Status report sent direct to Operations HQ at 1223 GMT:

“Things have taken a rapid turn for the better in the last few hours. Wind has dropped off and the sun has come out. We are currently digging the Ice Train out – its a big job. Cabooses are out as is the ISO and 2 x fuel scoots. The Belgian Lehmann [sledge] is next but I’m not joking when I say you can’t see it and there is two metres of snow on top of it. Soon we will be unpacking and sorting the 2 x ISO and that is likely to take the rest of the day. Travel to the coast is now possible but we are concentrating on the digging at the moment.”

We will keep you posted on all developments.