i9i2] ACCIDENT TO EVANS 533 
This is the shortest march we have made on the summit, 
but there is excuse. Still, there is no doubt if things 
remained as they are we could not keep up the strain of 
such marching for long. Things, however, luckily will 
not remain as they arc. To-morrow wc depot a week's 
provision, lightening altogether about 100 lbs. This 
afternoon the welcome southerly wind returned and is 
now blowing force 2 to 3. I cannot but think it will 
improve the surface. 
The sastrugi are very much diminished, and those 
from the south seem to be overpowering those from the 
S.E. Cloud travelled rapidly over from the south this 
afternoon, and the surface was covered with sandy crystals ; 
these were not so bad as the 6 bearded ' sastrugi, and 
oddly enough the wind and drift only gradually obliterate 
these striking formations. We have scarcely risen at all 
to-day, and the plain looks very flat. It doesn't look as 
though there were more rises ahead, and one could not 
wish for a better surface if only the crystal deposit would 
disappear or harden up. I am awfully glad we have hung 
on to the ski ; hard as the marching is, it is far less tiring 
on ski. Bowers has a heavy time on foot, but nothing 
seems to tire him. Evans has a nasty cut on his hand 
(sledge-making). I hope it won't give trouble. Our food 
continues to amply satisfy. What luck to have hit on 
such an excellent ration. Wc really are an excellently 
found party. 
Monday, January 8.— Camp 60. Noon. T. -19-8°. 
Min. for night -25 0 . Our first summit blizzard. We 
might just have started after breakfast, but the wind 
