Joyce wrote on the 21st that Smith was worse, and that Mackintosh was showing signs of exhaustion.

A mountain that he believed to be Mount Hope could be seen right ahead, over thirty miles away.

Spencer-Smith, who had struggled forward gamely and made no unnecessary complaints, started with the party the next morning and kept going until shortly before noon.

Then he reported his inability to proceed, and Mackintosh called a halt.

Spencer-Smith suggested that he should be left with provisions and a tent while the other members of the party pushed on to Mount Hope, and pluckily assured Mackintosh that the rest would put him right and that he would be ready to march when they returned.