176 THE VOYAGE OF THE 'DISCOVERY' [Mar. 



conditions. After three days Royds saw that it was useless to 

 continue as they were going, and that the only chance of 

 making progress was to use snow-shoes, but unfortunately 

 there were only three pairs of ski with the party. He decided, 

 therefore, to push on for his mission at Cape Crozier with two 

 officers only, and to send the remainder back in charge of 

 Barne. The separation took place on the 9th, and the re- 

 turning party, finding a somewhat easier road, were able to 

 retrace their steps at a more rapid pace. They came abreast 

 of Castle Rock on the morning of the nth ; and, although 

 this was not the way by which they had descended from the 

 hills, Barne thought that the incline at this place looked more 

 gradual and would prove an easier road to the summit than 

 that by which they had come, and so decided to take it. In 

 expectation of a stiff and slippery climb, he directed his men 

 to put on the loose leather ski boots which they carried instead 

 of the softer fur boots. The ski boots were frozen hard, and 

 although most of the party got them on after much difficulty, 

 Vince and Hare had to give up the attempt and were allowed 

 to continue in their fur boots. Barne's report proceeds : 

 ' Neither Primus lamp could be used on account of the 

 prickers being broken. At 9.45, the weather being clear, we 

 started, particular care having been taken to pack the sledges 

 securely to prevent damage in case of capsize during the ascent. 

 The hill can be easily ascended by taking a zig-zag course, the 

 surface of the snow being in broad natural steps. Finding, 

 however, that we could haul the sledges straight up, I did so, 

 making for Castle Rock. We stopped twice for rests, and 

 reached the top of the ridge about half a mile south-west of 

 Castle Rock at 1 p.m. We had scarcely gained the ridge when 

 it began to blow from the south-east, and the air was filled 

 with snow. I had just time to take a bearing of Crater Hill 

 before it was obscured, and I intended to make for it along 

 the ridge, but as several of the crew were getting frost-bitten 

 and the sledges were being blown over, I thought it best to 

 camp, and made for the shelter of some rocks which I had 

 seen before the wind sprang up. On finding them we got as 



