Ice Cap Journey

Amateur footage of the Oxford University Iceland Expedition 1947, led by F.H. Whitehead.

Film of the Oxford University Iceland Expedition 1947, led by F.H. Whitehead. Begins with a pony caravan setting off from their base - a farm called Kálfafell - and men hauling sledges across the ice. Camp is set up, and there are various domestic scenes. The team are seen moving on across the ice, scenes at camp and on the ice. Pony caravan shown at end on their return.

Sponsored by the Oxford University Exploration Club, this expedition studied on the margins of the Skaftárjökull, one of the south-western outlet glaciers of Vatnajökull, some 800m above sea level. The main aims were to study soil ecology in a sub-Arctic area and of the geological and glaciological problems of the Grímsvötn region of Vatnajökull. Team members were:- F.H. Whitehead (leader and botanist), C.W.H. Swithinbank (geographer), A. Treloar (surveyor), P. Phizackerley (geologist), P. Beckett (chemist) and H. Morris (assistant botanist).