chap, xiv ICE FJORD 205 



debris, and eventually, in order to cross, up an icy slope 

 of about 40 . Harnessing both ponies to one sledge at a 

 time, and ourselves hauling with all our might, we managed 

 to get both sledges up, but they were a wreck of their 

 former selves. We had to keep high up to cross the next 

 gully, and then down the steep upper slopes, where the 

 native sledge utterly collapsed. First one runner gave way, 

 then the other. The sledge was running on its bottom. 

 Then that gave way. So I abandoned it to its fate, and 

 harnessed both ponies to the remaining sledge, which was 

 in the dickiest condition. We eventually struggled into 

 camp at midnight, wet, tired, and miserable. It had rained 

 and sleeted nearly all day, and I was several times in 

 despair of getting either sledge through. Carl fetched in 

 the broken sledge next day." 



