1911] EASY MARCHING 131 



There is no doubt that very long days' work could be done 

 by men in hard condition on ski. 



The hanging back of the second sledge was mainly a ques- 

 tion of condition, but to some extent due to the sledge. We 

 have a 10 ft, whilst the other party has a 12 ft.; the former 

 is a distinct advantage in this case. 



It has been a horrid day. We woke to find a thick covering 

 of sticky ice crystals on everything — a frost rime. I cleared 

 my ski before breakfast and found more on afterwards. There 

 was the suggestion of an early frosty morning at home — such 

 a morning as develops into a beautiful sunshiny day; but in our 

 case, alas! such hopes were shattered: it was almost damp, with 

 temperature near zero and a terribly bad light for travelling. 

 In the afternoon Erebus and Terror showed up for a while. 

 Now it is drifting hard with every sign of a blizzard — a beastly 

 night. This marching is going to be very good for our condition 

 and I shall certainly keep people at it. 



Saturday, February 25. — Fine bright day — easy marching — 

 covered 9 miles and a bit yesterday and the same to-day. Should 

 reach Corner Camp before lunch to-morrow. 



Turned out at 3 A.M. and saw a short black line on the 

 horizon towards White Island. Thought it an odd place for 

 a rock exposure and then observed movement in it. Walked 

 I }i miles towards it and made certain that it was Oates, Bowers, 

 and the ponies. They seemed to be going very fast and evi- 

 dently did not see our camp. To-day we have come on their 

 tracks, and I fear there are only four ponies left. 



James Pigg, our own pony, limits the length of our marches. 

 The men haulers could go on much longer, and we all like pulling 

 on ski. Everyone must be practised in this. 



Sunday, February 26. — Marched on Corner Camp, but sec- 

 ond main party found going very hard and eventually got off 

 their ski and pulled on foot. James Pigg also found the sur- 

 face bad, so we camped and had lunch after doing 3 miles. 



Except for our tent the camp routine is slack. Shall have 

 to tell people that we are out on business, not picnicking. It 

 was another 3 miles to depot after lunch. Found signs of 

 Bowers' party having camped there and glad to see five pony 

 walls. Left six full weeks' provision: i bag of oats, ^ of a 

 bale of fodder. Then Cherry-Garrard, Crean, and I started 



