Cold Case Adventures and how to Survive Them
This series of podcasts presents life at Mawson Base, Antarctica throughout 1976 and the summer of 1977. Mawson is one of three Australian Antarctic bases with a fourth on the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. Each episode is devoted to a specific adventure (or mis-adventure) over a 15 month period. At this period of time Mawson was one of just a few Antarctic bases that had working Husky dogs to which a number of these podcasts are about. I am surprised upon looking back and referencing source material how many crazy stories occurred during my time at Mawson. The equivalent Youtube videos use Phil’s super8 videos, photos, paintings, illustrations and cartoons which will enhance the listener’s experience.
Episodes
19 episodes
The Return from Mawson
After 15 months in the Antarctic at Mawson Base and throughout the area called Enderby Land, Phil and his fellow expeditioners left for Australia on the Nella Dan in the summer of 1977 - a journey which spanned 13 days. This account describes o...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 20
•
58:41
Huskies to Auster - the First Jouney
In the winter of 1976 at Mawson Antarctica, Phil and fellow Antarctic expeditioners travelling by Husky dog teams to Auster Emperor Penguin Rookery, three times. Each journey was different, presenting its own difficulties and spectacular ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 19
•
47:26
The Adventures of David Blaby, Mawson Antarctica, 1979-81
In 1979 David Blaby returned to the Antarctic taking the position of Plant Inspector at Mawson. Circumstances led to him staying for two consecutive winters - very rare for the Australian National Antarctic Research Expeditions (ANARE). T...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
50:58
The Adventures of Vonna Keller, Antarctica, 2005-2008
Vonna Keller, Antarctic Veteran has spent time at all Australian Antarctic bases, including Macquarie Island from 2005 to 2014.This podcast covers the years 2005-2008. Vonna relates a few of her amazing experiences, particularly as camp ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 11
•
37:29
The Adventures of David Blaby, Casey Antarctica, 1969
David Blaby, Antarctic veteran expeditioner, journeyed to Casey Base in 1969 one year after the Australian base was opened. As an experienced Diesel Mechanic his job was to keep the base running. David recounts how his Antarctic sag...
•
52:56
The Vehicles of Mawson Antarctica, 1976
Australian Antarctic Bases have many and varied vehicles to: keep the base running; support summer survey and research programs; and for recreation.Mawson base in 1976 was no exception. This is account of huge variation, adventures...
•
Episode 15
•
36:15
Phil's First Day
First day in the Antarctic is different for all. Phil’s first day arriving at Mawson was very different.Here he explains to Peter Niblett what this experience, on Christmas Day 1975, was like and why it was different in some ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
32:33
Ron Wiggins Antarctic Adventures
The history of Casey Antarctic Base begins in 1965 with arrival of the first construction crew. One of the team - Ron Wiggins - provides a first-hand account of the birth of Casey, the end of Wilkes 4 years later and the many advent...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
57:03
Ripping Mountain Blizzard
Trapped, isolated in a fierce Antarctic blizzard on a mountain top. The tent - their only shelter, begins to rip apart. What do two young Australians do?This is the question Peter Niblett asks Phil Wolter when this actually o...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 12
•
28:23
Not Low Tongue - Mawson Antarctica 1976
Four Mawson Base adventurers decide to take two teams of Husky dogs to a feature called Low Tongue - a rocky outcrop protruding from the Antarctic coastal ice cliff.It was intended to be a relaxing day trip. The journey, completed ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 10
•
32:45
Brushes with Death
It’s no secret that the Antarctic Continent is a dangerous place and claimed the lives of many.In his 15 month period manning Mawson Base Phil experienced his own brushes with death. One involved the birth of an iceberg and another...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
44:19
The Nightwatchman of Antarctica
At the Antarctic base, Mawson, an important safety feature was the Nightwatch. In the 70’s each wintering expeditioner was required to undertake this vital function as the Nightwatchman.A seemingly mundane task to mitigate the sign...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 8
•
39:41
Molodezhnaya, Antarctica
In the years when Australian Antarctic programs were centred around the area west of Mawson Base it was customary to receive an invitation from the Russians to visit there large Antarctic base called Molodezhnaya, situated on the western edge o...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 7
•
39:15
Nancy
Each year at Mawson base new huskies were needed to replace the elderly. The 1976 breeding program created over a dozen pups. The youngest of these was named Nancy. She was a cute, good-looking and sweet natured pup. But...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 6
•
28:51
Geo's Routine at Mawson, Antarctica
After arriving in the Antarctic on December 25 1975, Phil Wolter was shown the ropes of the Geophysical Observatory and settled into the routine to keep the records continuous and of high quality.Pete interviews Phil on what that routine...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 5
•
53:13
Journey to Rumdoodle
In late January of an Antarctic summer. Survey work to the west of Mawson Base was well underway and Mawson was manned by a mixture of 1975 and1976 personnel. One of the old guard felt an itch for one last trip with the dogs and ask...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 4
•
52:11
Near Death on an Extinct Antarctic Volcano
At the edge of the Shackelton Ice shelf lies an extinct Antarctic volcano named Gaussberg. In early 1977 Phil was one of the few passengers of the Nella Dan to visit this ancient geological wonder. His task was to obtain updated measurements of...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 3
•
33:18
Sea Voyage - Australia to Antarctica
On Christmas Day, 1975 about fifteen trained personnel had crossed the Southern Ocean and arrived at the Antarctic sea-ice edge to begin the coming year at Australia’s Mawson Base.The account of the trip down in the Nella Dan, the magic ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 2
•
45:30
