2009-10 AHT's Al Fastier digging trench for deflection dam, Cape Evans

2009-10 Summer. Antarctic Heritage Trust Programme Manager, Ross Sea Heritage Restoration Project Al Fastier excavating the deflection dam trench along the South elevation of Scott's Terra Nova hut, Cape Evans.

Interference dams were installed at the South and West elevations of Terra Nova hut, consisting of continuous polycarbonate sheets placed vertically into the permafrost, and are intended to interrupt groundwater flows; directing water away from the hut. Placing the dams was a simple-enough process once the ground has been cleared of artefacts, but excavating the trenches required days of enormous effort. After completion of the dam insertion, previously excavated wood fragments were scattered over the mound in order to integrate the mound into the surroundings and to deter visitors from walking over and eroding the mound.