Rations were reduced on the second day, and the party went on half-rations the third day.
"Still blizzarding," wrote Joyce on the 20th.

"Things are serious, what with our patient and provisions running short.

Dog provisions are nearly out, and we have to halve their rations.

We are now on one cup of hoosh among the three of us, with one biscuit and six lumps of sugar.

The most serious of calamities is that our oil is running out.
We have plenty of tea, but no fuel to cook it with." The men in Mackintosh's tent were in no better plight.