Norwegian Antarctic Expedition

Abstract

CAPT. H. RIISBB-LABSEN, the leader of the forthcoming Norwegian expedition to the antarctic, has outlined his plans in the Polar Record for January. With two companions and eighty dogs, he hopes to be landed from a whaler at Enderby Land early this year. A hut will be built as a base for the winter months but various sledge journeys will be made in April and May. In the spring the three men will start sledging westward over the sea-ice along the coast of the Weddell Sea to Snow Hill or Hope Bay in Graham Land, where supplies were to be landed by a whaler this (southern) summer. The expedition is to be picked up early in 1934. A short wave radio equipment will be carried which will make it possible for arrangements with the whaler to be altered. Capt. Riiser-Larsen believes, from his view of the ice during nights in recent years, that the land-ice round this coast is heavily crevassed and would make travelling difficult. On the other hand, he thinks that the sea-ice will give a suitable surface and that lines of stranded bergs prevent it breaking up near the coast. The experience of others in the Weddell Sea suggests that these are optimistic views, but Capt. Riiser-Larsen admits that if the route proves impracticable, journeys will be made in an easterly direction from Enderby Land, where there is much work to be done. The use of a sea-ice route will certainly allow plenty of seal-meat to be got for men and dogs, and so obviate the necessity of carrying full rations.