Mike Burns Diary Page – June 2nd, 1970
Transcribed:
A fairly calm morning, slight breeze, clear starlit sky. Still dark when we set off hummocks & bumps just visible. Surface very good, hard glazed or wind packed. Last sledge with 480 lbs. Heading on North Eastern corner of Day Island, then encountered weak areas of sea ice. Large pool of water surrounding a tabular berg with cracks emanating out from it. Ice about 2ft thick but mainly consolidated slush & snow and easily broken. Entering the Gullet Steve’s sledge broke thro’ & one ski lost. Terrrors involved in a free-for-all difficulty experienced in getting them apart. Onyx cut paw Cleve limping Clough small puncture on leg Jet cut mouth. Ski led dogs onto better ice. Steve however going in again himself up to waist. Headed across Gullet for Tickle Channel, Steve thro the ice again! Reached narrow gap Hauser Island to Adelaide Island to find open water. Quick confab & decided to have another go up The Gunnel to the East of Hauser. More soft patches but finally made the channel to good ice, many cracks. Went approx. 3 miles up the channel then found leads & floes. Not really safe for sledging so turned back. On the whole all very good experience. Terrors much improved, not leaping along but a steady plod. Returned via The Gullet to Sorge Island & camped on a small ice promontory. Read g)ravimeter)! Cleve’s left foreleg very swollen around wrist joint. Usual feelings of uselessness, definitely a nasty appearance, no obvious wound. Evening witter sched, spoke to Whisky & arranged to meet them tomorrow.