Friday 24 Nov. [Actually November 23]

We were out and packed the sledges by 7 a.m. When we had finished with this – having loaded everything on to the three sledges, it blew, with drift, worse than ever. We had to make a virtue of a necessity and turn in again. But first we took a good load of dog meat. The fact is that we all prefer this to our favourite dish – pemmican. We always boil it, as we have nothing to fry it in.

The dogs have distinctly recovered. The ravenous hunger they previously showed, has now completely disappeared. They stroll around fat, full and satisfied. We all benefit from the rest we have here – even if it is boring. We have to spend the time in our sleeping bags, and that is not pleasant in the long run.

Thick drift all day with occasional glimpses of the sun. Somewhat calmer this evening. –26°