This year we are celebrating 50 years since the first soil/ permafrost scientific expedition in the Ross Sea Region of Antarctica. It was undertaken by Prof. John D. McCraw and Dr Graeme G. Claridge. They set off from Scott Base on the Massey Fergusson tractors that Sir Edmund Hillary took to the South Pole in 1957/58 and drove to New Harbour, from which they travelled on foot for several weeks exploring the Taylor Valley and adjacent areas. Graeme Claridge went on to become an expert on Antarctic soil chemistry and, with Iain Campbell, authored the most authoritative book available on the soils of Antarctica. Both McCraw and Claridge are fit and well - (permafrost and cryosol research must be good for you) and we will be holding a celebration to mark their original journey in November this year.