334 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [December 



for better things, but it makes me feel a little bitter to contrast 

 such weather with that experienced by our predecessors. 



Camp 30. — The wind fell in the forenoon, at 12.30 the sky 

 began to clear, by i the sun shone, by 2 p.m. we were away, 

 and by 8 P.M. camped here with 13 miles to the good. The land 

 was quite clear throughout the march and the features easily 

 recognised. There are several uncharted glaciers of large di- 

 mensions, a confluence of three under Mount Reid. The moun- 

 tains are rounded in outline, very massive, with small excrescent 

 peaks and undeveloped ' cwms ' (T. + 18°). The cwms are 

 very fine in the lower foot-hills and the glaciers have carved 

 deep channels between walls at very high angles; one or two 

 peaks on the foot-hills stand bare and almost perpendicular, 

 probably granite; we should know later. Ahead of us is the 

 ice-rounded, boulder-strewn Mount Hope and the gateway to 

 the Glacier. We should reach it easily enough on to-morrow's 

 march if we can compass 12 miles. The ponies marched splen- 

 didly to-day, crossing the deep snow in the undulations without 

 difficulty. They must be in very much better condition than 

 Shackleton's animals, and indeed there isn't a doubt they would 

 go many miles yet if food allowed. The dogs are simply splen- 

 did, but came in wanting food, so we had to sacrifice poor little 

 Michael, who, like the rest, had lots of fat on him. All the tents 

 are consuming pony flesh and thoroughly enjoying It. 



We have only lost 5 or 6 miles on these two wretched days, 

 but the disturbed condition of the weather makes me anxious 

 with regard to the Glacier, where more than anywhere we shall 

 need fine days. One has a horrid feeling that this is a real bad 

 season. However, sufficient for the day Is the evil thereof. 

 We are practically through with the first stage of our journey. 

 Looking from the last camp towards the S.S.E., where the 

 farthest land can be seen, it seemed more than probable that 

 a very high latitude could be reached on the Barrier, and If 

 Amundsen journeying that way has a stroke of luck, he may well 

 find his summit journey reduced to 100 miles or so. In any 

 case it Is a fascinating direction for next year's work if only 

 fresh transport arrives. The dips between undulations seem 

 to be about 12 to 15 feet. To-night we get puffs of wind from 

 the gateway, which for the moment looks uninviting. 



