Australian Antarctic Division: Leading Australia’s Antarctic Program

A walk to Welch Island

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This week at Mawson: 7 June 2013

View from the top

Welch Island is a very prominent fixture on the Mawson landscape. It’s about 6 km from station about 1.5 km long and 130 meters high. Although it seems a lot higher when you’re climbing up it.

Welch Island was discovered in February 1931 by the British Australian and New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition (BANZARE) under Sir Douglas Mawson, who named it for B. F. Welch, Second Engineer on the Discovery.

When we were first allowed on to the ice most of the station took a stroll out to Welch Is. It’s a very pleasant way to spend a Sunday. The view from the top is amazing.

Welch Is viewed from Mawson, with the wind turbine in the foreground
Welch Island in the distance behind the wind turbine
(Photo: Cliff Simpson Davis)
Peter Layt walking on the ice, dragging a small sled
Pete L the intrepid expeditioner
(Photo: Cliff Simpson Davis)
Cliff Simpson out on the ice, dragging a sled
Come on Cliffy step up the pace, you are not at work…
(Photo: Peter Layt)
Ice formation
Some interesting ice formations on the way
(Photo: Cliff Simpson Davis)
View from Welch Is. Expeditioner in the foreground, waving
Peter L, what an awesome view
(Photo: Cliff Simpson Davis)
Cliff Simpson on Welch Is, with Davis in the background
Cliffy, woohoo I made it.
(Photo: Peter Layt)
Icebergs viewed from Welch Island
Some amazing bergs seen from the top too.
(Photo: Cliff Simpson Davis)
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