I9I2J 
CROSSING A SHEAR CRACK 
269 
wide and were literally torn in the six-foot bay ice by the 
irresistible pressure of the Mackay Tongue. The edges 
were ragged — and composed of interlocking promontories. 
By means of these and an island jammed between we got 
our load across safely. The east was very gloomy and it 
started to snow. In previous years this bay had been 
clear of ice in January — so that I did not want to be caught 
in a blizzard on it in the middle of that month. The sur- 
face improved slightly, but we next struck a 30-foot 
shear crack filled with mushy snow. A little searching 
showed us a possible track. Debenham and I tied together 
and crossed first and then the others, and then we judged 
the sledge might do it. I expect it would have sunk like 
a stone if the ice had given way, but we had to get over 
here or nowhere. 
The snow came down thickly now and we plugged 
ahead, steering by compass for the small piedmont tongue 
where we had been held up two days on our arrival. 
Suddenly we seemed to run into a snow slope — and by a 
mighty expenditure of energy we got the sledge up on to 
the tongue and were safely on fixed ice for the time. 
We soon got the tent pitched, for there was not much 
wind, and had some tea. I will quote my diary. 
' We were all in a cold sweat — for the work is very 
hard, and yet you don't keep warm. However, we got 
into our bags and were soon warm, if damp. This blizzard 
was but temporary, and about 4 p.m. it blew over to the 
west. I crossed the tongue to see the descent on the other 
side. It was about five feet down a steep snow slope. 
Beyond was a narrow shear crack with two seals, but the 
