Home > Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition

In November 1957, Fuchs led a twelve member team that began from the Shackleton Base at Weddell Sea and crossed 3,473 km (2,158 mi) of unexplored snow and ice to reach Scott Base on the Ross Sea on March 2 1958. With the use of specially adapted tractors and sno-cat s, Fuchs' party managed to complete the historic overland journey in a mere 99 days. Along the way, the team also performed scientific research including seismic soundings and gravimetric readings.

Hillary and his team, using converted Fergusson farm tractors established a line of supply depots from Scott Base up the Skelton GlacierThe Skelton Glacier is a large glacier flowing from the polar plateau into the Ross Ice Shelf at Skelton Inlet in Antarctica. Named after the Skelton Inlet by the New Zealand party of the CTAE, 1956-58. The glacier was chosen in 1957 as the New Zealand pa and across the Polar Plateau to the South PoleAntarctic Treaty signatories are arrayed around it, and the Pole Station's old dome is in the background. The polar ice cap and the South Pole station on it are constantly moving relative to the actual, Geographic South Pole. The South Pole is the souther in support of the main expedition lead by Fuchs. Hillary was not supposed to go to the Pole but saw the opportunity to beat the British there so he went for it and reached the South Pole on January 3January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 362 days remaining (363 in leap years). Events 1496 Leonardo da Vinci unsuccessfully tests a flying machine 1521 Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther. 1749 Benning Wentworth issu, 1958, becoming just the third person (preceded by AmundsenRoald Engelbregt Gravning Amundsen ( July 16, 1872 June 18, 1928?) was a Norwegian explorer of polar regions. He led the Antarctic expedition of 1911 1912 which was the first to reach the South Pole. Amundsen was born to a family of Norwegian shipowners a in 1911 and ScottCaptain Sir Robert Falcon Scott ( June 6, 1868 March 29, 1912) was a British Naval officer and Antarctic explorer. Having narrowly failed to become the first man to reach the South Pole, beaten by Roald Amundsen and his party, Scott died on the Ross Ice S in 1912) to do so by overland journey. It also marked the first time vehicles had ever reached the pole. Fuchs' team joined Hillary at the Pole on January 20January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. There are 345 days remaining (346 in leap years). In astrology, it is the cusp day between Aquarius and Capricorn. Events 1156 According to legend, freeholder Lalli slays English crusader B. Hillary drove back to Scott Base with the main expedition to show them the way.

Fuchs was knightFor the chess piece, see knight (chess). In former times, a knight was a warrior or nobleman; today a knight is a person who has been given a royal recognition. In the United Kingdom the knight is styled Sir''. The female styling is usually Dame''. Rootsed for his accomplishment. The second crossing of the continent did not happen until 1981.