stefansson-wrangel-09-29-058

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January 9th: "Did nothing but sleep all day as both Crawford and
I were badly chafed and sore. A rather poor excuse but the only one we have.
Clear, calm and very cold'.'

January 10th: "Broke camp early this morning and again started
due south. A short way from the beach we unexpectedly hit soft snow and I had to
get in harness with the dogs. About two miles offshore we again came to the edge
of the rough ice, which was impossible for the small team and the poor sled that
we have. We traveled east about four miles, getting nearer to the shore all the
time, and finally camped on the shore side of the pressure ridge due south of
Cape Hawaii, about two miles offshore. The going ahead looks very bad and as we
only have five dogs in poor condition and the weather is very cold, it is need-
less to say that going is very difficult. Unless we get started south soon I am
afraid that we will have to go back to the main camp and then west, looking for
a way through the rough ice."

Since we know that both Knight and Crawford knew that sea ice
is always roughest near the land, we must conclude that they considered the
rickety sled good enough for the rest of the journey if they could only get
past the first few miles of the crushed inshore ice without breakage. They were
looking for a gap in the rampart and were not finding it. Under ordinary condi-
tions we do not look for such gaps, but tackle the ice directly ahead, no matter
how bad it is, making a road with pickaxes. The alternative frequently employed
is to leave the teams behind while men go several miles ahead to reconnoitre,
selecting eventually the least difficult route.

January 11th: "Blowing a light gale from the northeast and
drifting snow. Stayed in camp. Cold and clear."

January 12th: "Broke camp at 9:30 A.M. and traveled until 11:30.
We first went south to the pressure ridge and from the top of it saw smooth ice
running east and west. We made a road through several hundred feet of rubble