A call to save Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut in Antarctica

A call for New Zealanders to finish the campaign to save Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut in Antarctica

The 2012-kilometre tractor journey, Expedition South, to help raise $1 million to save Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut in Antarctica has finished alongside Sir Ed’s statue at The Hermitage in Mt Cook.

The three tractors – two Ferguson TE20s and a Massey Ferguson Antarctica 2 – ended their journey at 2pm this afternoon (Monday, 19 August 2016).

Expedition Leader Al Fastier says it was a great feeling.

“It has been an enormous journey – we’ve had snow, storms but an abundance of fantastic support since we left Piha on 23 August.”

The expedition was put together by the Antarctic Heritage Trust to help raise the $1 million it needs to save Sir Ed’s hut (and the artefacts inside it) at Scott Base and conserve them for 25 years.

So far, the Trust has raised nearly $700,000 – nearly $100,000 of that has been donated since Expedition South began.

The Trust’s executive director Nigel Watson says they’re delighted with what’s been achieved.

“New Zealanders have swung in behind us to help save this iconic slice of kiwi history. We still need to raise another $300,000 and are hoping the public will get us over the line.”

Anyone can donate to the campaign via givealittle.co.nz or expeditionsouth.nz.

“We need another 60,000 New Zealanders to donate $5 each to help us reach the target. Obviously, the $5 note has Sir Ed’s face on it so we can’t think of a better use for it.”

Hillary's Hut, also known as Hut A or the Trans-Antarctic Expedition Hut, was the first building constructed at Scott Base and is where Sir Ed’s team began their historic Ferguson tractor expedition to the South Pole in 1957.

Nearly 60 years on, Hillary’s Hut has a leaking roof, asbestos that needs removing, melt-pools forming under the floorboards and the memorabilia within it is showing signs of damage and corrosion.

Sir Ed’s son Peter Hillary, who drove one of the TE-20 tractors into The Hermitage, says it was a nostalgic moment.

“Being on the same tractor as Dad’s expedition had when they went to the South Pole was a nice nod to history.”

Peter Hillary says Sir Ed saw his work in Antarctica as one of his major achievements and was attached to the hut.

“Dad spent a lot of time in that hut – it was where his office was and where his bunkbed was. I’m hoping New Zealanders will come to the party and help the Trust save it – it is an important part of kiwi history on the Ice.”

You can find some images of the final stages here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a4bog25gl2bwqj5/AABMfhpV-kT2Z9q7lDak0tk4a?dl=0

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