Camp 29.
Our luck in weather is preposterous.
I roused the hands at 2:30am, intending to get away at 5. It was thick and snowy, yet we could have gone on; but at breakfast the wind increased, and by 4:30 it was blowing a full gale from the south. The pony wall blew down, huge drifts collected, and the sledges were quickly buried. It was the strongest wind I have known here in summer. We finally left camp at 2pm. A new storm was upon us by 3. The sun went out, snow fell thickly, and marching conditions became horrible. The wind came from all angles, perfectly bewildering.
In spite of all these difficulties, we have managed to get 11.5 miles south and to this camp at 7pm.
Bowers and I on ski passed the manhaulers. I think they are tired of leading. We steered with compass. The whole weather conditions seem thoroughly disturbed, and if they continue so when we are on the Glacier, we shall be very awkwardly placed. It is time luck turned in our favor—we have had all too little of it. Every mile seems to have been hardly won under such conditions.
The ponies did splendidly and the forage is lasting a little better than expected. Victor was found to have quite a lot of fat on him and the others are pretty certain to have more, so that we should have no difficulty whatever regards transport if only the weather was kind.
I wonder if Victor was so fat because Bowers had been sharing his ration with the beast?
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
2nd December, 1911
Camp 28 Latitude 83 degrees South
Started under very bad weather conditions. Marched in falling snow and horrid light. The ponies were sinking horribly. I went on ahead on ski and took photographs of them.
It was sad to have to order Victor's end poor Bowers feels it. I walked up to him and said "I have a decision that will shock you." I think he have him some of his ration, even knowing his end was up. He takes it very hard. Victor was in excellent condition and will provide five feeds for the dogs. We must kill now as forage is so short, but we have reached the 83rd parallel and are practically safe to get through. Tonight the sky is breaking and conditions are generally more promising — it is dreadfully dismal work marching through the blank wall of white, and we should have very great difficulty if we had not a party to go on ahead and show the course.
The dogs are doing splendidly and will take a heavier load from tomorrow. We kill another pony tomorrow night and then shall have three days' food for the other five. Everything looks well if the weather will only give us a chance to see our way to the Glacier.
It was so warm when we camped that the snow melted as it fell, and everything got sopping we. Oates came into my tent yesterday, exchanging with Cherry-Garrard.
One tent: Self, Wilson, Oates, and Keohane. Another tent: Bowers, PO Evans, Cherry and Crean.
Manhaulers: E.R. Evans, Atkinson, Wright and Lashly.
We have all taken to horse meat and are so well fed that hunger isn't thought of. Well, I don't know about the manhauling team. They look a bit hungry.
Started under very bad weather conditions. Marched in falling snow and horrid light. The ponies were sinking horribly. I went on ahead on ski and took photographs of them.
It was sad to have to order Victor's end poor Bowers feels it. I walked up to him and said "I have a decision that will shock you." I think he have him some of his ration, even knowing his end was up. He takes it very hard. Victor was in excellent condition and will provide five feeds for the dogs. We must kill now as forage is so short, but we have reached the 83rd parallel and are practically safe to get through. Tonight the sky is breaking and conditions are generally more promising — it is dreadfully dismal work marching through the blank wall of white, and we should have very great difficulty if we had not a party to go on ahead and show the course.
The dogs are doing splendidly and will take a heavier load from tomorrow. We kill another pony tomorrow night and then shall have three days' food for the other five. Everything looks well if the weather will only give us a chance to see our way to the Glacier.
It was so warm when we camped that the snow melted as it fell, and everything got sopping we. Oates came into my tent yesterday, exchanging with Cherry-Garrard.
One tent: Self, Wilson, Oates, and Keohane. Another tent: Bowers, PO Evans, Cherry and Crean.
Manhaulers: E.R. Evans, Atkinson, Wright and Lashly.
We have all taken to horse meat and are so well fed that hunger isn't thought of. Well, I don't know about the manhauling team. They look a bit hungry.
1st December, 1911
Camp 27
The ponies are tiring pretty rapidly. It's a question of days with all except Nobby. Yet they are outlasting the forage, and tonight against some opinion, I decided Christopher must go. He has been shot. I don't regret seeing him go, either, all the trouble he gave us. Oates had a time of it killing him too. Well, he was his pony. But the first bullet lodged in his head, he bolted, and had to be chased down. An awful business. I better not mention that in my book.
