i9"] DEPOT PLANS 103 



Evans and I took a load out on foot over the pressure 

 ridge. The camp load alone remains to be taken to the Barrier. 

 Once we get to Safety Camp we can stay as long as we like 

 before starting our journey. It is only when we start that we 

 must travel fast. 



Most of the day it has been overcast, but to-night it has 

 cleared again. There is very little wind. The temperatures 

 of late have been ranging from 9 at night to 24 in the day. 

 Very easy circumstances for sledging. 



Monday, January 30. Camp 3. Safety Camp. Bearings: 

 Lat. 77.55; Cape Armitage N. 64 W. ; Camel's Hump of Blue 

 Glacier left, extreme; Castle Rock N. 40 W. Called the camp 

 at 7.30. Finally left with ponies at 11.30. There was a good 

 deal to do, which partly accounts for delays, but we shall have 

 to ' buck up ' with our camp arrangement. Atkinson had his 

 foot lanced and should be well in a couple of days. 



I led the lame pony; his leg is not swelled, but I fear he's 

 developed a permanent defect there are signs of ring bone and 

 the hoof is split. 



A great shock came when we passed the depoted fodder 

 and made for this camp. The ponies sank very deep and only 

 brought on their loads with difficulty, getting pretty hot. The 

 distance was but 1^2 miles, but it took more out of them than 

 the rest of the march. We camped and held a council of war 

 after lunch. I unfolded my plan, which is to go forward with 

 five weeks' food for men and animals: to depot a fortnight's 

 supply after twelve or thirteen days and return here. The loads 

 for ponies thus arranged work out a little over 600 lbs., for the 

 dog teams 700 lbs., both apart from sledges. The ponies ought 

 to do it easily if the surface is good enough for them to walk, 

 which is doubtful the dogs may have to be lightened such 

 as it is, it is the best we can do under the circumstances! 



This afternoon I went forward on ski to see if the conditions 

 changed. In 2 or 3 miles I could see no improvement. 



Bowers, Garrard, and the three men went and dug out the 

 Nimrod tent. They found a cooker and provisions and remains 

 of a hastily abandoned meal. One tent was half full of hard 

 ice, the result of thaw. The Willesden canvas was rotten ex- 

 cept some material used for the doors. The floor cloth could 

 not be freed. 



