3i6 NEAREST THE POLE 



Conger as a base for future work, and familiarised my- 

 self and party with the entire region as far north as 

 Cape Beechey. 



With the exception of the supplies at Cape D'Urville, 

 all the provisions, together with the current supplies 

 and dog-food (the latter an excessive item), had been 

 transported by sledge. 



Finally, discouraging as was the accident to my feet, 

 I was satisfied, since my effort to reach the northwest 

 coast of Greenland from Fort Conger in May, proved 

 that the season was one of extremely unfavourable ice 

 conditions north of Cape Beechey, and I doubt, even 

 if the accident had not occurred, whether I should 

 have found it advisable on reaching Cape Hecla to 

 attempt the last stage of the journey. 



My decision not to attempt to winter at Fort Conger 

 was arrived at after careful consideration. Two things 

 controlled this decision: First, the uncertainty of 

 carrying dogs through the winter, and, second, the 

 comparative facility with which the distance from 

 Etah to Fort Conger can be covered with light sledges. 



After the rendezvous with the Diana I went on board 

 the latter ship, and visited all the native settlements, 

 gathering skins and material for clothing and sledge 

 equipment, and recruiting my dog-teams. 



The Windward was sent walrus-hunting during my 

 absence. The Diana also assisted in this work. 

 August 25th the Windward sailed for home, followed on 

 the 28th by the Diana, after landing me with my 

 party, equipment, and additional supplies at Etah. 



The Diana seemed to have gathered in and taken 

 with her all the fine weather, leaving us a sequence of 



