Thursday, 11 January 1912

Scott

Cloud and snow crystals with a light breeze made the going "agonising," wrote Scott. "I never had such pulling; all the time the sledge rasps and creaks. We have covered 6 miles, but at fearful cost to ourselves." [1]

They were now 74 miles from the Pole. "Can we keep this up for seven days? It takes it out of us like anything. None of us ever had such hard work before.... Our chance still holds good if we can put the work in, but it's a terribly trying time."

Behind them, "a bliz" and the resulting drift made the going difficult for Lt. Evans's party for a stretch of days, but they pushed on regardless. "Things are a bit better to-day," Lashly wrote. "Could see the land alright and where to steer for. It is so nice to have something to look at, but I am thinking we shall all have our work cut out to reach the depôt before our provisions run short. I am deducting a small portion each meal so that we shall not have to go without altogether if we don't bring up at the proper time. Have done about 14 miles." [2]


Amundsen

Good skiing back on the Barrier made for an easy day's run.

Bjaaland, encouraged perhaps by the sight of the skua the day before, totted up the distances to go. "Slept for seven hours, then out to run 15 m[iles] until we reach 82° then six hours' sleep until the 80th degree is reached, then 20 m until we arrive at Framheim." [3]


Notes

[1] R.F. Scott, diary, 11 January, 1912, quoted in Scott's Last Expedition, v.1.
[2] William Lashly, diary, 11 January, 1912, quoted by Apsley Cherry-Garrard in The Worst Journey in the World, ch.XII.
[3] Olav Bjaaland, diary, 12 January, 1912, quoted by Roland Huntford in Race for the South Pole : the expedition diaries of Scott and Amundsen (London : Continuum, c2010), p.239.