Header Photo: The Komats after descending Sodabread (Photo: Neil Marsden)
Komats…Komats… Komats…Team Report (continued)
The running order has been as follows on centre trace :
Agate Snap Astro Joe
Leader Amber (sometimes Honey) Honey Sledge
Jasper Crackle Honey (or Soopsey) Achilles
with Frankie yet to fit in.
All the dogs, bar Astro, Honey and Soopsey always run on the side indicated. Astro sorts it out for himself according to his mood. Soopsey and Honey so far have no idea. Honey has been tried in all three indicated positions for equal times and works best on the cowcatcher. Frankie is an unknown quantity to me at present.
I’ve used a centre trace for all fieldwork, mainly because I’m too idle to sort out a fan trace for the field, and a modified fan trace around base. The dogs don’t seem to mind either and I’ve had few problems.
As a complete change from last year’s field system whereby all dogs were de-harnessed and put onto a wire night span, I’ve used a 5 dog, lightweight cable and chain night span attached to the rear of the sledge plus the main trace and with harnesses left on all but 3 dogs.
Usually only 3 dogs were on the wire span, the 2 bitches for chewing and Achilles. Achilles I would have left on the trace but he doesn’t get along with his partner-in-crime too well and as middle of the night fight is not exactly conducive to a good night’s rest.
I have found that his new method of night spanning saves quite a lot of time and trouble each evening and morning on travelling days.
Harnesses are better removed from Amber, Honey and Astro as it saves trouble, however if you are short of things to do and have an ample supply of lampwick then they could be left on.
As for commands I’ve conformed to ‘Auk’ (pronounced ‘Owk) and ‘Irrra’ (roll the ‘r’) for left and right, or right and left, anyway Amber will sort it out for you.
‘That’s the way’ and ‘Come on’ are two phrases that I’ve frequently used and which are fit to write down. Numerous others, just as frequently used, are not.
‘Are you ready?…………….Up dogs Huit’ – followed in the event of a still stationary load by a few more ‘Huit’s has been employed to reasonable effect as the starting command.
‘Aaaah now’ is the stopping command and seldom has to be used more than once or even said loudly to have effect, but it is worth saying it even if they’ve already stopped, which they will sometimes if it’s a steep uphill slog, for then you feel entitled to create a fuss when they stop on easy going.
Retribution for sins has been exacted from the unfortunate miscreant by means of harsh words, flying fists, gloves and a rope thumper. If you use your fists watch out, they have very, very hard heads and if you don’t pick the right spot then you lose out. The thumper was needed at the beginning of the year but as we settled down together harsh words, or even a friendly warning, and a waved thumper sufficed.
Fights will be plentiful at first with a new driver as they find out how far they can go and should be adequately dealt with, although later in the season I found that they suffered no harm from an odd fight now and again.
Amber is due to produce some potential Komats, and recruits for other teams, veery shortly and will not be available as leader for a while when the ships arrive. However Astro, if he likes you, is a competent leader and Agate also, though he is very nervous when he realises he’s in charge, could be used in the interim. Jasper, Snap and Crackle all turn to commands and it could provide amusement for all to give them a chance to prove their worth, or otherwise.
Frankie I have now run although only around base and first impressions are – very, very lively; friendly; keen and willing worker. Probably worth considering training her as a leader when she quietens down a little.
Round base running:
I like to run as many dogs as possible and generally used a fan trace. Probably 5 is a reasonable number to start with, you can move loads and 5 dogs can be handled without too much trouble whilst they’re still finding out how far they can go with a new driver. However I see nothing against running the whole team on base chores once the ‘running-in’ period is over. My reasons are : it’s good fun; the more you run the dogs the better you get on together; the more you run the doge together the better they get on. They all like a run so why not give it to them?
As you will notice, if you’ve read through other team reports, there is no fixed way of running a team. Everyone has favourite methods, some try to make these out as the only way. Don’t be conned. Continual driving is the way to gain experience – not reading – so treat the above notes as a record of this year’s methods and perhaps, repeat perhaps as a “Beginner’s Guide To” for future drivers.
Neil Marsden, Surveyor, Base ‘E’, Stonington Island, 1965 & 1966