2/6 FARTHEST NORTH 



with all idea of using snow-shoes not securely fastened on 

 had to be abandoned. One's feet twisted and slipped and 

 slid off the snow-shoes and deep down into the bottomless 

 snow, which, in addition, turned to ice under our feet, and 

 with our smooth komager soles was as slippery as eelskin 

 to stand on. Then we fastened them on, and where the 

 ice was even it really was possible to drag the sledge, even 

 with only one dog beside one. I saw that, given passable 

 snow and passable country to work on, we could make 

 some progress during the day, though as soon as there 

 was the slightest irregularity in the ice the sledges stood 

 perfectly still. It was necessary to strain at the harness 

 all one knew, and then perhaps fail to make the sledge 

 budge an inch. Then back one had to go to it, and after 

 exerting one's strength to the utmost it would finally 

 glide over the obstacle and on towards a new one, where 

 exactly the same process had to be gone through. If it 

 was wished to turn the sledge in the deep snow where it 

 stood embedded, matters were no better ; it was only by 

 lifting it bodily that one could get it on at all. So we 

 went on step by step until perhaps we came on a small 

 extent of level ice where we could increase the pace. If, 

 however, we came on lanes and ridges, things were worse 

 than ever; one man cannot manage a sledge alone, but 

 two must be put to each sledge. Then when we have 

 followed up the track I have marked out beforehand I 

 have to start off again and find a way between the 

 hummocks. To go direct, hauling the sledge, is not 



