14. Snow Hill Hut

14.Snow Hill Hut

64º21´50´´S, 56º59´31´´W

North coast of Snow Hill Island, at Admiralty Sound (Weddell Sea).

Latest Revision: 2019

Key Features

- Wooden hut of the expedition led by Otto Nordenskjöld (1902)
- Presence of basalt dikes

Description

TOPOGRAPHY

The hut is found on the northeast coast of Snow Hill Island. The relief is characterized by three distinct units: the topography gradually rises from the coastline to the 5-10 m contour in terraced sedimentary levels. On one of these the Nordenskjöld hut is found. From there up to the 170 m contour, the relief consists of steep slopes (15-40°), which are highly dissected by deep fluvial valleys. This area has abundant fossils of marine origin and is traversed by basalt dikes that run NE-SW. Due to their greater resistance to erosion, these constitute important topographic features. The most important feature is Haslum crag, a small volcanic neck. At the 170 m contour, the topography descends gradually to the Weddell Sea.

Confirmed breeders: 3-5 nests of kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) and Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata) 500 meters northeast of the hut on the northwest facing slope.

FLORA

Virtually absent.

OTHER

Wooden hut on Snow Hill Island built in February 1902 by the main party of the Swedish South Polar Expedition led by Otto Nordenskjöld. It was designated as Historic Site and Monument No 38 in the framework of the Antarctic Treaty. The hut contains original objects from the expedition and functions as a museum, which is managed by Argentina and Sweden.

Visitor Impact

KNOWN IMPACTS

Some acts of vandalism in the hut’s interior have been recorded in the past.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

Worsening of erosive processes -naturally rapid in the area of the location of the hut- due to trampling. Fire. Small fuel leaks.

Landing Requirements

SHIPS*

Max pax on board: 200
Ships at a time: 1
Comments: Operators will send an email to the Argentine CEP contact points anticipating the visit. Likewise, when there is presence of Antarctic Program personnel working in the hut or surroundings, the expedition leaders will communicate by channel 16 once in the area to coordinate the visit.
*A ship is defined as a vessel which carries more than 12 passengers.

VISITORS

Maximum number of visitors at any time, exclusive of expedition guides and leaders: 100
Visitors per guide: 20
Curfew time period (from/to), in order to establish a rest period for wildlife: 19:00-08:00
Comments: When staff of National Antarctic Programs are working in the area, do not disembark between 19:00 and 08:00 hrs (local time). Visits to the interior of the hut should be conducted in groups of no more than 5 persons at a time.

Visitor Area

LANDING AREA

On the beach facing the hut, northeast of the stream (see map).

CLOSED AREA

Closed area A: The northeast and southwestern ends of the small terrace on which the hut is located, to avoid the acceleration of erosive processes. These areas are clearly marked with stakes and rope.
Closed area B: The entire area with steep slopes. This area has important paleontological deposits. The terrace that is located to the southeast of the hut at 15 meters above sea level and the ascending path to it is excluded from the closed area (see next section)
Closed area C: Small sediment hill located 80 meters southwest of the hut, due to the presence of archaeological remains of the magnetic observatory.

GUIDED WALKING AREA

Visitors should use the path that is shown on the map to go to the hut and return to the landing area. To climb the terrace on which the hut is found, they should only use the stairs. No more than 10 persons at a time are permitted on the terrace on which the hut is located, of which, up to 5 people may enter the hut at a time, as indicated above under the item "visitors in Landing Requirements".
Access to the terrace that is located to the southeast of the hut at 15 meters above sea level and to the ascending path, shall only be completed using the access path. (see map).

FREE ROAMING AREA

Visitors can move freely under supervision along the glaciofluvial plain around the landing site and extending southwest of the stream (see map). No visitor access is permitted beyond the slope ridge.

Visitor code of conduct

BEHAVIOUR ASHORE

Caution should be exercised around the hut and on the small terrace on which it sits.
Collection of fossils or any other type of material from the ground is prohibited.
Do not step on, move or damage the structures built to prop up the foundations of the hut. Before entering the hut, visitors should: clean their footwear; remove snow and humidity from clothes and backpacks; avoid touching any object that is on display in the hut or in National Antarctic Program camps installed in the vicinity.
In the absence of National Antarctic Program personnel in the hut and surroundings, the Expedition Leader should make sure that the hut door is properly locked.
Smoking is strictly prohibited.

CAUTIONARY NOTES

14. Snow Hill Hut

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