Big finish for expedition helping to save Sir Ed's Hut

Media release for immediate use, Friday 16 August 2016

Big finish for expedition helping to save Sir Ed’s hut in Antarctica

An historic Beaver aeroplane, a team of husky dogs and a group whose parents were on Sir Ed’s historic trip to the South Pole will help celebrate the finish of the 2012-kilometre tractor journey, Expedition South.

Expedition South plans to finish at The Hermitage in Aoraki Mount Cook at 2pm on Monday, 19 September 2016. It set off from Piha Beach on 23 August.

Expedition leader Al Fastier says it has been an epic journey.

“The reception we have had the whole way has been amazing – we’ve had mayoral welcomes, afternoon teas, campfires and many unforgettable yarns. The journey itself has been breathtaking in parts and difficult in others - we’ve battled mechanical failure, snow and storms.”

The expedition was undertaken by the Antarctic Heritage Trust to help raise the $1 million it needs to save Sir Edmund Hillary’s hut (and the artefacts inside it) and conserve them for 25 years.

It emulates the historic expedition from Scott Base to the South Pole – both expeditions being 2012- kilometres and carried out on three tractors. Sir Ed’s team made its journey on Ferguson TE20s, Expedition South has two of those and a new Massey Ferguson Antarctica 2.

Executive Director Nigel Watson says the expedition has been a huge success with more than $90,000 collected from New Zealanders on the road, through givealittle, and at events along the way.

“Other donations mean we have now raised around $680,000 to save the hut. We still need around $320,000 so are calling on New Zealanders to join us with one final push to save this iconic slice of kiwi history – the easiest way to donate is through givealittle or expeditionsouth.nz.”

Nigel Watson says the final leg will be spectacular.

“We will have an historic Beaver plane – like the one Sir Ed’s expedition took to Antarctica – fly over the tractors which will be lead by a team of husky dogs to The Hermitage.”

We will also have members of the Hillary, Mulgrew, Ellis and Ayres families there.

“Peter Mulgrew, Murray Ellis and Harry Ayres all went to Antarctica with Sir Ed so it will be very special to have their families there. The Expedition South team certainly deserves to finish with a flourish and I’m sure they will,” says Nigel Watson.

© Scoop Media