orth, open water was visible, and to the north-east the
Shackleton Shelf, so that we were nearing home at last. Here, a heavy
snowstorm delayed us for two and a half days, and it was not till the
afternoon of January 13 that we were able to move ahead.

The next day was dull, the sun being quite obscured; and the only check
upon the steering was the south-easterly wind. At midday the thermometer
registered 35 degrees F. in the shade, and the surface became quite
sticky. After tea we walked ahead for a couple of hundred yards to the
summit of a ridge where the full extent of the Helen Glacier was laid
before us. It was evident that our position was some miles north of
the true course, but, considering the absence of steering marks and the
constant overcast weather, we considered ourselves lucky in being so
close to it.

The bad weather continued and snow fell during the following day. On
the 16th the light was better, and we pushed into a strong wind which
freshened to the force of a moderate gale before we had travelled two
miles. Approaching a steep ascent we were compelled to camp. The morning
brought an improvement, and the crossing of the Helen Glacier was
commenced a mile or two above the outward course.

At midday on January 18, over treacherous ice, in the face of strong
winds, we were making good headway towards Junction Corner. Almost daily
for a fortnight a Wilson petrel had visited us, the only form of life
seen on the return journey.

On the 19th we were not able to move until 8.80 P.M., when the wind,
which had been blowing with the force of a gale, subsided. During the
afternoon a magnificent view of the Helen Glacier was obtained, and in
the west we could see Haswell Island and Drygalski Island.

Continuing on the same course, throughout the following day, we picked
up the hut with the binoculars at 5 P.M. There now came a quick descent
to Junction Corner.

On the lower levels there was clear evidence of thawing having occurred.
The firm surface of snow which had been present on the outward journey
was now converted into rough ice, over which we walked painfully in
finnesko. Neve and ice surfaces were covered with sharp spicules, and
the sides and bridges of crevasses were unmistakably thawed.

Leaving Junction Corner at 6 A.M., we steered a course for the hut,
running parallel to the edge of the glacier. At 3 P.M. the mast was
sighted, and, later, the hut itself. When within half a mile of "The
G