Next Stop Antarctica

Vivian Fuchs and Edmund Hillary. The Crossing of Antarctica; the Commonwealth Trans-antarctic Expedition, 1955–58. London: Cassell, 1958.

As part of International Geophysical Year, Englishman Vivian Fuchs (1908–1999) sought to complete Shackleton’s Antarctic crossing. New Zealand provided a team led by Sir Edmund Hillary (1919–2008) to support Fuchs from the Ross Sea.

Vivian Fuchs and Edmund Hillary. The Crossing of Antarctica; the Commonwealth Trans-antarctic Expedition, 1955–58. London: Cassell, 1958.
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Sir Edmund Hillary. No Latitude for Error. London: Hodder & Stoughton, [1961].

Hillary published his account of the Commonwealth expedition. A photograph shows the New Zealand team who over-wintered with Hillary. Two team members had strong connections to Dunedin. Murray Ellis (1924–2005), mountaineer and engineer, travelled by tractor to the South Pole with Hillary. He became managing director of Arthur Ellis Ltd, Dunedin, and was widely involved in community work here and in Nepal through his friendship with Hillary.

Bernard Gunn (1926–2008) was an Otago graduate. He joined Operation Deep Freeze as a geologist, but transferred to the New Zealand Trans-Antarctic team. He helped select the sites for bases (including Scott Base) in 1956. The next year Gunn was part of a four-month mapping survey, one of the great sledge journeys of Antarctic history.

Sir Edmund Hillary. No Latitude for Error. London: Hodder & Stoughton, [1961].
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H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour: Report of Proceedings …in Support of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic & N.Z.I.G.Y. Expeditions, December 1957–March 1958. [Wellington: New Zealand Navy Office, 1958.]

In support of the New Zealand team was HMNZS Endeavour, which left Dunedin for a second season in Antarctic waters on 18 December 1957.

H.M.N.Z.S. Endeavour: Report of Proceedings …in Support of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic & N.Z.I.G.Y. Expeditions, December 1957–March 1958. [Wellington: New Zealand Navy Office, 1958.]
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