1998-1999 ANSMET Expedition

Pictures from the 1998-1999 ANSMET Expedition to Graves Nunataks, Antarctica

(December 1998 - January 1999)

Here are a number of pictures that Scott took while he was hunting for meteorites during the 1998-1999 Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) Expedition to the Grave Nunataks area. Graves Nunataks lies at the southern end of the Transantarctic Mountains and is only about 200 miles from the South Pole. Our Graves Nunataks camp was sited at 86^o43.628' S, 142^o07.467' W.

The weather during this particular trip was extremely bad and the field team only managed to spend six days out of their tents while near Graves Nunataks. The rest of the time we were hunkered down in our tents waiting for storms to blow through.

The team members of the 1998-1999 ANSMET team were Paul Benoit, Nancy Chabot, Diane DiMassa, Ralph Harvey, Barry Lopez, Scott Sandford, and John Schutte. For additional information about the 1998-1999 ANSMET field season and for a large number of additional pictures, see the well-organized set of pages about the trip put together by Nancy Chabot.

Click on any photo in order to obtain a larger image.

Field Searching

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The members of the 1998-1999 ANSMET Field Expedition. From left to right - Scott Sandford, Barry Lopez, Nancy Chabot, Diane DiMassa, John Schutte, Paul Benoit (not pictured - Ralph Harvey)

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A meteorite found on the ice on one of the Graves Nunataks icefields. The blackened area is the meteorite's fusion crust. Most meteorites we find are smaller than this (a typical size is that of a golf ball).

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The Stone Man Nunataks camp site from the air (86^o50.646' S, 143^o03.188' W). Scott took this picture out the side window of a Twin Otter while it was standing on its left wing in preparation for landing.

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The ice in this icefall descends off the La Gorce Mountains near Kessen's Peak. The small 'dot' in the lower left is a person on a snowmobile. The top of the icefall had an impressive cornice.

Extraction from the field by ski-equipped C-130 Hercules

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What's it feel like to have a ski-equipped C-130 Hercules land on top of you?

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Could have hit it with a snowball If it weren't too cold to make a snowball!)

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Believe it or not, I had to use my wide-angle lens to get the plane to fit in the frame. After taking the picture I was able to easily count the rivets in the skis!

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Touchdown! After it does a little taxiing on the snow it will be time to load all our gear into the Herc and head for McMurdo Station on Ross Island.

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Looking out the back of a C-130 Hercules as the tail door is raised. Part of the La Gorce range can be seen out the door.

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A view out the window after take off. Time to say goodbye to the La Gorce Mountains and environs.

Finally, if you'd like to see Scott braving the Antarctic elements in a SWIMSUIT, click here.

Do you have any questions about this web site? Feel free to contact us.

(78k) The members of the 1998-1999 ANSMET Field Expedition. From left to right - Scott Sandford, Barry Lopez, Nancy Chabot, Diane DiMassa, John Schutte, Paul Benoit (not pictured - Ralph Harvey)	(78k) A meteorite found on the ice on one of the Graves Nunataks icefields. The blackened area is the meteorite's fusion crust. Most meteorites we find are smaller than this (a typical size is that of a golf ball).
(137k) The Stone Man Nunataks camp site from the air (86^o50.646' S, 143^o03.188' W). Scott took this picture out the side window of a Twin Otter while it was standing on its left wing in preparation for landing.	(78k) The ice in this icefall descends off the La Gorce Mountains near Kessen's Peak. The small 'dot' in the lower left is a person on a snowmobile. The top of the icefall had an impressive cornice.

(98k) What's it feel like to have a ski-equipped C-130 Hercules land on top of you?	(59k) Could have hit it with a snowball If it weren't too cold to make a snowball!)
(78k) Believe it or not, I had to use my wide-angle lens to get the plane to fit in the frame. After taking the picture I was able to easily count the rivets in the skis!	(78k) Touchdown! After it does a little taxiing on the snow it will be time to load all our gear into the Herc and head for McMurdo Station on Ross Island.
(59k) Looking out the back of a C-130 Hercules as the tail door is raised. Part of the La Gorce range can be seen out the door.	(78k) A view out the window after take off. Time to say goodbye to the La Gorce Mountains and environs.