THE ICE-CAP AND BACK 



We are now left in a very unpleasant state of 

 uncertainty concerning the way we are to get back 

 to civilization. The Disko, it was reported by 

 Erlanson, did not expect to stop on its way south- 

 ward, and there is no other boat scheduled to stop 

 at Holstensborg. We are unable to communicate 

 with Holstensborg except by kayakers. We have 

 still, however, supplies to be packed to the sum- 

 mit of Mount Evans for the winter supply and all 

 now turn in on this work. Kallquist and Oscan- 

 yan have not been idle during our absence and 

 have made an excellent start. 



Church now takes charge of building a balloon 

 shelter near the theodolite stand though just over 

 the crest of Mount Evans summit. In this posi- 

 tion he is able to make use of the steep slope for 

 the back of the shelter. The walls are made of 

 sod and rock, the roof of thin bamboos in great 

 numbers woven crosswise so as to support the load 

 of the heavy riding sail. Heavy wire cables are 

 now carried over the roof and are anchored to 

 great boulders on either side. The riding sail also 

 makes a flap door on the lower side of the shelter. 



Beautiful auroras at night make their appear- 

 ance with streamers and draperies. These auroras 

 interfere seriously with our short-wave radio sig- 

 nals, though the long-wave signals come through 



181 



