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News Release 06-024

Icy Overland Trip May Add Ground Vehicles to South Pole Supply Missions

2,056-mile round trip sets the stage for optimal science at the new polar research station

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A caravan trekked nearly 110 tons of cargo from McMurdo station to the South Pole.

A caravan trekked nearly 110 tons (218,465 kilograms) of cargo from McMurdo station to the South Pole. The payload, which included two tractors, is equivalent to 11 loads of equipment and supplies aboard an LC-130 aircraft. The trip ended at McMurdo in January.

Credit: Peter Rejcek, Antarctic Sun


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The Antarctic traverse arrived at the South Pole on Dec. 23, 2005.

The Antarctic traverse arrived at the South Pole on Dec. 23, 2005. From left to right: Russ Magsig, lead heavy equipment mechanic; Greg Feleppa, equipment operator; Judy Goldsberry, heavy equipment operator; Richard "Stretch" Vaitonis, (holding flag) heavy equipment operator; John Wright (holding flag), project manager; Brad Johnson, heavy equipment operator; Tom Lyman, field safety, radar operator; John Van Vlack, heavy equipment mechanic.

Credit: Scott Jackson, National Science Foundation


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Traverse leader John Wright sits in a Cat Challenger 95 tractor.

Traverse leader John Wright drove his rig, a Cat Challenger 95 tractor, more than 2,000 miles on a successful round trip from McMurdo station to the South Pole and back.

Credit: Scott Jackson, National Science Foundation


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