Antarctica 1983

In early 1958, at the Japanese Antarctic research station “Shōwa,” a decision was made to set out for the Bottnuten massif in order to determine its location and elevation, and to conduct a geological survey of the area. Three Japanese researchers—Akira Ushioda, a professor in the Department of Geophysics at Hokkaido University; Kenjiro Ochi, a meteorologist from Kyoto University, and Taicho Ozaki, an experienced mountaineer, decided to carry out the expedition using 15 sled dogs. Due to the difficulties of the trek and the onset of bad weather, they returned later than planned. At that time, a Japanese research vessel carrying a relief team was forced to send a plane to retrieve the first group of researchers, bringing back only the people. The dogs were left at the “Showa” base with a week’s supply of food to await the relief team. However, weather conditions, ice, and damage to the ship made this impossible, and both groups returned to Japan. Akira Ushioda tried unsuccessfully to persuade his superiors to allow him to return and retrieve the dogs.