LESSONS OF THE TRIP 221 



eleven miles southward with a load of 770 pounds, and 

 on the same day thirty-two miles northward only 

 four of them, the ' Three Musketeers " and Lassesen, 

 as Fix and Snuppesen refused to do any work. 

 The weight they started with from 80 S. was that 

 of the sledge, 165 pounds; Prestrud, 176 pounds; and 

 myself, 182 pounds. Add to this 154 pounds for sleeping- 

 bags, ski, and dried fish, and we have a total weight of 

 677 pounds, or about 170 pounds per dog. The last day 

 they did sixty-two miles. I think the dogs showed on 

 this occasion that they were well suited for sledging 

 on the Barrier. 



In addition to this brilliant result, we arrived at 

 several other conclusions. In the first place, the ques- 

 tion of the long time spent in our morning preparations 

 thrust itself on our notice: this could not be allowed to 

 occur on the main journey. At least two hours might 

 be saved, I had no doubt of that but how? I should 

 have to take time to think it over. What required 

 most alteration was our heavy outfit. The sledges were 

 constructed with a view to the most difficult conditions 

 of ground. The surface here was of the easiest kind, 

 and consequently permitted the use of the lightest outfit. 

 We ought to be able to reduce the weight of the sledges 

 by at least half possibly more. Our big canvas ski- 

 boots were found to need thorough alteration. They 

 were too small and too stiff, and had to be made larger 

 and softer. Foot-gear had such an important bearing 



