One thing is certain.  A good snow-shoe would be worth its weight in gold on this surface, and if we can get something really practical we ought to greatly increase our distances next year.

Mems.—­Storage of biscuit next year, lashing cases on sledges.

Look into sledgemeter.

Picket lines for ponies.

Food tanks to be size required.

Two sledges altered to take steel runners.

Stowage of pony food.  Enough sacks for ready bags.

Thursday, February 16.—­6 miles 1450 yards. 15 Camp.  The surface a good deal better, but the ponies running out.  Three of the five could go on without difficulty.  Bowers’ pony might go on a bit, but Weary Willy is a good deal done up, and to push him further would be to risk him unduly, so to-morrow we turn.  The temperature on the march to-night fell to -21 deg. with a brisk S.W. breeze.  Bowers started out as usual in his small felt hat, ears uncovered.  Luckily I called a halt after a mile and looked at him.  His ears were quite white.  Cherry and I nursed them back whilst the patient seemed to feel nothing but intense surprise and disgust at the mere fact of possessing such unruly organs.  Oates’ nose gave great trouble.  I got frostbitten on the cheek lightly, as also did Cherry-Garrard.

Tried to march in light woollen mits to great discomfort.

Friday, February 17.—­Camp 15.  Lat. 79 deg. 28 1/2’ S. It clouded over yesterday—­the temperature rose and some snow fell.  Wind from the south, cold and biting, as we turned out.  We started to build the depot.  I had intended to go on half a march and return to same camp, leaving Weary Willy to rest, but under the circumstances did not like to take risk.

Stores left in depot: 

Lat. 79 deg. 29’.  Depot.

lbs.

245 7 weeks’ full provision bags for 1 unit
12 2 days’ provision bags for 1 unit
8 8 weeks’ tea
31 6 weeks’ extra butter
176 176 lbs. biscuit (7 weeks full biscuit)
85 8 1/2 gallons oil (12 weeks oil for 1 unit)
850 5 sacks of oats
424 4 bales of fodder
250 Tank of dog biscuit
100 2 cases of biscuit
——­
2181

1 skein white line 1 set breast harness 2 12 ft. sledges 2 pair ski, 1 pair ski sticks 1 Minimum Thermometer 1 tin Rowntree cocoa 1 tin matches

With packing we have landed considerably over a ton of stuff.  It is a pity we couldn’t get to 80 deg., but as it is we shall have a good leg up for next year and can at least feed the ponies full up to this point.

Our Camp 15 is very well marked, I think.  Besides the flagstaff and black flag we have piled biscuit boxes, filled and empty, to act as reflectors—­secured tea tins to the sledges, which are planted upright in the snow.  The depot cairn is more than 6 ft. above the surface, very solid and large; then there are the pony protection walls; altogether it should show up for many miles.