The white desert / by Noel Barber

CHAPTER 1. MAN AND ANTARCTICA -- Antarctica: the white desert -- Man’s efforts to conquer Antarctica -- Preparations for the International Geophysical Year of 1957-58 -- The scientific work of the IGY in Antarctica -- CHAPTER 2. THE BIRTH OF THE TRANS-ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION -- Fuch’s lifelong ambition -- A meeting with Sir Winston Churchill -- Fuchs’ ambition becomes a reality -- Planning the expedition -- An advance party leaves for the Weddell Sea -- The expedition begun -- CHAPTER 3. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE PRESS -- Noel Barber to report on the expedition -- Accredited to the U.S. Naval Forces -- By plane to New Zealand -- An outfit for the Antarctic winter -- CHAPTER 4. MCMURDO CAMP -- Barber arrives at McMurdo Sound -- Life in the American camp at McMurdo -- The difficulty of obtaining news of the expedition -- It would be easier from the South Pole! -- CHAPTER 5. SOUTH POLE BASE -- Barber flies to the South Pole on a one-day visit -- A cup of coffee at Liv Station on the way -- Hillary making good progress, but Fuchs in difficulty -- Bad weather keeps Barber at the Pole longer than he expected -- CHAPTER 6. IN TOUCH WITH THE EXPEDITION -- Radio contact with Fuchs’ party -- Delays caused by crevasses -- Barber returns to McMurdo Sound -- Another cup of coffee at Liv Station -- CHAPTER 7. BACK AT MCMURDO CAMP -- A walk to Scott Base -- A visit to Sir Hubert Wilkins, with a meal from food left by Scott -- Hillary leaves Depot 700 for the South Pole -- A chance for Barber to return to the Pole -- CHAPTER 8. AT THE SOUTH POLE -- Christmas festivities -- Hillary making rapid progress -- An unsuccessful attempt by John Lewis -- Picnic on the ice on New Year’s Day -- Hillary slowed up by soft snow -- CHAPTER 9. SIR EDMUND HILLARY ARRIVES AT THE SOUTH POLE -- Only thirty gallons of petrol to spare -- A description of the journey -- Success for John Lewis -- Fuchs is approaching the Pole -- CHAPTER 10. DR. VIVIAN FUCHS ARRIVES AT THE SOUTH POLE -- 1.15pm on January 20 -- A cable from H.M. the Queen -- A typical day on the trail -- Rest and repairs for Fuchs’ team -- CHAPTER 11. SCIENTIFIC WORK IN ANTARCTICA -- Discoveries in Antarctica -- Experiments on the effects of extreme cold on men and machines -- Fuchs’ contribution to the IGY -- CHAPTER 12. ON TO SCOTT BASE -- The difficulty of take-off from the Pole -- Fuchs begins the journey to Scott Base -- On the trail -- Emergency: carbon monoxide poisoning -- CHAPTER 13. THE END OF THE JOURNEY -- Danger at McMurdo Sound -- Fuchs reaches Depot 700 -- Hillary escorts Fuchs on the last lap to Scott Base -- Arrival -- An honour for Fuchs -- DIARY OF EVENTS -- MEMBERS OF THE TRANS-ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION.

A reporter's account of Dr. Vivian Fuch's Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1957-'58; Sir Edmund Hillary's journey to the South Pole in 1957-'58 and his own experiences in Antarctica. Includes photos, maps and biographical information on the individual members of the expeditions.

GRETA POINT: 913(99) BAR