CHAPTER XV.
THE AUTUMN WORK The main purpose of the autumn sledge parties was the transportation to Cape Columbia of supplies for the spring sledge journey toward the Pole.
Cape Columbia, ninety miles northwest from the ship, had been chosen because it was the most northerly point of Grant Land, and because it was far enough west to be out of the ice current setting down Robeson Channel.

From there we could strike straight north over the ice of the Polar Sea.
[Illustration: VIEW BETWEEN THE ROOSEVELT AND CAPE COLUMBIA] The moving of thousands of pounds of supplies for men and dogs for a distance of ninety miles, under the rigorous conditions of the Arctic, presented problems for calculation.

The plan was to establish stations along the route, instead of sending each party through to Cape Columbia and back.

The first party was to go to Cape Belknap, about twelve miles from the ship, deposit their supplies, and return the same day.

The second party was to go to Cape Richardson, about twenty miles away, deposit their supplies, return part way and pick up the supplies at Cape Belknap, taking them forward to Cape Richardson.