i9ii] UP AN ICE FACE 241 
preparing, Bowers and I went south, then north, along 
the cliffs to find a place to ascend — nearly everywhere 
ascent seemed impossible in the vicinity of Hutton Rocks 
or north, but eventually we found an overhanging cornice 
close to our rope. 
After lunch we unloaded a sledge, which, held high 
on end by four men, just reached the edge of the cornice. 
Clambering up over backs and up sledge I used an 
ice-axe to cut steps over the cornice and thus managed 
to get on top, then cut steps and surmounted the edge 
of the cornice. Helped Bowers up with the rope ; others 
followed — then the gear was hauled up piecemeal. For 
Crcan, the last man up, we lowered the sledge over the 
cornice and used a bowline in the other end of the rope 
on top of it. He came up grinning with delight, and 
we all thought the ascent rather a cunning piece of work. 
It was fearfully cold work, but everyone working with 
rare intelligence, we eventually got everything up and 
repacked the sledge ; glad to get in harness again. Then 
a heavy pull up a steep slope in wretched light, making 
detour to left to avoid crevasses. We reached the top 
and plodded on past the craters as nearly as possible as 
on the outward route. The party was pretty exhausted 
and very wet with perspiration. Approaching Castle 
Rock the weather and light improved. Camped on 
Barrier Slope north of Castle Rock about 9 p.m. Night 
cold but calm, -38 0 during night ; slept pretty well. 
Tuesday, April 18.— Hut Point. Good moonlight at 
7 a.m. — had breakfast. Broke camp very quickly — 
Lashly splendid at camp work as of old — very heavy 
VOL. 1. R 
