Ice, Dogs and Men-- by Alistair McArthur

“Ice ( and danger ) everywhere” was the lasting impression after the address by Alistair McArthur on his adventures in the Antarctic in the 1960’s as a member of a British Exploration team.

As a young man with early plans to study and have a career in law Alistair related how legal studies were deferred by a supposed short term stint in 1960 as a Patrol Officer in Papua New Guinea for the Australian Government.  A few months grew to a couple of years and when then followed by a move to England Alistair’s focus became that of an educator with a passion for outdoor adventure.

In the UK Alistair joined a British Antarctic expedition which was to conduct detailed surveys in the Peninsula (Cape Jeremy) region in 1967 and 1968.  His address gave an outline of the sparse and “stiff upper lip” attitude and living conditions which the men endured. Temperatures down to minus 30C were experienced but were typically minus 10-15 C.  As Base Commander, he became conscious and skilled in managing the pressures on the various individuals and was able to describe to us a set of preferred characteristics for successful members.

The focus of his address were the five days on a survey patrol with 3 men and 27 Huskies on the Sea Ice adjacent to the peninsula at a time when unusual warm conditions created problems with the ice shelf breaking up.   “Problems”, in reality became life threatening as the potential for breakup increased, which could lead to separation from dogs and equipment and even drifting offshore to oblivion on some ice flow. (Men had been lost some years previously in this way.)    Cut off by water channels Alistair conveyed the mood and feeling of the 4 men.  Still within radio contact with home base however ultimately the 4 were reunited with a team from base.

The vivid photos which accompanied the address coupled wonderful scenery with a reminder of the basic equipment with which these teams conducted polar region activity in the 1960’s.

It is no surprise that Alistair has followed a career in Outward Bound, as an educator and instructor.   Citing a prime inquisitive nature and a desire to encourage people to do different things, Alistair explained that his goal was always to develop quite self confidence in people and make them understand that there were no limits to one’s life.

Audience questions and fascinating answers completed a wonderful talk and a revelation about the players who conducted past exploration activity in the Antarctica years ago.