Part I: Seals teeth and whales ears - Scott Polar Research Institute ...

11.Scientific:
1 collecting jar (70% alcohol)
10 specimen tubes
3 sketch blocks
4 2B pencils
1 rubber
plus geological equipment
12.General:
2 primus stoves and spares
6 galls. kerosene
1 bottle alcohol
- wool and darning needles
- cotton thread and needles
1 ball of twine
1 block and tackle
160 ft climbing rope
1 shovel
- soap
4 sledge sealskins
1 cigarette lighter
- candles
This all had to be lashed onto our sledges and dragged behind us.
The Winter Journey, l949. 20 July was warmer than usual, even muggy, the
temperature between -24°C and -27°C. We worked on preparations for the trip all
day, and were all ready for a start next morning. The seals were almost gone now so
there was no reason for further delay, except to be certain that the sea ice was really
fast. Unfortunately, the pack had moved right in to the coast of Coronation before
freezing fast, which would mean dragging the sledge over hummocked areas - very
much harder work than over the flat sea ice. To travel on land was quite impossible
as Coronation Island was far too rugged, with ridges and glaciers along the way.
So, on the afternoon of 21 July, Derek, Charlie and I left base. The air temperature
was -29°C, the day cloudy and overcast, but cleared as we left although there was
always plenty of cloud. We had two 7 ft man-hauling sledges and a pyramid tent. We
first pulled the number 1 sledge (with handlebars), and left it half way to Reid Island,
then going back for the second. The day deteriorated and a slight wind arose by the
time we halted for lunch at 5.15 pm, having taken both sledges halfway. We decided
to go on for half an hour with number 1 sledge, pitch camp, and return for number 2.
We managed this, getting nearly to Reid Island and I took on the first week of
cooking to see how the rations would pan out. I got the primus going about 8 o’clock
and we kept it on until 11 o’clock. There was trouble with the pemmican, which was
frozen solid, and we felt the shortage of cooking pans. Derek contacted John at base,
at 9 o’clock, but lost him almost immediately. He spent about an hour playing about
with the set and adjusting the aerial outside and we had supper when he returned.
To bed at 11.15 pm, warm, well fed and comfortable.
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