The second sledging season was the Ross Sea Party’s biggest challenge. They had to top up the earlier depots and build new ones at 81º, 82º and 83º south. The plan was for all twelve men to make four trips to Bluff at 79º before moving supplies on from there. Time was extremely tight. Even if all went well, they would still be out on the ice during the glacial early days of March.

On 26 August, the first sun for months told them the time had come to move on from Cape Evans and head to Hut Point. They planned to start from there on 1 October, but a blizzard delayed them for eight days. They were behind schedule even before they started.

With nearly 4000 pounds of supplies left to move, Joyce thought the remaining six dogs were their best chance. Mackintosh disagreed and the men began to pull the sledges themselves. Again, progress was disastrously slow. Joyce and Mackintosh argued and the parties split. Mackintosh headed south with Spencer-Smith and Wild. Joyce had Hayward, Stevens, Cope, Richards and Jack.

Joyce’s party seemed relieved to be with him. He lightened their load and spirits soared as the men found sledging easier – although crevasses were a big problem, as Stevens discovered when he fell into one on 27 October. All back at Hut Point after the first round trip to Bluff, Joyce’s arguments for dog-power won the day. To his delight, the animals went with them on the second round trip.