i 9 i i] FROM HUT POINT TO CAPE EVANS 155 



was one up in our Bay. It will certainly be some time before 

 the ponies can be got back. 



Monday, April 10, P.M. Intended to make for Cape Evans 

 this morning. Called hands early, but when we were ready for 

 departure after breakfast, the sky became more overcast and 

 snow began to fall. It continued off and on all' day, only clearing 

 as the sun set. It would have been the worst condition possible 

 for our attempt, as we could not have been more than 100 yards. 



Conditions look very unfavourable for the continued freezing 

 of the Strait. 



Thursday, April 13. Started from Hut Point 9 A.M. Tues- 

 day. Party consisted of self, Bowers, P.O. Evans, Taylor, one 

 tent; Evans, Gran, Crean, Debenham, and Wright, second tent. 

 Left Wilson in charge at Hut Point with Meares, Forde, Keo- 

 hane, Oates, Atkinson, and Cherry-Garrard. All gave us a pull 

 up the ski slope; it had become a point of honour to take this 

 slope without a ' breather.' I find such an effort trying in the 

 early morning, but had to go through with it. 



Weather fine; we marched past Castle Rock, east of it; 

 the snow was soft on the slopes, showing the shelter afforded 

 continued to traverse the ridge for the first time found quite 

 good surface much wind swept passed both cones on the ridge 

 on the west side. Caught a glimpse of fast ice in the Bays 

 either side of Glacier as expected, but in the near Bay its ex- 

 tent was very small. Evidently we should have to go well 

 along the ridge before descending, and then the problem would 

 be how to get down over the cliffs. On to Hulton Rocks 7^ 

 miles from the start here it was very icy and wind swept, in- 

 hospitable the wind got up and light became bad just at the 

 critical moment, so we camped and had some tea at 2 P.M. A 

 clearance half an hour later allowed us to see a possible descent 

 to the ice cliffs, but between Hulton Rocks and Erebus all the 

 slope was much cracked and crevassed. We chose a clear track 

 to the edge of the cliffs, but could find no low place in these, 

 the lowest part being 24 feet sheer drop. Arriving here the 

 wind increased, the snow drifting off the ridge we had to decide 

 quickly; I got myself to the edge and made standing places to 

 work the rope; dug away at the cornice, well situated for such 

 work in harness. Got three people lowered by the Alpine rope 

 Evans, Bowers, and Taylor then sent down the sledges, 



