1910] on the Forthcoming Antarctic Expedition 867 



dangers in the journeys they undertake. But I can imagine no 

 direction in which the hardships and difficulties of sledge journeys 

 will be more amply rewarded. Should this party be safely landed, 

 I should endeavour to give them some connection with the Western 

 party — 400 miles to the westward — by landing additional stores at 

 one or two places on the Barrier edge, if such places can be found. 



After landing the Eastern party, the ship will return to McMurdo 

 Sound, and then proceed to the northward. I am hopeful that at 

 the latest this will be in about the third week of February, and that 

 a considerable supply of coal will still remain. If that is so, she will 

 be directed to investigate the pack in the region of the Balleny 

 Islands, and to proceed to the westward through or to the south of 

 these islands. My hope is, that by then again steering to the south, 

 she may throw some further light upon the coast-line between Cape 

 North and Adelie Land, and reconnoitre this coast with a view to 

 landing parties upon it on a future occasion. It will be remembered 

 that we found the sea shallow to the westward of the Balleny Islands, 

 and therefore, even if the Terra Nova is unable to undertake further 

 geographical discovery, I hope that some time may be spent in bio- 

 logical investigations in the shallow waters of this sea. These objects 

 will occupy the ship during the month of March, after which she 

 will be directed to return to New Zealand. 



Returning to the Western party, I hope that the month of April 

 will find all safely established in the hut, with suitable depots laid 

 well south on the Barrier. 



During the winter, preparations will be made for a great effort to 

 reach the South Pole in the following season. By that time we shall 

 know what reliance can be placed respectively on the ponies, the 

 dogs, and the motor sledges. But in any case a large party of men 

 will be detailed for the Southern party. Some of the scientific staff 

 wiU remain at the wintering station throughout the summer. A 

 small party will act independently in the western mountains for 

 geological purposes ; but at least sixteen, and possibly more, men 

 will accompany the main transport agents on the road to the south. 



I may pause here to give my opinion on the conditions and 

 prospects of the southern journey. We know now that the first 

 phase of that journey must be over the plateau of the Great Barrier, 

 the second a climb through mountain passes, and the third a tra- 

 verse of a lofty inland plain. It is only possible, certainly not 

 probable, that any means of transport can be taken beyond the first 

 phase. If it is impossible, then we shall have, as had Sir Ernest 

 Shackleton, to make all further advance with the unaided efforts of 

 men alone. Shackleton's party started on the second phase with 

 full loads, and achieved what is probably the maximum that could 

 be accomplished under such circumstances. The only manner in 

 which such a record could be beaten is by taking a larger party of 

 men and sending sections of them back at intervals. This is, of 



