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[[preprinted]] 39 [[/preprinted]]

splendid; less because of Mountains than the ice slopes themselves - gleaming like steel into the sun, blue, gray & white in other directions. Huge rounded slopes of ice rose above us - even higher as we climbed. Down below was an immense expanse of ice below the Nunutuks [[nunataks]].

Soon after lunch Dean found a small brown meteorite he thought was an iron.. A few minutes later I found a doubtful stone but Shiraishi & I decided to take it. By then Dean had found another. After that it was collecting all P.M. As Dean & Shiraishi photographed, recorded, & packaged them I scouted the scene and would always find 2 more for them. They were all pieces of same fall (ex. the 1st one of the day). We kept hoping to find the bigger members but none were more than ~ 8 cm. This PM did marvels for my morale. I have now sampled the antarctic meteorite collecting experience & am perfectly happy w my contribution. Easy as it was, it was a very joyous experience. Now I wish we could stay at Darwin longer: sleep in comfort, & be fed sumptously. We are prepared for a Hercules flight due at 12 P.M. Packed, repalletized, and ready. Uncertainty on Herc flights continues: At 1:20 AM we are lying & waiting. First we were told a Herc would pick us up at ~ 9:00 & fly to J9 before to McM. That would have been interesting. In radio shack we just learned, however, that we will go on a Herc. that failed to land at Byrd Sta. The need here at Darwin for a Herc. is now absolute.

There is [[underlined]] NO [[/underlined]] more helo fuel. We could not circle over the Beng Glacier tonight because we were on the last lap of the last helo ride before total grounding for fuel. The Camp also needs a generator.

[[underlined]] Dec. 30 [[/underlined]] 2:00 were roused from doze by cat tractor grinding & backing up right outside. Then w huge moan landed a Hercules C-130-ski-equipped. Possibly the only such in the world. I got up & out & Dave, on tractor, asked me to awaken the other USARP passengers: Dean, Shiraishi, Dr. Moitke, his assist. The Herc continued to run & moan

Transcription Notes:
[[minor corrections, names are likely Kazuyuki Shiraishi, FD Miotke. katie 10/10]]