The Ochils Mountaineering Club

Antarctica is a continent that fascinates many and still holds a certain mystery. Much of it still hasn’t been mapped in detail, and the virtually untouched icy landscape is a unique place to carry out scientific research. Alison has worked for the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) for over 9 years and over that time has visited this continent three times. Her role is ‘Geographic Data Analyst’, which includes carrying out the fieldwork to collect both aerial photographs and GPS survey points, which are the basis for any new topographic map. Alison will be talking about Antarctica seen through the eyes of someone who carries out fieldwork there, including what different types of scientific research goes on, and her own experience in mapping the glaciers and mountainous regions of the continent. Earlier this year she returned from a field trip to the Antarctic Peninsula and will be explaining what was achieved and what it is like to work in this harsh, but beautiful environment. Ground surveying includes climbing nunataks or accessing regions by boat or helicopter that are difficult to reach on foot or by skidoo. TwinOtter aircraft land on skis in areas that have been visited only rarely, or never, before. Alison will describe the technical challenges of reaching these regions and camping in some of the most isolated locations on earth.