25 



the steep sloj^e of the inhiiid ice's terminal moraine. Parts of this 

 slope were covered with snow and ice surfaces inclined at an angle 

 like that of the roof of a house. These patches of neve were prob- 

 ably caused by the downslope wind in winter blowing snow off the 

 ice cap and over the top of the terminal moraine. 



As soon as the moraine had been surmounted, the expanse of the 

 inland ice could be seen rising in a gentle slope toward the interior. 

 It looked much like a frozen sea, and a strong raw wind, like a cold 

 sea breeze, was blowing dow^n slope toward the ice margin upon 

 which we stood. There were some stones and sand on the ice near 

 the margin and the surface was cut up slightly by small running 

 streams, most of which disappeared between the ice and the terminal 



A GLACIERS DISCHARGE 



Figure 20. — Close view of the projecting southern edge of the Ekip Sermia glacier at Port 

 Quervain on August 10, 1928. This gives some idea of the amount of dirt carried from 

 the land and of the glacial flotsam in the vicinity of active discharge. 



moraine. In some places these streams had cut through the latter, 

 however, and could be seen rushing down it in little casades. 



A half mile in from the ice margin the sand and gravel on the 

 ice had decreased to a negligible amount. All that could be seen 

 toward the interior Avas the slightly undulating surface of the ice 

 cap, still cut up in places by the small brooks of ice water that were 

 flowing in shallow beds of clean glacial ice. 



After a few minutes spent in gazing, the Marion's party turned 

 their backs to the searching clown-slope Avincl, walked to the ice edge, 

 and climbed down the terminal moraine. Some distance farther sea- 

 ward in a bleak but fairly sheltered spot a stop was made to eat lunch. 

 From this stopping point a slow march was started for the shore at 

 Port Quervain. In the loAver levels several stops were made in blue- 

 berry patches, where many handfuls of delicious berries were gathered 

 and eaten by the tired sailors as they lay sprawled about to rest. 

 68165—32 3 



