Evening star., 1936-01-23

plateau was granular ana naIO-
packed-so hard that the skis of the
plane made little impression, and each
time we landed 1t was easily possible
to pick out . smooth surface, free
from sastrugi. During the blizzard
which We experienced at latitude
1888 S., longitude ISIS w., the
wind was from the cast to SOUTH
east and the snow was OF hard,
ne-grained texture.
Throughout the whole period of
flight over the continent, the drift
in relation to our course was never
mere than five degrees and constant
toward the same direction. In fact,
rarely during the whole middle Sec
ton of the fight. from the time Of
reaching the high plateau until we
started on the down-grade to the
Ross Barrier, did we have anything
but easterly and southeasterly winds
Only twice did it blow from the north
and then only for short intervals. 1t
never did blow from the west. Once
on the down-grade and after reaching
the barrier itself, the winds were
from the south.
AL told, we were in the air for l9
hours S minutes. The actual mileage
covered has not yet been determined.
From the start to where we finally
landed the Polar Star. the time on the
way was l3 days 2 hours From
where we left the plane to Little
America was only about 20 miles in
a direct line, but, because of con-
fusion caused by maps issued at diff
ferent times. we had some difficulty
in locating Little America. At~last.
after % days from the start Of our
flight, we reached Admiral Byrd's
abandoned camp.
Takes Many Photographs.
When we were over the mountain
area was able to take many pho
tographs, but. once over the plateau,
there was little to be shown on a
photograph.
1t will be some time before I will
be able to correlate all the informa-
ton gathered. and, even then, science
demands proof. But does not the evil
dence Of these lofty mountain ranges
and the high plateau discovered on
the flight carry the thought that they
are but units in great mountain sys-
tenn that traverses Antarctica? And
is there not the further indication
that the highlands Of Graham Land
which must be regarded as con-
tinuation Of the South American
Andes, link up with the mountains OF
Victoria Land on the Ross Sea, OF
which the Queen Maud range itself
is but a connecting link, in grea,
mountain chain that forms the back
bone of Antarctica? And finally, Is
there not now a strong presumption
that a sea-level channel between the
Weddell and the Ross Seas does not
exist?
Well, my flight of discovery is over
yet there are still vast untrod areas
at this end of the earth-regions OF
heights and depths and cold still
touched with the mystery and the ro-
nance of the unknown. Great Is their
lure, but, what is more, they are all
parts of our heritage, and 1t is man, S
duty to explore them. For the data
Of natural science is like a gigantic
jigsaw puzzle, and We cannot show
the whole of the picture while some OF
the parts are missing.
Problem to Be Solved.
Antarctica, with its 5000 900 square
miles of area, rs per cent of which
remains unexplored, is still q problem
to be solved.
After six polar expeditions my en-
thusiasm has not dimmed. The love
of great adventure is not an acquired
taste; it is in the blood. Will I be
tempted again? Who can tell7 For:
who has known heights and depths
shall not
Again know peace, not as the calm
heart knows
Low ivied walls, a garden close, the
old enchantment Of a rose;
And though he tread the ways of
men. he shall not
Speak the common tongue again
Who has trodden stars seeks peace no
more"
(Copyrieht 1898. by the North American
Newspaper Alliance. Inc. and the New
York Times Coz