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As our trench got deeper & shovels flew higher I began dreaming of a bucket brigade. Then in a flash I remembered my space blanket. Unpacked it and spread it on trench floor to catch the snow from the cave. Every so often we would pass up a blanket full and heave it to one side. A great effort-saver. The morning began overcast, no blue sky, but mild. The afternoon was gorgeous - blue & bright w Erebus puffing away over us. The hollowing out went on and on -  The [[strikethrough]] trench  [[/strikethrough]] slot took v. little time. Then the roofing! All of our first blocks broke apart - then someone told us about hard patches of snow. Rich Maroler form Willie field came to help us. He has made four snow shelters. We were the last to finish - others were having shrimp and beer as we labored. Rich came in w a case of beer for all of us, and what a Godsend that was - even to me. Beer is a big issue w Ghislaine and Bob. They want it often.

When we finally finished we had a trench ~ ' long x 3' wide; a 6' slot on one side & a cave that deep in the other: a "cooking shelf", 3 steps up to the entrance, and no decent seal to entomb us. Snow packed over the roof.

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A candle lit & placed on the cooking shelf, and a little trench in the floor alongside the cave. 

6 ensolite pads & 3 huge sleeping bags went into the cave. 2 and 1 on the slot. For about 1 1/2 hours we were cooking dehydrated beef stew and cooking a cheesecake from mix decorated with the words: Fun on the ice.

After dinner there was beer; Donna had a bottle of Tequila & some orange juice. Most of the others went back to the slope nr the A-frame & slid down the icy hill on a huge tire. I did dishes w Russ & had a decent conversation. He is from Connecticut - a photographer and an armed courier who can fly you or your valuables in his own plane. Has batted about in many countries.

When time finally came to sleep Bob said we should go in one by one. I first. I struggled out of my wind pants etc. & into the sleeping bag. Struggle is the word. The cave was big enough for us w. no sleeping bags. Now I got in only by pushing against my ice axe. Then Bob came in to inspect things - It looked impossible.  Ghislaine agreed. We could not fit even like social sardines. I decided to occupy an old palace & let them use our cave. But then Russ offered to do that, so I got his shelf. It was [[plus/minus sign]] big enough but I was very cold. Even tho I used my Bivouac bag inside the sleeping bag.