Sunday, January 21.—­R. 4. 10,010.  Temp, blizzard, -18 deg. to -11 deg., to -14 deg. now.  Awoke to a stiff blizzard; air very thick with snow and sun very dim.  We decided not to march owing to likelihood of losing track; expected at least a day of lay up, but whilst at lunch there was a sudden clearance and wind dropped to light breeze.  We got ready to march, but gear was so iced up we did not get away till 3.45.  Marched till 7.40—­a terribly weary four-hour drag; even with helping wind we only did 5 1/2 miles (6 1/4 statute).  The surface bad, horribly bad on new sastrugi, and decidedly rising again in elevation.

We are going to have a pretty hard time this next 100 miles I expect.  If it was difficult to drag downhill over this belt, it will probably be a good deal more difficult to drag up.  Luckily the cracks are fairly distinct, though we only see our cairns when less than a mile away; 45 miles to the next depot and 6 days’ food in hand—­then pick up 7 days’ food (T. -22 deg.) and 90 miles to go to the ‘Three Degree’ Depot.  Once there we ought to be safe, but we ought to have a day or two in hand on arrival and may have difficulty with following the tracks.  However, if we can get a rating sight for our watches to-morrow we shall be independent of the tracks at a pinch.

Monday, January 22.—­10,000.  Temp. -21 deg..  I think about the most tiring march we have had; solid pulling the whole way, in spite of the light sledge and some little helping wind at first.  Then in the last part of the afternoon the sun came out, and almost immediately we had the whole surface covered with soft snow.

We got away sharp at 8 and marched a solid 9 hours, and thus we have covered 14.5 miles (geo.) but, by Jove! it has been a grind.  We are just about on the 89th parallel.  To-night Bowers got a rating sight.  I’m afraid we have passed out of the wind area.  We are within 2 1/2 miles of the 64th camp cairn, 30 miles from our depot, and with 5 days’ food in hand.  Ski boots are beginning to show signs of wear; I trust we shall have no giving out of ski or boots, since there are yet so many miles to go.  I thought we were climbing to-day, but the barometer gives no change.

Tuesday, January 23.—­Lowest Minimum last night -30 deg., Temp, at start -28 deg..  Lunch height 10,100.  Temp, with wind 6 to 7, -19 deg..  Little wind and heavy marching at start.  Then wind increased and we did 8.7 miles by lunch, when it was practically blowing a blizzard.  The old tracks show so remarkably well that we can follow them without much difficulty—­a great piece of luck.

In the afternoon we had to reorganise.  Could carry a whole sail.  Bowers hung on to the sledge, Evans and Oates had to lengthen out.  We came along at a great rate and should have got within an easy march of our 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.