to be real good.  They work with such extraordinary steadiness, stepping out briskly and cheerfully, following in each other’s tracks.  The great drawback is the ease with which they sink in soft snow:  they go through in lots of places where the men scarcely make an impression—­they struggle pluckily when they sink, but it is trying to watch them.  We came with the loads noted below and one bale of fodder (105 lbs.) added to each sledge.  We are camped 6 miles from the glacier and 2 from Hut Point—­a cold east wind; to-night the temperature 19 deg..

Autumn Party to start January 25, 1911

12 men, [9] 8 ponies, 26 dogs.

First load estimated 5385 lbs., including 14 weeks’ food and fuel for men—­taken to Cache No. 1.

Ship transports following to Glacier Tongue: 

lbs.
130 Bales compressed fodder 13,650
24 Cases dog biscuit 1,400
10 Sacks of oats 1,600 ?
------
16,650

Teams return to ship to transport this load to Cache No. 1.  Dog teams also take on 500 lbs. of biscuit from Hut Point.

Pony Sledges

lbs. 
On all sledges

Sledge with straps and tank 52
Pony furniture 25
Driver’s ski and sleeping-bag, &c. 40

Nos. 1 & 5
Cooker and primus instruments 40
Tank containing biscuit 172
Sack of oats 160
Tent and poles 28
Alpine rope 5
1 oil can and spirit can 15
—–­
537

Nos. 2 & 6
Oil 100
Tank contents:  food bags 285
Ready provision bag 63
2 picks 20
—–­
468

Nos. 3 & 7
Oil 100
Tank contents:  biscuit 196
Sack of oats 160
2 shovels 9
—–­
465

Nos. 4 & 8
Box with tools, &c. 35
Cookers, &c. 105
Tank contents food bags 252
Sack of oats 160
3 long bamboos and spare gear 15
—–­
567

Spare Gear per Man

2 pairs under socks
2 pairs outer socks
1 pair hair socks
1 pair night socks
1 pyjama jacket
1 pyjama trousers
1 woollen mits
2 finnesko
Skein = 10 lbs. 
Books, diaries, tobacco, &c. 2 ,,

          
                                                            —­

                                   12 lbs.

Dress

Vest and drawers
Woollen shirt
Jersey
Balaclava
Wind Suit
Two pairs socks
Ski boots.