WORK ON THE SLEDGES 349 



rise to 1,100 feet which we measured as the rise from 

 Framheim to a point about thirty-one miles to the south 

 without subjacent land. 



Work now proceeded on the sledging outfit with 

 feverish haste. We had for a long time been aware 

 that we should have to do our utmost and make the 

 best use of our time if we were to have the general 

 outfit for our common use ready by the middle of 

 August. For preparing our personal outfit we had to 

 use our leisure time. By the first half of August we 

 could begin to see the end of our labour. Bjaaland had 

 now finished the four sledges. It was a masterly piece 

 of work that he had carried out in the course of the 

 winter; they were extremely lightly constructed, but 

 very strong. They were of the same length as the 

 original sledges about 12 feet and were not shod. 

 We should have a couple of the old Fram sledges with 

 us, and these were shod with strong steel plates, so that 

 they could be used if the surface and going rendered it 

 necessary. The average weight of the new sledges was 

 53 pounds. We had thus saved as much as 110 pounds 

 per sledge. 



When Bjaaland had finished them, they were taken 

 into the " Clothing Store." The way in which Hanssen 

 and Wisting lashed the various parts together was a 

 guarantee of their soundness; in fact, the only way in 

 which one can expect work to be properly and carefully 

 carried out is to have it done by the very men who are 



