Lean and
Correll was to start in early November with the object of investigating
the coastline beyond the Mertz Glacier.

(6) Finally, a Far-Eastern Party, assisted by the dogs, was to push
out rapidly overland to the southward of Madigan's party, mapping more
distant sections of the coastline, beyond the limit to which the latter
party would be likely to reach.

As the plans for the execution of such a journey had of necessity to
be more provisional than in the case of the others, I determined to
undertake it, accompanied by Ninnis and Mertz, both of whom had so ably
acquitted themselves throughout the Expedition and, moreover, had always
been in charge of the dogs.

November opened with more moderate weather, auguring still better
conditions for midsummer. Accordingly November 6 was fixed as the date
of final departure for several of the parties. The evening of November
5 was made a special occasion: a farewell dinner, into which everybody
entered very heartily.

On the morning of the 6th, however, we found a strong blizzard raging
and the landscape blotted out by drift-snow, which did not clear until
the afternoon of the following day.

At the first opportunity, Murphy, Hunter and Laseron (supporting the
Southern Party) got away, but found the wind so strong at a level of
one thousand feet on the glacier that they anchored their sledge and
returned to the Hut for the night.

The next morning saw them off finally and, later in the day, the
Near-Eastern Party (Stillwell, Close and Hodgeman) and the Eastern
Coastal Party (Madigan, McLean and Correll) got under way, though there
was still considerable wind.

My own party was to leave on the 9th for, assisted by the dogs, we could
easily catch up to the other eastern parties, and it was our intention
not to part company with them until all were some distance out on the
road together.

The wind increased on the 9th and the air became charged with drift,
so we felt sure that those who preceded us would still be camped at
Aladdin's Cave, and that the best course was to wait.

At this date the penguin rookeries were full of new-laid eggs, and the
popular taste inclined towards omelettes, in the production of which
Mertz was a past master. I can recall the clamouring throng who pressed
round for the final omelette as Mertz officiated at the stove just
before we left on the 10th.

It was a beautiful calm afternoon as the sledge mounted up the long icy
slopes. The