i9i i] A FEARFUL STRUGGLE 345 



progress of the other parties. Evans passed us, and for some 

 time went forward fairly well up a decided slope. The sun was 

 shining on the surface by this time, and the temperature high. 

 Bowers started after Evans, and it was easy to see the really 

 terrible state of affairs with them. They made desperate efforts 

 to get along, but ever got more and more bogged evidently the 

 glide had vanished. When we got away we soon discovered 

 how awful the surface had become ; added to the forenoon diffi- 

 culties the snow had become wet and sticky. We got our load 

 along, soon passing Bowers, but the toil was simply awful. We 

 were soaked with perspiration and thoroughly breathless with 

 our efforts. Again and again the sledge got one runner on 

 harder snow than the other, canted on its side, and refused to 

 move. At the top of the rise I found Evans reduced to relay 

 work, and Bowers followed his example soon after. We got 

 our whole load through till 7 P.M., camping time, but only with 

 repeated halts and labour which was altogether too strenuous. 

 The other parties certainly cannot get a full load along on the 

 surface, and I much doubt if we could continue to do so, but we 

 must try again to-morrow. 



I suppose we have advanced a bare 4 miles to-day and the 

 aspect of things is very little changed. Our height is now about 

 1,500 feet; I had pinned my faith on getting better conditions as 

 we rose, but it looks as though matters were getting worse in- 

 stead of better. As far as the Cloudmaker the valley looks like 

 a huge basin for the lodgement of such snow as this. We can 

 but toil on, but it is woefully disheartening. I am not at all 

 hungry, but pretty thirsty. (T. -f- 15 .) I find our summit 

 ration is even too filling for the present. Two skuas came 

 round the camp at lunch, no doubt attracted by our ' Shambles ' 

 camp. 



Thursday, December 14. Camp 36. Indigestion and the 

 soggy condition of my clothes kept me awake for some time 

 last night, and the exceptional exercise gives bad attacks of 

 cramp. Our lips are getting raw and blistered. The eyes of 

 the party are improving, I am glad to say. We are just starting 

 our march with no very hopeful outlook. (T. + 13 .) 



Evening. (Height about 2000 feet.) Evans' party started 

 first this morning; for an hour they found the hauling stiff, but 

 after that, to my great surprise, they went on easily. Bowers 



