43. Cape Evans

43.Cape Evans

77º38´12´´S, 166º25´15´´E

West coast of Ross Island, McMurdo Sound

Latest Revision: 2021

Key Features

- Historic hut and associated artefacts from British Antarctic (Terra Nova) Expedition 1910-13 led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott
- Designated Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 155 – entry strictly by permit.
- Associated with several Historic Sites and Monuments
- Views of Mt Erebus and the Transantarctic Mountains

Description

TOPOGRAPHY

Cape Evans is a small, triangular and low-lying ice free area of volcanic origin on the southwestern coast of Ross Island, ~10 kilometres south of Cape Royds (Map 1). Scott’s Terra Nova Hut is located ~30 m from the coast at Home Beach, North Bay (Map 2). Wind Vane Hill (20 m) lies ~150 m southeast of the hut. Mt Erebus (3795 m), an active volcano, lies ~22 km northeast of Cape Evans.

FAUNA

Confirmed breeders: South Polar Skua.

Regularly haul out: Weddell seal.

Other: Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae), emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri), snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea), and Antarctic petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) are commonly observed in the area, although do not breed at Cape Evans. Leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) may occasionally be seen.

FLORA

Crustose lichens have been recorded on Cape Evans.

OTHER

Cape Evans is one of the principal areas of early human activity in Antarctica. The hut built by Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition 1910-13 remains as an important symbol of the heroic era of Antarctic exploration and has been designated Historic Site and Monument (HSM) No. 16. Numerous artefacts remain in the hut and in the surrounding area. The memorial cross (HSM No. 17) on Wind Vane Hill commemorates three members of Shackleton’s Ross Sea party who died in 1916.

Visitor Impact

KNOWN IMPACTS

Disturbance to historic artefacts, cumulative effects of human presence in and around the hut, tracking and ground compaction. Disturbance to skuas and seals.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Damage to hut and associated artefacts, fire, importation of non-native species, litter, disturbance to research, tracking and ground compaction, noise. Disturbance to sensitive fauna and flora communities. Release of asbestos (currently contained within Magnetic hut, which is covered). Fragments of asbestos or other materials may be scattered around the site.

Landing Requirements

SHIPS*

Comments: No current limit on ships, although visitor numbers are subject to the limits set below.
Comments: * A ship is defined as a vessel that carries more than 12 passengers.

VISITORS

Comments: Entry into ASPA No. 155 is prohibited except in accordance with a permit which must be carried on site. All visitors to ASPA No. 155 must be accompanied by a trained guide. Consult the ASPA Management Plan and permit for further information. The historic hut is locked and a key must be obtained as part of the permitting process.
• Annual max. number of visitors into ASPA 155 (including guides): 2000 people.
• Max. number of people in ASPA No. 155 at any one time (including guides and those within the hut): 40 people.
• Max. number of people inside the hut at any one time (including guides): 8 people.

Visitor Area

LANDING AREA

The historic site at Cape Evans may be accessed by first travelling to the cape area adjacent to but outside of the boundaries of ASPA No. 155 by either helicopter, vehicle, small boat, or on foot (Map 1). Access into and within the ASPA shall be on foot. Specific paths or routes of access, or small boat landing sites, are not defined. Vehicles are prohibited on land at Cape Evans unless specifically authorised by permit, and any vehicles used to access Cape Evans must be parked on adjacent sea ice.

Helicopter landings within ASPA No. 155 are prohibited, and overflights should be avoided. Helicopters may land at the Primary landing site (77° 38.32' S 166° 24.45' E) ~350 m southwest of Scott’s hut (Map 1), from where access shall be on foot. The Secondary helicopter landing site is for support of conservation and management only.

CLOSED AREA

• ASPAs are closed except to permit holders. Permit holders must be careful to adhere to the requirements and visitor numbers specified in the Management Plan for ASPA No. 155.
• The Magnetic Hut located on Wind Vane Hill and 80 m south of Scott’s Terra Nova hut is closed for safety reasons (presence of asbestos). The hut is locked and enclosed by a protective covering.
• Refuge huts for science / conservation support are closed to visitors.

GUIDED WALKING AREA

Visitors entering ASPA No. 155 must be accompanied by a guide. Particular care should be taken when walking around the area to avoid historic artefacts still present on the ground, vegetation and skua nesting sites, which may be difficult to see.

FREE ROAMING AREA

Visitors may roam freely under supervision outside of the boundaries of ASPA No. 155 (Map 1). The Visitor Code of Conduct (below) shall be followed at all times. In particular, care should be exercised to avoid nesting skuas, any vegetation, and any scientific installations or camps in the area.

Visitor code of conduct

BEHAVIOUR ASHORE

All waste including human waste must be removed from the area.
Any newly discovered historic artefact(s) should be left in situ. Photograph the item(s), record the location by GPS or on a map, write a description and submit the information to the appropriate national authority as soon as practicable.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: As many areas are cramped and artefacts can be accidentally bumped, do not take bags or wear packs inside, do not use ‘selfie’ sticks for photos, and avoid tripods or monopods when the maximum number of visitors (8) are in the hut at one time.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Do not touch, move or sit on any items or furniture in the hut – handling artefacts causes damage.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Only use tripods or monopods with flat bottomed rubber bases as opposed to those with metal spikes which can damage the hut floor.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Remove or dry before entry, any clothing made wet by sea water, and any sea ice crystals from boots, as salt particles accelerate corrosion of metal objects.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Smoking or the use of any naked flames in or around the historic hut is strictly prohibited, as fire is a major risk.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Thoroughly clean grit, dirt, guano, ice and snow from boots using the brushes provided before entering the hut to reduce floor abrasion.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE HISTORIC HUT: Visits should be recorded in the visitor book provided. This allows data on times and numbers of visitors to be correlated with temperature and humidity data automatically logged inside the hut.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE PROTECTED AREA: No plant or animal materials, food products or chemicals are to be taken into the protected area, and food is not to be consumed inside the hut or surrounding area.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE PROTECTED AREA: Overflights / landings by remotely piloted aircraft systems (drones) are prohibited, except if authorised by permit by a national authority.
BEHAVIOUR WITHIN THE PROTECTED AREA: Take care not to tread on any artefacts, which may be difficult to see.
Do not approach wildlife closer than 5m (or viewing distance consistent with your national programme’s code of conduct), increase the distance if the animal is disturbed, and take particular care around nesting birds.
Nothing, except for waste, is to be taken from the area.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Hazardous materials (e.g. asbestos, chemicals, mould etc.) are present on site, and visitors enter at their own risk. Strictly avoid handling anything within the protected area and huts.

Be aware of the ASPA boundaries (see Maps 1 & 2).

Fig. 1: Scott’s Terra Nova hut at Cape Evans, looking towards Mount Erebus. Photo: A. White, Antarctica NZ (18 Oct 2015).


Fig. 2: Scott’s Terra Nova hut in a blizzard – Photo F. Shanhun, Antarctica NZ (04 Dec 2018).		Fig. 3: Scientific instruments inside Scott’s Terra Nova hut – Photo A. Kerr Antarctica NZ.

43. Cape Evans

This content is not available

Section only available to Meeting Report Contributors

This section is not available

Restricted Section

Log In