and Merrell Valley. The relatively level upper surface of

1170-659: The purpose of establishing Shackleton Base near Vahsel Bay on the Weddell Sea , from which the trans-Antarctic expedition would begin. The Theron , like its immediate forebear, the Endurance , was trapped in the ice. Despite sustaining considerable damage, she was able to free herself with the help of the Auster Antarctic floatplane that scouted a way out. In early 1956, Fuchs sailed back to London, leaving eight men to over-winter at Shackleton. The eight men of

1209-603: The south edge of Staten Island Heights. Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) (1999) after Captain Karen Schwall , the first female U.S. Army Officer in Antarctica, who specialized in logistics and air and ship operations, 1988-91. She became the Logistics Manager with Antarctic Support Associates, 1991-96, and was central during the transfer of the supply and transportation logistics from

Greenville Valley - Misplaced Pages Continue

1248-508: The southern summer of 1956–1957 was spent consolidating Shackleton Base and establishing the smaller South Ice Base, about 300 miles (480 km) inland to the south. After spending the winter of 1957 at Shackleton Base, Fuchs finally set out on the transcontinental journey in November ;1957, with a 12-man team travelling in six vehicles; three Sno-Cats , two Weasel tractors , and one specially adapted Muskeg tractor . En route,

1287-517: The team were also tasked with carrying out scientific research including seismic soundings and gravimetric readings. In parallel, Hillary's team had set up Scott Base —which was to be Fuchs' final destination—on the opposite side of the continent at McMurdo Sound on the Ross Sea . Using three converted Ferguson TE20 tractors and one Weasel, abandoned part-way, Hillary and his three men—Ron Balham, Peter Mulgrew and Ellis Williams, great uncle of

1326-644: The terrace drains westward into Cambridge Glacier and also eastward in the short Scudding Glacier toward Battleship Promontory. Named by US-ACAN (2007) after Randy (Crunch) Noring who served 16 summer seasons and two winters in Antarctica between 1991 and 2007 at the South Pole and McMurdo Stations, working in operations, heavy equipment and fuels, and since 1999 as the Camp Manager at Marble Point . 76°52′S 160°42′E  /  76.867°S 160.700°E  / -76.867; 160.700 . Massive mountain, 2,465 metres (8,087 ft) high, standing in

1365-411: The unfinished hut itself was full of snow. The bay ice had broken off taking all the remaining stores with it. Much food and fuel, a couple of huts and a tractor had all gone to sea. The men tried to retrieve the crates by tunnelling under the snow; the tunnels proved to be useful kennels for the dogs protecting them from the unexpectedly severe winter conditions at Shackleton. The party of eight survived

1404-423: The vicinity. 76°40′S 161°06′E  /  76.667°S 161.100°E  / -76.667; 161.100 . A notable rock spire (about 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) high which rises 50 metres (160 ft) above a crest of Elkhorn Ridge, to the east of Topside Glacier. Though not the highest point on the ridge, the spire stands out "like a sore thumb" and is an excellent reference point. The approved name

1443-465: The wall and roof panels around the building site. Then a blizzard began, and lasted for more than a week. The temperature dropped to −20 °C (−4 °F) and the drift around the base made it impossible to do any work outside. The men sheltered in their crate and slept in their tents which were constantly in danger of getting buried by the drift. When finally the wind subsided the giant crates of wall panels had all disappeared under many feet of drift and

1482-403: The winter with some difficulty, but in reasonably good health, and finally completed the building of the hut except for one hole in the roof, the panel for which was never found. While the hut was being constructed they lived by day in the tractor crate and slept in their tents, two men to each tent. The winter temperatures often fell well below −30 °C (−22 °F), and Shackleton proved to be

1521-452: Was provided by U.S. personnel who were working in Antarctica at that time. Both parties also took dog teams which were used for fieldwork trips and backup in case of failure of the mechanical transportation, though the dogs were not taken all the way to the Pole. In December 1957 four men from the expedition flew one of the planes—a de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter —on an 11-hour, 1,430-mile (2,300 km), non-stop trans-polar flight across

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