558 
SCOTT'S LAST EXPEDITION [February 
surface here on our outward march. There is no doubt we 
arc travelling over undulations, but the inequality of level 
does not make a great difference to our pace ; it is the 
sandy crystals that hold us up. There has been very great 
alteration of the surface since we were last here — the 
sledge tracks stand high. This afternoon we picked up 
Bowers' ski * — the last thing we have to find on the summit, 
thank Heaven ! Now we have only to go north and so 
shall welcome strong winds. 
Thursday, February i. — R. 15. 9778. Lunch Temp. 
-20 0 , Supper Temp. -I9'8°. Heavy collar work most 
of the day. Wind light. Did 8 miles, 4I hours. Started 
well in the afternoon and came down a steep slope in 
quick time ; then the surface turned real bad — sandy 
drifts — very heavy pulling. Working on past 8 p.m. we 
just fetched a lunch cairn of December 29, when we were 
only a week out from the depot. t It ought to be easy to 
get in with a margin, having 8 days' food in hand (full 
feeding). We have opened out on the $th increase and 
it makes a lot of difference. Wilson's leg much better. 
Evans' fingers now very bad, two nails coming off, blisters 
burst. 
Friday, February 2. — 9340. R. 16. Temp.: Lunch -19 0 , 
Supper -17°. Wc started well on a strong southerly 
wind. Soon got to a steep grade, when the sledge overran 
and upset us one after another. We got off our ski, and 
pulling on foot reeled off 9 miles by lunch at 1.30. Started 
in the afternoon on foot, going very strong. We noticed 
* Left on December 31. 
f The Upper Glacier Depot, under Mount Darwin, where the first 
supporting party turned back. 
