i9ii] ON GETTING HOT 245 
ten minutes ahead of the others, who by this time were 
quite convinced as to the difference in the sledges. 
The difference was only marked when pulling over the 
salt-covered sea ice ; on snow the sledges seemed pretty 
much the same. It is due to the grain of the wood in 
the runners and is worth looking into. 
We all arrived bathed in sweat — our garments were 
soaked through, and as we took off our wind clothes showers 
of ice fell on the floor. The accumulation was almost 
incredible and shows the whole trouble of sledging in cold 
weather. It would have been very uncomfortable to have 
camped in the open under such conditions, and assuredly 
a winter and spring party cannot afford to get so hot if 
they wish to retain any semblance of comfort. 
Our excellent cook had just the right meal prepared 
for us — an enormous dish of rice and figs, and cocoa in 
a bucket ! The hut party were all very delighted to see 
us, and the fittings and comforts of the hut are amazing 
to the newcomers. 
Saturday, April 22. — Cape Evans, Winter Quarters. 
The sledging season is at an end. It's good to be back 
in spite of all the losses we have sustained. 
To-day we enjoy a very exceptional calm. The sea 
is freezing over of course, but unfortunately our view 
from Observation Hill is very limited. Oatcs and the 
rest are exercising the ponies. I have been sorting my 
papers and getting ready for the winter work. 
