DC Public Library System

The crossing, Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Vivian Fuchs and the Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1953-58, John Knight

eng

Includes bibliographical references (page 282) and index

platesillustrations

index present

non fiction

The crossing

bibliography

1063677350

John Knight

Sir Edmund Hillary, Sir Vivian Fuchs and the Trans-Antarctic Expedition 1953-58

"The Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1953-58 organised and led by Sir Vivian Fuchs and supported by Sir Edmund Hillary was one of the most extraordinary exploits ever undertaken in Antarctica - but it has been underappreciated. On the sixtieth anniversary of the crossing, this book tells the complete story of this remarkable episode in the history of exploration. The Crossing is illustrated with photographs from the Royal Geographical Society, with the kind permission of Mary Lowe, widow of expedition photographer George Lowe, and from Peter and Sarah Hillary and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Sir Ernest Shackleton had tried unsuccessfully to cross the Antarctic in 1914. He called it the Last Great Journey, but he and his men escaped by the skin of their teeth. The new post-war expedition was therefore, with knowledge of what had gone before, a brave attempt to conquer the vast frozen continent. For this historic endeavour, planning had to be done at opposite ends of the Earth, in the UK and New Zealand, and members of the expedition were drawn from the Commonwealth. The plan was meticulous but flawed, and the stakes were high: national, political and scientific interests all depended on its success. John Knight's account shows how the expedition was organised, from the scientific insight it relied on, to the voyage to Antarctica and the choice of the largely mechanised transport intended to carry the men across the ice desert - though the courageous dog teams would be crucial as pathfinders. Survival at times was touch and go, and controversies arose amid the pressure of the journey. This book not only provides a technical insight into a ground-breaking venture but touches on the human aspects of the challenge. Crucially, did Ed Hillary exceed his remit by pushing on south, when his specific instructions were to establish depots for `Bunny' Fuchs's journey, not to engage in a `Second Race to the Pole'? The Crossing charts a unique event in postwar history."--Front flap of dust cover

Early international co-operation -- Operation Tabarin and its aftermath -- Vivian Fuchs and early plans for the trans-Antarctic expedition -- New Zealand's dilemma -- Transport -- there are no roads -- Recruiting personnel -- who to take -- Heading south aboard the Theron -- Eight men perched on an ice shelf -- Three men venture south -- The main party returns -- reunion at Shackleton Base -- South ice -- the next step -- Whichaway to go? A nearly fatal excursion -- Trial run to south ice -- and the press arrive -- On the starting blocks -- Calling Ed Hillary, over and out! -- South ice to the south pole -- the worst is yet to come -- Trans-Antarctic flight -- touch and go -- Another controversy -- and Bunny reaches the pole -- Hillary and his team plan their strategy -- Change of plan for New Zealand plateau route -- Hillary's future agenda -- The New Zealand team move out -- Reflections on Shackleton's 1914 expedition -- New Zealand striving for the plateau and beyond -- South Pole to Scott Base -- New Zealand's other target -- IGY exploration -- Conclusion -- Appendix I. The Americans in Antarctica -- Appendix II. Books about the expedition -- Appendix III. An appeal