South Pole Traverse Project Records
SPEC.PA.56.5004
Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
2.4 Cubic feet
1956-2007
The South Pole Traverse Project was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and resulted in the construction of the South Pole Traverse between 2002-2005; the traverse is an approximately 1000 mile long route over ice and packed snow in Antarctica linking McMurdo Station with Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The South Pole Traverse Project Records consist of project records related to the development of the South Pole Traverse by the NSF. Materials date from 1956 to 2007; materials from before 2002-2005 were gathered as background research in support of the project.
(2) cartons
English
United States Antarctic Program
Arrangement of Materials
The South Pole Traverse Project Records are arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.
Acquisitions Information
Accession No. PA.2016.0007: David M. Bresnahan, 2016 April
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], South Pole Traverse Project Records, SPEC.PA.56.5004, Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program, Ohio State University
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the University Archives reading room only. Contact the Byrd Polar and Climate Research Center Archival Program at polararchives@osu.edu for more information.
Use of Materials
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.
Processing Information
Processed by: Polar Archives student employees, 2016 April; Finding aid written by: Audrey Wimbiscus, 2025 December
Historical Note
The South Pole Traverse, also called the South Pole Overland Traverse or the McMurdo-South Pole Highway, is an approximately 1000 mile long route over ice and packed snow in Antarctica. It links McMurdo Station on the Antarctic coast with Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in the center of the continent. The South Pole Traverse Project was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and resulted in the construction of the South Pole Traverse between 2002 and the end of 2005. It opened at the end of 2005, and requires yearly maintenance and inspections to ensure there are no new crevasses opening along the route. The NSF built the route in an attempt to lower the cost of supplying the South Pole Station, and allow for more reliable transport there, as bad weather often would prevent supply flights from landing. The South Pole Traverse also allows easier transport of weightier supplies like telescopes or bulk fuel shipments. As of 2025, it is primarily traversed by convoys of tracked hauler vehicles and sleds.
Scope and Contents
The South Pole Traverse Project Records consist of materials related to the development of the South Pole Traverse by the National Science Foundation. Materials date from 1956 to 2007; materials from before 2002-2005 (the dates of the actual project) were gathered as background research in support of the project. These project records include manuals, annual reports detailing the progress of the project, and additional background research gathered in support of the project, including how it would increase availability of LC-130H aircraft for scientific research since they would no longer be tied up in supply runs.
South Pole Traverse Project
United States Antarctic Program
Amundsen Scott South Pole Station (Antarctica)
Ice crossings--Antarctica--Design and construction
McMurdo Station (Antarctica)
Project files
Reports
South Pole Traverse--Design and construction--21st century
Aircrew Reference and Planning Aid: VXE-6
1
1
1992
Aircrew Reference and Planning Aid: VXE-6
1
2
1995
Amundsen- Scott South Pole Station Guide
1
3
2006-2007
Analysis of McMurdo to South Pole Traverse as a Means to Increase LC-130 Availability in the USAP
1
4
undated
Antarctic Scientific Diving Manual
1
5
1994 October
Antarctic Traverse Workshop Summary Report
1
6
1994 May 2-4
Concordia Traverses Reports
1
7
1999-2000, undated
Concordia Traverses Reports
1
8
2000-2003
Development and Implementation of Surface Traverse Capabilities in Antarctica Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation, Draft
1
9
2004
Development and Implementation of Surface Traverse Capabilities in Antarctica Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation, Final Draft
1
10
2004
Development of a Modern Heavy-Haul Tranverse for Antarctica
1
11
undated
Field Manual for the U.S. Antarctica Program
1
12
1993 June
Field Manual for the United States Antarctica Program
1
13
2002 August
Field Planning Aid
1
14
1988 August
Final Report and Recommendations of the South Pole Traverse Proof-of-Concept Project
1
15
2006 June
Glacial Ice Runway Development and Wheeled Flight Operations at McMurdo, Antarctica
1
16
1994 March 10
Guidelines for the Conduct of Scientific Diving
1
17
1994 August
Ice Runs Near the South Pole
1
18
1989 March
McMurdo to Pole and Back: The Concept is Proved
1
19
2006 March
McMurdo to South Pole: Traverse Development Project- Final Report
1
20-21
1996 September
Mill Glacier Traverse Study
1
22
1998 July 2
OMB Issue Study Material
1
23-24
1972
Operation Deep Freeze II: Army-Navy Trial Party Report
1
25
1956
Outline for the Programmatic and Overland Traverse Issues to Support the South Pole Redevelopment Project
1
26
1956-1957, 1995
Overland Traverse Workshop
1
27-28
1996 April 2-3
Oversnow Transport
1
29
1963 January
Oversnow Traverse Papers
1
30
1988
Recreational Walking Guide to Ross Island
1
31
undated
Report on Preliminary Work Required to Establish an Extended Overland Transportation Capability
1
32
1988 March 1
South Pole Route: Necessity or Scar on the Landscape?
1
33
2003-2004
South Pole Traverse: Correspondence and Notes
2
1
1
34
1993-1995
South Pole Traverse Project: Crossing the Ross Ice Shelf Part 1
2
2
2004 June
South Pole Traverse Project: Crossing the Ross Ice Shelf Part 2 and Ascending the Levertt Glacier
2
3
2005 July
South Pole Traverse Project: Oversnow Mobility Workshop
2
4
2004 March 31-April 1
South Pole Traverse Project: 2nd Oversnow Moblility Workshop
2
5
2005 March 28-31
South Pole Traverse Project: Reports
2
6
2003-2004
South Pole Traverse Project: Route Notes- Year 2
2
7
2004 March 31
South Pole Traverse Project: Route Notes- Year 3
2
8
2005 March 31
South Pole Traverse Project: Route Notes- Year 4
2
9
2006 April
Traverse Reconnaissance Operations Plan
2
10-11
1995-1996
United States Antarctica Program: Science Program Summary
2
12
1996-1997
United States Antarctica Program: Science Program Summary
2
13
1997-1998
United States Antarctica Program: Science Program Summary
2
14
1998-1999
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
15
1999-2000
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
16
2000-2001
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
17
2001-2002
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
18
2002-2003
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
19
2003-2004
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
20
2004-2005
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
21
2005-2006
United States Antarctica Program: Science Planning Summary
2
22
2006-2007