PLANS FOR THE FUTURE 



of photographs; while Mackay determined our altitudes 

 on the plateau by means of the hypsometer. Mawson 

 also made magnetic determinations, and I was able to 

 gather some meteorological information. A summary 

 of this work is given in the Scientific Appendix, and 

 details will be supphed later in the Scientific Memoirs of 

 the expedition. 



Unfortunately the time available during our journey 

 was too short for detailed magnetic, geological or mete- 

 orological observations. Nevertheless, we trust that the 

 information obtained has justified the journey. At all 

 events we have pioneered a route to the Magnetic Pole, 

 and we hope that the path thus found will prove of use 

 to future observers. 



It is easy, of course, to be wise after the event, but 

 there is no doubt that had we known that there was 

 going to be an abundance of seals all along the coast, 

 and had we had an efficient team of dogs we could have 

 accomplished our journey in probably half the time 

 that it actually occupied. Future expeditions to the 

 South Magnetic Pole would probably do well to land 

 a strong and well-equipped party, either at Relief Inlet, 

 or better, as near to " Backstairs Passage " as the ship 

 can be taken, and as early in December as the state of 

 the sea ice makes navigation possible. A party of 

 three, with a supporting-party also of three, with good 

 dog teams and plenty of fresh seal meat, could travel 

 together for about seventy miles inland; then the sup- 

 porting-party might diverge and ascend Mount Nansen 

 from its inland extremity. The other party, mean- 

 while, might proceed to the Magnetic Pole at not less 

 than fifteen miles a day. This should admit of their 

 spending from a week to a fortnight at the Pole, and 

 they should then be able to return to the coast early in 



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