The principal field activity of the A.N.A.R.E. party at Mawson during the 1957–58 summer was the determination of ice thickness along a section of the Antarctic plateau. In previous years the summer expeditions inland had concentrated on the survey and geology of the Prince Charles Mountains, south-east of Mawson. While this programme was continued in 1957–58 as opportunity presented, and in fact air photography of the ranges almost completed, the main I.G.Y. field effort was directed towards seismic ice-depth determinations. These were the responsibility of the Bureau of Mineral Resources, and a seismologist was seconded to the Antarctic Division, together with equipment for the purpose.

The traverse made lay southwards from Mawson, following approximately the meridian 62° 08′ E. It was known from prior air reconnaissance that a south-westerly spur of the Prince Charles Mountains system cut across the route in the vicinity of lat. 73° to 74° S., but the exact location was unknown. The intention was to map this spur, then skirt it to the west and resume the seismic traverse southwards.