The 2003/04 season was the first operational season of the LGP at Cape Hallett. The camp was operational from mid-November 2003 to the end of January 2004. It was staffed by two permanent camp personnel and accommodated 16 New Zealand and 6 U.S. scientists over the season.

Parts of Cape Hallett have been designated as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA). An Initial Environmental Evaluation was therefore completed and accepted for the operation of this camp. The camp consisted of three Rac-Tents; one used as kitchen and dining area, the other two as laboratories. Polar and Endura tents were used for sleeping accommodation. Two skidoos provided transportation around the vicintity while the sea ice was safe for skidoo travel.

Four 'episodes' of scientists working from the camp occurred through the season:

Episode 1: Work on and through the sea ice looking at ice algae (Ryan), plankton larvae (Sewell) and fish (Marshall).

Episode 2: Setting up an AWS, taking snow cores from the nearby Towles Glacier (Nylen).

Episode 3: Work on the surrounding soils, terrestrial and non-marine aquatic biology (Aislabie, Hawes, Novis, Lyons).

Episode 4: Mapping of mosses and lichens and sampling of springtails (Green).

In addition, the camp hosted a NZ remediation team who spent four weeks deconstructing the remains of the old Hallett Station and clearing up general debris that has been left in the area since the station was closed in 1973.

In Decemeber the camp was re-supplied by an airdrop performed by the New Zealand Defence Force. This was undertaken with precise accuracy!

Having the camp operational from November to January meant that the camp personnel could experience the seasonal changes as the penguins arrived at the colony, the skuas arrived at their nests and the sea ice gradually broke-out through the season.

This season was highly successful and gave the researchers valuable experience for their work at Cape Hallett in the coming seasons.