332 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [August 
the Barrier it proved of assistance up to One Ton Depot 
and then had to be abandoned. 
The new sledges, called Finnesskis, were the cause 
of much discussion. Six had been ordered from Hagen 
of Christiania, and these arrived with tapered runners, 
the breadth of the runner in front being 4 inches, 
diminishing to 2^ on the after part of the sledge. 
We tried these sledges with the old 1 2-foot, man- 
hauling over various surfaces and with equal loads. 
In every case the new sledges ran more easily, but 
it was impossible to judge if there was sufficient 
bearing surface for them with heavy loads on the soft 
Barrier surface. They eventually proved to be of the 
greatest service, and animals or men could move loads 
on these sledges which it was impossible for them to move 
with the ordinary 12-foot and broad runner. The idea 
of the sledge was that the broad front portion should 
run over and smooth and prepare the track for the after 
tapered portion. 
There was very little alteration needed in any of the 
other gear. Each individual had his personal likes and 
dislikes and adapted his gear accordingly. In the rations 
there was only a very slight alteration, our old summit 
ration being adhered to with the addition of extra sugar, 
a stick of chocolate, and one onion per man per day. 
On August 22 we celebrated the return of the sun 
with a special dinner, and ended up proceedings with a 
sing-song. It was not until the 23rd, however, that the 
sun was seen, and then only by Nelson, who saw its upper 
rim from the top of the ramp. Almost every day now 
