There is no doubt that Amundsen’s plan is a very serious menace to ours.  He has a shorter distance to the Pole by 60 miles—­I never thought he could have got so many dogs safely to the ice.  His plan for running them seems excellent.  But above and beyond all he can start his journey early in the season—­an impossible condition with ponies.

The ice is still in at the Glacier Tongue:  a very late date—­it looks as though it will not break right back this season, but off Cape Armitage it is so thin that I doubt if the ponies could safely be walked round.

Thursday, February 23.—­Spent the day preparing sledges, &c., for party to meet Bowers at Corner Camp.  It was blowing and drifting and generally uncomfortable.  Wilson and Meares killed three seals for the dogs.

Friday, February 24.—­Roused out at 6.  Started marching at 9.  Self, Crean, and Cherry-Garrard one sledge and tent; Evans, Atkinson, Forde, second sledge and tent; Keohane leading his pony.  We pulled on ski in the forenoon; the second sledge couldn’t keep up, so we changed about for half the march.  In the afternoon we pulled on foot.  On the whole I thought the labour greater on foot, so did Crean, showing the advantage of experience.

There is no doubt that very long days’ work could be done by men in hard condition on ski.

The hanging back of the second sledge was mainly a question of condition, but to some extent due to the sledge.  We have a 10 ft., whilst the other party has a 12 ft.; the former is a distinct advantage in this case.

It has been a horrid day.  We woke to find a thick covering of sticky ice crystals on everything—­a frost rime.  I cleared my ski before breakfast arid found more on afterwards.  There was the suggestion of an early frosty morning at home—­such a morning as develops into a beautiful sunshiny day; but in our case, alas! such hopes were shattered:  it was almost damp, with temperature near zero and a terribly bad light for travelling.  In the afternoon Erebus and Terror showed up for a while.  Now it is drifting hard with every sign of a blizzard—­a beastly night.  This marching is going to be very good for our condition and I shall certainly keep people at it.

Saturday, February 25.—­Fine bright day—­easy marching—­covered 9 miles and a bit yesterday and the same to-day.  Should reach Corner Camp before lunch to-morrow.

Turned out at 3 A.M. and saw a short black line on the horizon towards White Island.  Thought it an odd place for a rock exposure and then observed movement in it.  Walked 1 1/2 miles towards it and made certain that it was Oates, Bowers, and the ponies.  They seemed to be going very fast and evidently did not see our camp.  To-day we have come on their tracks, and I fear there are only four ponies left.

James Pigg, our own pony, limits the length of our marches.  The men haulers could go on much longer, and we all like pulling on ski.  Everyone must be practised in this.