Antarctica: Expedition to Antarctica sets up camp

AAP General News (Australia)
12-26-2000
Antarctica: Expedition to Antarctica sets up camp

An expedition to one of Antarctica's most hostile places has set up camp to finalise
restoration work on Sir DOUGLAS MAWSON'S historic huts.

The eight-person AAP Mawson's Huts Foundation team landed on Christmas Eve at the place
MAWSON dubbed the Home of the Blizzard and plan to finalise conservation work on MAWSON'S
main hut to ensure it survives until its centenary in 1912.

The hut and several outbuildings are in almost the same condition as they were when
MAWSON and his men left them behind after the 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition.

Expedition leader ROB EASTHER says it was good to be at Cape Denison despite sub-zero
temperatures and 50 knot winds which made even walking short distances difficult.

Cape Denison is the windiest place in the world at sea level.

The expedition is expected to remain at Cape Denison for three weeks.

AAP dk/as/jx

KEYWORD: ANTARCTICA (CAPE DENISON)

2000 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.