stefansson-wrangel-09-22-011r

-11-

Sept. 27 - 7 A.M. clear, cold, ocean froze. Wind comes up about
11 A.M. (breeze) E, snowing, drifting rest day. I.E. stopped
once & cleared, snowed again 1/2 hr. All stay in. Gather
wood we find around camp (little). Will not be able to
use dory, I.E. if at all intended, ice too thick - in moving.
Ice on river pretty thick. Pond where we get drinking
water frozen to bottom (4 inches).

Sept. 28 - 7 A.M. Clear, sun out, maybe nice day. Go to sleep.
10 C wakes me, "Coffee for you," (quite different than
expected, believe I was too harsh in judgment). Sometime
later I am informed that going to build winter camp. Go
W. to 1st harbor mouth, start camp, shaped: two ridge poles,
six uprights, two to come into kitchen tent. Uprights 9
feet, ridges 26. Rafters slant up to ridges, cross poles
on top. Takes about 30 odd rafters 11 ft. long, ridges
4 ft. apart. Door to face south. Location not best (I
think) but C & K very likely have own reasons. Open water
3/4 mile W. camp to past harbor mouth. Use of dory probable.
Must have strong W wind for possibility. On way back K
tells me that they (C & K) were probably going to Nome
next spring, does not say why. Tells me will need lots
money, asks if I have any. Will loan all ($2.50). K keeps
conversation pretty nonsensical. Of course, I could ask
questions but not up to me. I can figure their motives.
Will note now they will not go to Nome or even Siberia.
We shall await developments. Was informed (K) he would
not like to go but had to. Evening make suggestion to all:
Instead two uprights in kitchen one by stove, 1 end of
C bunk. Have two poles outside tents slanting up to ridge
on opposite side from which they rest - cross above tents
(kitchen) & have ridges fastened to that. Believe better
than other system; will also help keep ridges coming
closer together. Suggestion taken as insult.

Sun hid much, thawing afternoon. Saw large flocks of
ducks, thought first old squaws, see later are mostly
female eiders. One flock several 100.

Sept. 29 - Weather good, light breeze all day E, sun out later
afternoon, 4 till sunset. Have noticed almost every morn-
ing while sun coming up wind goess to breeze & stronger,
lasts few hrs. then to variable airs or light steady breeze
from 1 direction. Sea ice several inches, enough to walk
on. Fox in camp last night, fox along beach. Water W.
camp frozen over. All stay in, nothing attempted.
C opens box H bread, 2 days advanced, boils walrus
flippers for breakfast.

Sept. 30 - 5 A.M. clear light breeze E, 12 cloudy, 2 sun out, airs
south. C & K take sled go E get load wood. Sled blow
on snow & ice, bad going, wood enough for 5 days.
Cut some evening, light breeze N. looks like a blow from W.

- ## -