“January 22. We came across Evans’ sheepskin boots this morning.  They were almost covered up after their long spell since they fell off the sledge [on January 11].  The breeze was fair from the S.S.W. but got lighter and lighter.  At lunch camp we had completed 8.2 miles.  In the afternoon the breeze fell altogether, and the surface, acted on by the sun, became perfect sawdust.  The light sledge pulled by five men came along like a drag without a particle of slide or give.  We were all glad to camp soon after 7 P.M.  I think we were all pretty tired out.  We did altogether 19.5 miles for the day.  We are only thirty miles from the 11/2 Degree Depot, and should reach it in two marches with any luck.” [The minimum temperature this night was -30 deg. (uncorrected).]

“January 23. Started off with a bit of a breeze which helped us a little [temperature -28 deg.].  After the first two hours it increased to force 4, S.S.W., and filling the sail we sped along merrily, doing 83/4 miles before lunch.  In the afternoon it was even stronger, and I had to go back on the sledge and act as guide and brakesman.  We had to lower the sail a bit, but even then she ran like a bird.

“We are picking up our old cairns famously.  Evans got his nose frost-bitten, not an unusual thing with him, but as we were all getting pretty cold latterly we stopped at a quarter to seven, having done 161/2 miles.  We camped with considerable difficulty owing to the force of the wind."[311]

The same night Scott wrote:  “We came along at a great pace, and should have got within an easy march of our [One and a Half Degree] Depot had not Wilson suddenly discovered that Evans’ nose was frost-bitten—­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.

“There is no doubt Evans is a good deal run down—­his fingers are badly blistered and his nose is rather seriously congested with frequent frost-bites.  He is very much annoyed with himself, which is not a good sign.  I think Wilson, Bowers and I are as fit as possible under the circumstances.  Oates gets cold feet.  One way and another I shall be glad to get off the summit!...  The weather seems to be breaking up."[312]

Bowers resumes the tale: 

“January 24. Evans has got his fingers all blistered with frost-bites, otherwise we are all well, but thinning, and in spite of our good rations get hungrier daily.  I sometimes spend much thought on the march with plans for making a pig of myself on the first opportunity.  As that will be after a further march of 700 miles they are a bit premature.

“It was blowing a gale when we started and it increased in force.  Finally with the sail half down, one man detached tracking ahead and Titus and I breaking back, we could not always keep the sledge from overrunning.  The blizzard got worse and worse till, having done only seven miles, we had to camp soon after twelve o’clock.  We had a most difficult job camping, and it has been blowing like blazes all the afternoon.  I think it is moderating now, 9 P.M.  We are only seven miles from our depot and this delay is exasperating."[313]