Bill got a bad go of sun-glare from following the track without
goggles on.

"_January_ 26.--This day last year we started the depot journey. I did
not think so short a time would turn me into an old hand at Polar
travelling, neither did I imagine all the time that I would be
returning from the Pole.

"_January_ 29.--Our record march to-day. With a good breeze and
improving surface we were soon in amongst the double tracks where the
supporting party left us. Then we picked up the memorable camp where
I transferred to the advance party. How glad I was to change over. The
camp was much drifted up, and immense sastrugi . . . etc."

Day's marches, temperatures, and so on, then his diary commences missing
days out and only contains two line entries in short, sharp notes such
as:

"_January_ 31.--Picked up depot 11.20 a.m. Picked up my ski 6.15 p.m.
No wind latterly--heavy surface. 13 1/2--Bill's leg--Evans's
fingers--extra biscuits, etc."; and

"_February_ 11.--Very heavy surface--ice crystals--movement of upper
currents--Evans cook--finer weather--lower temperature--sastrugi.
Run 11.1."

It was probably the beginning of the end.

February brought little to the party but bad luck and reverses. Wilson
had strained a tendon in his leg. Evans's fingers were in a bad state