Br.Ant.Territory : BSES Achieves Despite Some Set-Backs
Submitted by (Juanita Brock) 04.01.2006 (Article Archived on 18.01.2006)

David Nicholls tells us of the ups and downs of South Georgia mountain climbing

BSES ACHIEVES DESPITE SOME SET-BACKS

By David Nicholls

"The International South Georgia Expedition December 2005 returned to
the Falkland Islands on board HMS ENDURANCE having been unable to
ascend the peaks, Quad 5, Marikoppa, Fagerli and Paulsen due to poor
weather conditions in the Allardyce Range. 

The British Schools Exploring Society Expedition of 8 persons led by David Nicholls spent
15 days waiting for a window in the weather.  They established a camp
on the Lyell Glacier at 1,200 feet (400 m) by 13 December and stocked
it with 6 days of food and fuel.  The 14 December was a clear and calm
day but unfortunately it was very warm which caused a number of wet
snow avalanches.  Despite waking at midnight to clear weather it was
considered not safe to climb in such conditions - the peaks looked
magnificent! The weather deteriorated and by 16 December the team was
back at base camp beside Cumberland Bay West.  The team visited
Grytviken on 18 December while waiting for a break in the weather. 
Sadly only wind, rain and wet snow was experienced up in the mountains.

A promise of good weather came in for the 24 and 25 December.  The
Paulsen team (Jean & Paul Paulsen and 3 French Guides) led by Francois
Bernard (Ben) arrived on the yacht TARA on 22 December and headed
straight up the Lyell Glacier.  The BSES team moved up on 23 December
in indifferent weather to their forward camp.  They awoke at 1 am and
left their camp at 3 am in strong winds and poor visibility.  The BSES
team arrived up at the Paulsen camp at 5 am to bid the team "good
morning" and then went over a col and down to the Geikie Glacier.  A
tricky section required an abseil rope that was left for the Paulsen
team as they were just starting to descend the col.  Both teams met
together at the bottom of a small icefall that leads up to a long
gulley and the South Georgia plateau.  Unfortunately the weather was
very poor with wind, snow and limited visibility.  Both teams decided
it was not sensible to proceed in such conditions.  The BSES team
returned to their mountain camp and the Paulsen team pitched a tent to
wait to see if the weather was going to improve - it did not. 

The BSES team intended to have a second attempt on Christmas day if the weather
improved - it remained poor. So both teams descended; the Paulsen team
returned to their yacht TARA and had a scrumptious Christmas dinner;
the BSES team returned to their Base camp to enjoy a Christmas hamper,
two excellent bottles of wine and two Christmas puddings.

The BSES expedition did achieve two of its objectives.  The 6 young
persons involved all gained additional mountaineering experience in
serious mountain terrain and additional leadership experience to
prepare themselves for taking part in future British Schools Exploring
Society Expeditions.

The Coach House publications team (Kevin Shafer and Tony Hall) managed
with much support from HMS ENDURANCE and BAS to take some wonderful
stunning photography and they plan to publish a book by May of which
10% of the proceeds will go to the South Georgia Heritage Trust.

HMS ENDURANCE provide superb support throughout giving daily weather
forecasts.  The Royal Marines team on board were put ashore to
undertake the Shackleton crossing but lost one of their tents on the
first day in strong winds and sensibly decided to withdraw until the
weather improved (which it did not).  The ship had an excellent work
period at South Georgia using her multi beam survey sonar for the first
time.  She completed surveys south of Annenkov Island, in Cumberland
Bay East, Moraine Fjord and Royal Harbour. She also did some surveying
in Cumberland Bay West.  She put all the BAS parties ashore on Annenkov
Island, Cooper Bay and on Mount Paterson. The Mount Paterson team
experience high winds and poor conditions.  They also lost  their camp
stores and personal kit which were blown off a col after the personnel
had been lifted safely down to Cooper Bay. One helicopter had a bird
strike near its tail rotor but was subsequently recovered and repaired
after some outstanding flying. HMS ENDURANCE also unloaded all the
Norwegian stores at Husvik for the February/March South Georgia
Heritage Trust refurbishment programme."