Page 25 - 2006 AMA Summer

Mark Bancroft on top of Grubb.
Antarctica gets under the skin. Either the cold seeps in through your fingers leaving you numb, or the awe draws you through its majesty and you fall under its spell, hopelessly smitten, and you know that nothing will ever be the same again; it’s love. For some it’s both. As the yacht "John Laing” sailed north and Antarctica slipped astern, I nursed m y frost bitten thumb and knew that it was an affair that would not die. I had unfinished business and would "come again my love though it were ten thousand mile".
In 2000/01 the British Army Antarctic Expedition (BAAE) spent 10 weeks mountaineering, sailing and carrying out field studies on the Danco Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. They climbed 8 mountains including 2 first ascents and some notable seconds. They also ascended the 16 mile long Reclus Peninsula Ridge to reach and stand upon the edge o f the Antarctic Peninsula Plateau (see the Summer 2004 AMA Journal). Richard Pattison now describes some unfinished business...
Photos by Mark Wyldbore, Steve Ayres and the author
I n January 2001 the BAAE had become the first expedition to retrace Sir Wally Herbert's 1957 descent route of the Reclus Peninsula. In doing so we had stood on the edge of the Forbidden Plateau, the last circa 100 mile uncrossed section of the Antarctic Peninsula and home to the highest
unclimbed peak in British Antarctic Territory . The urge and bravado to try and cross it there and then gave way to the considered reality that circumstances were not right, "better a live donkey than a dead lion” (Shackleton's explanation of why he turned around
less than 100 miles from being first to reach the South Pole). It must wait for another day, perhaps another team. But back in Northern Ireland the flame refused to die and like a slow match it smouldered awaiting rekindling and a chance to burst into flame. All that was needed was a seized opportunity, I started to engineer it. The Scott Polar Research Institute offered encouragement and together we developed a glaciological field studies programme to dig pits to examine layer structures and take samples. A sympathetic brigade commander and desk officer at APC paved the way for the critical approach to HMS Endurance. An initial enquiry met with enthusiastic interest from the captain and held out the prospect of a lift south with the necessary support ashore. But celebration was premature; unease in Fleet HQ was given succour by FCO priorities and what ever hope was left succumbed to the extended refit programme. In desperation I clutched at straws, time was now short and prospects of a return this season fading. And then a life line, well like buses, two came along together but I needed them both. First the offer of passage on board a yacht, at far below a commercial price and second the offer of sponsorship from FlyBe, the regional airline. Drawing the remaining strands together was a challenge, deployment dates changed, team members were recruited and then forced to withdraw. From the BAAE team S/Sgt Steve Ayres and Capt Harry Scrope were quickly recruited. Fresh but enthusiastic blood was recruited in the shape of Capt Mark Wyldbore, Lt Chris Wright and L/Sgt Marcus Harriott. Then 10 days before departure an unwelcome text from Harry announcing a broken leg. great timing mate!! His place was taken by Lt-Cdr (Rtd) Clive Waghorn, who was the only person I knew who could join at such short notice, even then he had
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