I9II] 
WINDS OF HURRICANE FORCE 
357 
To-day we have another raging blizzard — the wind 
running up to 72 m.p.h. in gusts — one way and another the 
Crozier Party must have had a pretty poor time.* I am 
thankful to remember that the light will be coming on 
apace now. 
Monday, July 24. — The blizzard continued throughout 
yesterday (Sunday), in the evening reaching a record force 
of 82 m.p.h. The vane of our anemometer is somewhat 
sheltered : Simpson finds the hill readings 20 per cent, 
higher. Hence in such gusts as this the free wind must 
reach nearly 100 m.p.h. — a hurricane force. To-day 
Nelson found that his sounding sledge had been turned 
over. We passed a quiet Sunday with the usual Service to 
break the week-day routine. During my night watch last 
night I could observe the rapid falling of the wind, which 
on dying away left a still atmosphere almost oppressively 
warm at +7°. The temperature has remained compara- 
tively high to-day. I went to see the crack at which 
soundings were taken a week ago ; then it was several 
feet open with thin ice between — now it is pressed up 
into a sharp ridge 3 to 4 feet high : the edge pressed up 
shows an 18 inch thickness — this is of course an effect of 
the warm weather. 
Tuesday, July 25, Wednesday, July 26. — There is really 
very little to be recorded in these days, life proceeds very 
calmly if somewhat monotonously. Everyone seems fit, 
there is no sign of depression. To all outward appear- 
ance the ponies are in better form than they have ever 
* This was the gale that tore away the roofing of their hut, and 
left them with only their sleeping-bags for shelter. See p. 365. 
