Field training

Each national Antarctic operator has its own field training programme, the intensity of which depends on how challenging the anticipated terrain will be, e.g. whether there will be abundant crevasses, and how remote from base the work to be undertaken will be. Kiwi training programmes last 2 or 3 days, and the instructors include experienced mountaineers. Apart from lectures, the training programme involved a range of activities on the McMurdo Ice Shelf, adjacent to Ross Island, with a splendid view of the volcano, Mt Erebus. Training involves creating a variety of shelters (polar tent, standard mountain tent, snow hole, snow block shelter, igloo) and sleeping in them overnight. Walking over pressure ridges and sea ice, and experiencing rescue situations were all part of the outside activity.