A 21 year old in Antarctica for 13 months. 1969-70

I flew from New Zealand to Scott Base Antarctica on 17th of October 1969 on a Super Constellation. This was the first flight after the long winter. I loved the solitude and walking through the pressurized sea ice. ( All photographs by Bob McKerrow)

I was fascinated by the seals, penguins and later in the season, the Killer whales.

With the arrival of field parties, I traveled by C 130 to interesting places such as the Robert Scott Glacier, about 100 miles from the South Pole.

I spent a lot of time with Chris Knot our dog handler, and used to drive the second team. here are my two lead dogs, Mike and Kulak.

Chris would drive one team, and I the other, and we often did big trips to places like Cape Royds, 30 km away.

Sir Ernest Shackelton's hut at Cape Royds, base for his 1909 South Pole Expedition. 

                                                            Penguins at Cape Royds

Here I saw my first penguin, first seal and first ice-breaker. At just 21 years of age I found this so exciting.

After 3 months at Scott Base, I moved to Vanda station, a small 4 -man scientific base in the Wright Dry Valley. This was an enchanting place with amazing rock formations and spiky peaks.

Looking towards the Upper Wright Glacier and ice which flows from the polar plateau.

Mount Boreas in the Upper Wright Valley. Gary Lewis with his trusty Mountain Mule pack.

Our laboratory at Vanda Station where our electricity came from wind generation.

We had this strange outdoor toilet with Tony Bromley giving a demonstration. We used it all winter long, even when temperatures dropped to -45 degrees Centigrade.