i 9 xa] FIRST SIGNS OF WEAKENING 55 » 
depot had not Wilson suddenly discovered that Evans' 
nose was frostbitten — it was white and hard. We thought 
it best to camp at 6.45. Got the tent up with some 
difficulty, and now pretty cosy after good hoosh. 
There is no doubt Evans is a good deal run down — 
his fingers arc badly blistered and his nose is rather 
seriously congested with frequent frost bites. He is 
very much annoyed with himself, which is not a good 
sign. I think Wilson, Bowers and I are as fit as possible 
under the circumstances. Oatcs gets cold feet. One way 
and another, I shall be glad to get off the summit ! We 
are only about 13 miles from our * Degree and half Depot 
and should get there to-morrow. The weather seems to be 
breaking up. Pray God we have something of a track to 
follow to the Three Degree Depot — once we pick that 
up we ought to be right. 
Wednesday, January 24. — Lunch Temp. -8°. Things 
beginning to look a little serious. A strong wind at 
the start has developed into a full blizzard at lunch, and 
we have had to get into our sleeping-bags. It was a bad 
march, but we covered 7 miles. At first Evans, and then 
Wilson went ahead to scout for tracks. Bowers guided 
the sledge alone for the first hour, then both Oatcs and 
he remained alongside it ; they had a fearful time trying 
to make the pace between the soft patches. At 12.30 
the sun coming ahead made it impossible to see the tracks 
further, and we had to stop. By this time the gale was 
at its height and we had the dickens of a time getting up 
the tent, cold fingers all round. We arc only 7 miles 
from our depot, but I made sure we should be there 
