Sunday, 25 February 1912

Scott

"Lunch Temp. -12°," wrote Scott. "Managed just 6 miles this morning. Started somewhat despondent; not relieved when pulling seemed to show no improvement. Bit by bit surface grew better, less sastrugi, more glide, slight following wind for a time. Then we began to travel a little faster. But the pulling is still very hard; undulations disappearing but inequalities remain."

"Twenty-six Camp walls about 2 miles ahead, all tracks in sight -- Evans' track very conspicuous. This is something in favour, but the pulling is tiring us, though we are getting into better ski drawing again. Bowers hasn't quite the trick and is a little hurt at my criticisms, but I never doubted his heart. Very much easier -- write diary at lunch -- excellent meal -- now one pannikin very strong tea -- four biscuits and butter."

"Hope for better things this afternoon, but no improvement apparent. Oh! for a little wind -- Evans evidently had plenty." [1]


Notes:

[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 25 February, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition : the Journals, v.1. Note that the published edition of the diary has "E. Evans evidently had plenty" in the last line, by which Scott usually meant P.O. Evans, when he surely must have meant Lt. Evans. Roland Huntford's edition merely says "Evans".