Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition

The Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (CTAE) was an expedition funded by the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, whose primary objective was to complete the first overland crossing of Antarctica as a contribution to the International Geophysical Year (IGY). CTAE was led by Sir Vivian Fuchs with New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary leading a supply support team.

In November 1957, Fuchs led a twelve member team that began from the Shackleton Base at Weddell Sea and crossed 3,473 km (2,158 mi) of unexplored snow and ice to reach Scott Base on the Ross Sea on March 2 1958. With the use of specially adapted tractors and Sno-Cats, Fuchs' party managed to complete the historic overland journey in a mere 99 days. Along the way, the team also performed scientific research including seismic soundings and gravimetric readings.

Hillary and his team, using converted Ferguson tractors, established a line of supply depots from Scott Base up the Skelton Glacier and across the Polar Plateau to the South Pole in support of the main expedition lead by Fuchs. Hillary was not supposed to go to the Pole but saw the opportunity to beat the British there so he went for it and reached the South Pole on January 3, 1958, becoming just the third party (preceded by Amundsen in 1911 and Scott in 1912) to do so by overland journey. It also marked the first time vehicles had ever reached the pole. Fuchs' team joined Hillary at the Pole on January 20. Hillary drove back to Scott Base with the main expedition to show them the way.

Fuchs was knighted for his accomplishment. The second crossing of the continent did not happen until 1981.