We leave a depot here so no other weight is put on the remaining ponies. Three more marches ought to bring us through. With the seven crocks and dog teams, we must get through I think. The men alone ought not to have heavy loads on the surface, which is extremely trying.
We tried Nobby in snow shoes this morning, and he came along splendidly for about 4 miles, then the wretched affairs racked and had to be taken off. There is no doubt that these shoes are the thing for ponies, and had ours been able to use them from the beginning they would have been very different. I like to think the sight of land has helped the animals, but not much. I've been observing rocks.
I wish I could give you a picture of Christopher, but I'm damned if I can fond one. So here's good old Nobby instead, with Wilson.
The ponies are tiring pretty rapidly. It's a question of days with all except Nobby. Yet they are outlasting the forage, and tonight against some opinion, I decided Christopher must go. He has been shot. I don't regret seeing him go, either, all the trouble he gave us. Oates had a time of it killing him too. Well, he was his pony. But the first bullet lodged in his head, he bolted, and had to be chased down. An awful business. I better not mention that in my book.
We leave a depot here so no other weight is put on the remaining ponies. Three more marches ought to bring us through. With the seven crocks and dog teams, we must get through I think. The men alone ought not to have heavy loads on the surface, which is extremely trying.
We tried Nobby in snow shoes this morning, and he came along splendidly for about 4 miles, then the wretched affairs racked and had to be taken off. There is no doubt that these shoes are the thing for ponies, and had ours been able to use them from the beginning they would have been very different. I like to think the sight of land has helped the animals, but not much. I've been observing rocks.
November 30, 1911
Camp 26
A very pleasant day for marching, but a bit tiring for the poor animals, which, with the exception of Nobby, are showing signs of failure all around. We were slower by half a mile than yesterday. Except that the loads are light now,and there are still eight animals left, things don't look too pleasant. The surface was much worse today, the ponies sinking to their knees very often.
The dogs are reported as doing very well. They are going to be a great standby no doubt. The land has been veiled in a thin white mist; it appeared at intervals after we camped and I took a couple of photographs. I don't suppose they will come out. I wonder what Ponting is taking pictures of. Penguins and seals, probably.
A very pleasant day for marching, but a bit tiring for the poor animals, which, with the exception of Nobby, are showing signs of failure all around. We were slower by half a mile than yesterday. Except that the loads are light now,and there are still eight animals left, things don't look too pleasant. The surface was much worse today, the ponies sinking to their knees very often.
The dogs are reported as doing very well. They are going to be a great standby no doubt. The land has been veiled in a thin white mist; it appeared at intervals after we camped and I took a couple of photographs. I don't suppose they will come out. I wonder what Ponting is taking pictures of. Penguins and seals, probably.
29 November, 1911
Camp 25 Latitude 82 degrees, 21 minutes
Things much better. The land showed up late yesterday. Our pony goal is 70 miles away. They are tired, but I believe that have five days' work left in them, and some a great deal more. Chinaman made four feeds for the dogs, and I suppose we can count every other pony as a similar asset. It follows that the dogs can be employed, rested and red well on the homeward track. We could really get through now with their help and without much delay, yet every consideration makes it desirable to save the men from heavy hauling as long as possible. So I devoutly hope the 70 miles will come in the present order of things. Snippets and Nobby now walk by themselves, following in the tracks well. Both have a continually cunning eye on their driver, ready to stop the moment he pauses. They eat snow every few minutes. It's a relief not having to lead an animal; such trifles annoy one on these marches, the animal's vagaries, his everlasting attempts to eat his head rope, etc. Yet all these animals are very full of character.
Some day I must write of them and their individualities.
In Bowers' tent they had some of Chinaman's undercut in their hoosh yesterday, and say it was excellent. I am cook for the present. Have been discussing pony snow-shoes. I wish to goodness the animals would wear them — it would save them any amount of labor in such surfaces as this.
