GLACIAL FRINGE OF GRANT LAND 183 



The peak is a steep conical pile of loose stones, and 

 though only 1,800 feet high, it took us two hoiirs to 

 make the ascent. I am very much below par, even 

 more than I thought, no wind and no strength. 

 Obliged to stop every little way and rest. Arrived at 

 the top we built a cairn about five feet high and four 

 to five feet in diameter, with an ash pole in the centre, 

 hoisted my flag, took some photos, placed a record and 

 piece of the flag in a tin inside the cairn, then made the 

 descent down a steep snow bank, plunging rapidly and 

 making fast time, though at the expense of my stumps. 



The weather was now growing more threatening, 

 and two or three times banks of fog had momentarily 

 enveloped us. 



We started west again and came on to Cape Nares 

 where we camped on a patch of bare gravel near two 

 conical mounds (similar to those on the ice-cap of 

 Greenland) a few hundred yards out from the base of 

 the cliffs. We found abundant water close by. The 

 wind was now increasing, the sky entirely overcast 

 and there was every indication of a storm. 



Before midnight the wind was blowing, the snow 

 driving in horizontal lines against the tent, which was 

 flapping and complaining loudly. 



This has continued ever since but appears to be 

 moderating now. 



About 3 A, M. of the 9th the weather moderated, but 

 I did not care to start then and get into day-travelling 

 again, so I sent Ooblooyah and Egingwah back to 

 Cape Columbia to feed the dogs and bring the rest of 

 the bull musk-ox meat up. 



