The names “Platcha” and “Trajer” rung a bell when fellow expeditioner’s began spit balling about a trip up onto the Plateau and back. Brad C organised all the paperwork and five of us came together to form the Brad & Matt show. Consisting of Brad C, Brad J, Matt B (snr), Matt B (jnr) and myself, Matt T.
It was a five day round trip, staying at four seperate huts with a total of just over 60 km to cover. We were extremely lucky with weather conditions, blue skies and minimal wind for the most of it. The trek took us along the coast of Long Fjord, a narrow frozen bay that works its way inland where my grandfather sunk a Hagglund while attempting to rescue another. Upon arriving at Platcha hut, I searched for the old hut logs. I sat in silence while reading entries from 1986 that had my grandfathers name, Albert Bruehwiler, in them and thought about him sitting in the very same hut nearly 40 years ago.
We hiked up onto the Plateau which felt like a scene out of an adventure movie, surround by snow and ice with mountains and frozen lakes in the distance.
Trajer Ridge was our next rest stop. We were fortunate enough to have a “Melon” that slept all five of us inside. It was a cold nights sleep with the wind howling but maybe my younger generation is getting soft when you compare it to the tents they would sleep in up here in the 80’s. Trajer Ridge was thought to be a great location for some skiing lessons back in the day apparently… one of Pops’ favourite activities.
Throughout the five days my mind wandered while wearing his original flappy cap to keep my noggin warm, just as he would’ve on his rec trips. This was more than just a regular Jolly for me, this was an adventure retracing history and a memory I will never forget.
Below is a series of photos and a story from both our time at Davis station.
By Matt Travaglini
Expeditioner Davis 2024
Find out more about Matt and Albert's story here.
