i9n] AN ICE FOOT EXPOSED 211 
12 or 14 feet below; the sea bottom quite clear with the 
white wall resting on it. This must be typical of the ice 
foot all along the coast, and the wasting of caves at sea 
level alone gives the idea of an overhanging mass. Very 
curious and interesting erosion of surface of the ice foot 
by waves during recent gale. 
The depot party returned yesterday morning. They had 
thick weather on the outward march and missed the track, 
finally doing 30 miles between Safety Camp and Corner 
Camp. They had a hard blow up to force 8 on the night 
of our gale. Started N.W. and strongest S.S.E. 
The sea wants to freeze — a thin coating of ice formed 
directly the wind dropped ; but the high temperature does 
not tend to thicken it rapidly and the tide makes many 
an open lead. We have been counting our resources and 
arranging for another twenty days' stay. 
Saturday, March 25, a.m. — We have had two days 
of surprisingly warm weather, the sky overcast, snow 
falling, wind only in light airs. Last night the sky was 
clearing, with a southerly wind, and this morning the sea 
was open all about us. It is disappointing to find the 
ice so reluctant to hold ; at the same time one supposes 
that the cooling of the water is proceeding and therefore 
that each day makes it easier for the ice to form — the sun 
seems to have lost all power, but I imagine its rays still 
tend to warm the surface water about the noon hours. 
It is only a week now to the date which I thought would 
see us all at Cape Evans. 
The warmth of the air has produced a comparatively 
uncomfortable state of affairs in the hut. The ice on the 
