Cutting steps with the adze, we moved in a lateral direction round the base of a dolomite, which blocked our view to the north.

The same precipice confronted us.

Away to the north-east there appeared to be a snow-slope that might give a path to the lower country, and so we retraced our steps down the long slope that had taken us three hours to climb.

We were at the bottom in an hour.

We were now feeling the strain of the unaccustomed marching.