NEWS

TEAM ARRIVES IN ANTARCTICA

The Expedition team arrived at the Union Glacier camp yesterday evening after a much-delayed flight from Punta Arenas. The team set about constructing the Winston Wong Bio-Inspired Ice Vehicle in preparation for its crossing to the South Pole on bio-fuel. As major sponsor, Professor Winston Wong has made a huge contribution to the Expedition and the team are sincerely grateful for his help and support. The vehicles are now fully unloaded and re-packed, utilising the trailer for much-needed storage space of tools, spare parts, food and other equipment. The ground penetrating radar has been built in order to use the technology on the first leg of the journey, during the crossing from the Union Glacier to McMurdo. Ray Thompson, from Imperial College London, has been incredibly busy organising the science equipment and last night he tested the Toumaz Sensium Platform technology, which will be used for physiological monitoring during the crossing. The team expect to make final preparations this morning, complete refuelling for the first leg and after running some tests on the Ice Vehicle, set off mid-morning. The team are highly disappointed not to be able to rendezvous with Winston Wong and the VIP flight at the South Pole. Because of this, though the team have decided to change their strategy and will travel at a more steady pace for the start of the journey as there is no longer a deadline for arrival at the South Pole.