I9I2] FIRST SIGNS OF WEAKENING 379 



ought to be safe, but we ought to have a day or two in hand 

 on arrival and may have difficulty with following the tracks. 

 However, if we can get a rating sight for our watches to-morrow 

 we shall be independent of the tracks at a pinch. 



Monday, January 22. — 10,000. Temp. -21°. I think 

 about the most tiring march we have had; solid pulling the 

 whole way, in spite of the light sledge and some little helping 

 wind at first. Then in the last part of the afternoon the sun 

 came out, and almost immediately we had the whole surface 

 covered with soft snow. 



We got away sharp at 8 and marched a solid 9 hours, and 

 thus we have covered 14-5 miles (geo.) but, by Jove! it has been 

 a grind. We are just about on the 89th parallel. To-night 

 Bowers got a rating sight. I'm afraid we have passed out of 

 the wind area. We are within 2^ miles of the 64th camp 

 cairn, 30 miles from our depot, and with 5 days' food in hand. 

 Ski boots are beginning to show signs of wear; I trust we shall 

 have no giving out of ski or boots, since there are yet so many 

 miles to go. I thought we were climbing to-day, but the barom- 

 eter gives no change. 



Tuesday, January 23. — Lowest Minimum last night —30°, 

 Temp, at start - 28°. Lunch height 10,100. Temp, with wind 

 6 to 7, — 19°. Little wind and heavy marching at start. Then 

 wind Increased and we did 8.7 miles by lunch, when it was 

 practically blowing a blizzard. The old tracks show so remark- 

 ably well that we can follow them without much difficulty — a 

 great piece of luck. 



In the afternoon we had to reorganise. Could carry a 

 whole sail. Bowers hung on to the sledge, Evans and Oates 

 had to lengthen out. We came along at a great rate and should 

 have got within an easy march of our depot had not Wilson 

 suddenly discovered that Evans' nose was frostbitten — it was 

 white and hard. We thought it best to camp at 6.45. Got the 

 tent up with some difficulty, and now pretty cosy after good 

 hoosh. 



There is no doubt Evans is a good deal run down — his 

 fingers are badly blistered and his nose is rather seriously con- 

 gested with frequent frost bites. He is very much annoyed with 

 himself, which is not a good sign. I think Wilson, Bowers and 

 I are as fit as possible under the circumstances. Oates gets cold 



