Page:Scott's Last Expedition, Volume 2.djvu/490

the Barrier it proved of assistance up to One Ton Depôt and then had to be abandoned.

The new sledges, called Finnesskis, were the cause of much discussion. Six had been ordered from Hägen of Christiania, and these arrived with tapered runners, the breadth of the runner in front being 4 inches, diminishing to 2½ on the after part of the sledge. We tried these sledges with the old 12-foot, man-hauling over various surfaces and with equal loads. In every case the new sledges ran more easily, but it was impossible to judge if there was sufficient bearing surface for them with heavy loads on the soft Barrier surface. They eventually proved to be of the greatest service, and animals or men could move loads on these sledges which it was impossible for them to move with the ordinary 12-foot and broad runner. The idea of the sledge was that the broad front portion should run over and smooth and prepare the track for the after tapered portion.

There was very little alteration needed in any of the other gear. Each individual had his personal likes and dislikes and adapted his gear accordingly. In the rations there was only a very slight alteration, our old summit ration being adhered to with the addition of extra sugar, a stick of chocolate, and one onion per man per day.

On August 22 we celebrated the return of the sun with a special dinner, and ended up proceedings with a sing-song. It was not until the 23rd, however, that the sun was seen, and then only by Nelson, who saw its upper rim from the top of the ramp. Almost every day now