Things much better. The land showed up late yesterday. Our pony goal is 70 miles away. They are tired, but I believe that have five days' work left in them, and some a great deal more. Chinaman made four feeds for the dogs, and I suppose we can count every other pony as a similar asset. It follows that the dogs can be employed, rested and red well on the homeward track. We could really get through now with their help and without much delay, yet every consideration makes it desirable to save the men from heavy hauling as long as possible. So I devoutly hope the 70 miles will come in the present order of things. Snippets and Nobby now walk by themselves, following in the tracks well. Both have a continually cunning eye on their driver, ready to stop the moment he pauses. They eat snow every few minutes. It's a relief not having to lead an animal; such trifles annoy one on these marches, the animal's vagaries, his everlasting attempts to eat his head rope, etc. Yet all these animals are very full of character.
Some day I must write of them and their individualities.
In Bowers' tent they had some of Chinaman's undercut in their hoosh yesterday, and say it was excellent. I am cook for the present. Have been discussing pony snow-shoes. I wish to goodness the animals would wear them — it would save them any amount of labor in such surfaces as this.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
28 November, 1911
Camp 24
The most dismal start imaginable. Thick as a hedge, snow falling and drifting with keen southerly wind. It is lunch and the snow is getting thick again.
When will this wretched blizzard be over?
Later.
Second march almost as horrid as the first. Wind blowing strong from the south, shifting to SE as the snowstorms fell on us, when we could see little or nothing, and the driving snow hit us stingingly in the face.
Chinaman has been shot tonight. Plucky little chap, he stuck it out well and leaves the stage but a few days before his fellows. We have only four bags of forage left (each at 30 lbs), but these should give seven marches with all the remaining animals, and we are less than 90 miles from the Glacier. Bowers tells me the barometer was phenomenally low both during this blizzard and the last. This has certainly been the most unexpected and trying summer blizzard yet experienced in this region. I only trust it is over. There is not much to choose between the remaining ponies. Nobby and Bones are the strongest, Victor and Christopher the weakest, but all should get through.
The land doesn't show up yet.
The most dismal start imaginable. Thick as a hedge, snow falling and drifting with keen southerly wind. It is lunch and the snow is getting thick again.
When will this wretched blizzard be over?
Later.
Second march almost as horrid as the first. Wind blowing strong from the south, shifting to SE as the snowstorms fell on us, when we could see little or nothing, and the driving snow hit us stingingly in the face.
Chinaman has been shot tonight. Plucky little chap, he stuck it out well and leaves the stage but a few days before his fellows. We have only four bags of forage left (each at 30 lbs), but these should give seven marches with all the remaining animals, and we are less than 90 miles from the Glacier. Bowers tells me the barometer was phenomenally low both during this blizzard and the last. This has certainly been the most unexpected and trying summer blizzard yet experienced in this region. I only trust it is over. There is not much to choose between the remaining ponies. Nobby and Bones are the strongest, Victor and Christopher the weakest, but all should get through.
The land doesn't show up yet.
27 November, 1911
Camp 23.
Quite the most trying march we have had. The advance party got away in front, but made heavy weather of it, and we caught them up several times. This threw the ponies out of their regular work and prolonged the march. The second march was even worse. The advance party started on ski but the leafing marks failed altogether, so they had the greatest difficulty keeping the course. We have had awful weather.
It is snowing hard again now, and heaven only knows when it will stop.
If it were not for the bad surface and the bad light, things would not be so bad. It is several days since we had a glimpse of land, which makes conditions especially gloomy. A tired animal makes a tired man, I find, and none of us are very bright now after the day's march, though we have had ample sleep of late.
I could murder a curry and a pint.
Quite the most trying march we have had. The advance party got away in front, but made heavy weather of it, and we caught them up several times. This threw the ponies out of their regular work and prolonged the march. The second march was even worse. The advance party started on ski but the leafing marks failed altogether, so they had the greatest difficulty keeping the course. We have had awful weather.
It is snowing hard again now, and heaven only knows when it will stop.
If it were not for the bad surface and the bad light, things would not be so bad. It is several days since we had a glimpse of land, which makes conditions especially gloomy. A tired animal makes a tired man, I find, and none of us are very bright now after the day's march, though we have had ample sleep of late.
I could murder a curry and a pint.
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