536 SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [January 
Of these three it is a matter for thought and congratu- 
lation that each is sufficiently suited for his own work, 
but would not be capable of doing that of the others as 
well as it is done. Each is invaluable. Oates had his 
invaluable period with the ponies ; now he is a foot sloggcr 
and goes hard the whole time, docs his share of camp work, 
and stands the hardship as well as any of us. I would 
not like to be without him either. So our five people 
are perhaps as happily selected as it is possible to 
imagine. 
Tuesday, "January 9.— Camp 61. Record. Lat. 88° 25". 
Height 10,270 ft. Bar. risen I think. T. -4 0 . Still 
blowing, and drifting when we got to breakfast, but signs 
of taking off. The wind had gradually shifted from 
south to E.S.E. After lunch we were able to break 
camp in a bad light, but on a good surface. We made a 
very steady afternoon march, covering 6\ miles (geo.). 
This should place us in Lat. 88° 25', beyond the record of 
Shackleton's walk. All is new ahead. The barometer 
has risen since the blizzard, and it looks as though we were 
on a level plateau, not to rise much further. 
Obs. : Long. 159 0 if 45" E. ; Var. 179 0 55' W. ; Min. 
Temp. -7*2°. 
More curiously the temperature continued to rise after 
the blow and now, at-4 0 , it seems quite warm. The 
sun has only shown very indistinctly all the afternoon, 
although brighter now. Clouds are still drifting over from 
the east. The marching is growing terribly monotonous, 
but one cannot grumble as long as the distance can be 
kept up. It can, I think, if we leave a depot, but a 
