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[[underlined]] Christmas Day 1981 [[/underlined]]

slept little last night. Very tired but unrelaxed. I like my Karakorum sleeping bag with the [[?]] hood & I absolutely need my work. May use one at home. It not only cuts out light but comforts the eyeballs too. By 8 I was wide awake & caved bear radio comm. in the far tent. 8:30 started to get up - Gh awakened & we started the stove. Before we were half thru breakfast John came around ready to go in 10-15 minutes. We weren't -- asked for 1/2 hour. This is a day for Bobs gravity survey.

This AM we visited 7 of Armenstad's survey flags & measured gravity & altitude & temp. This got us out to stations 1 & 2 on the Nunatak. Places I saw last time. [[underlined]] I tried to locate our old camp site but [[/underlined]] could not. It was one more gorgeous, clear brilliant morning ~ 19[[degree symbol]]f. Gh measured T. John read 2 altimeters side by side & Bob his gravity meter. I admired the scenery and took pictures. We came home for lunch [[therefore symbol]] got out  the bread, butter, vienna sausage.

I asked bob why 2 altimeter & he said one should be read every half hour at base camp but, since nobody wanted to be left behind he took both with us. I decided to offer to stay in camp & take readings this P.M. After all we are here to get results -- besides I wouldn't mind a free afternoon to reorganize.

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It worked out well. As soon as they were off to the ice slopes to the west, I repacked my bags, rearr. my sleeping bag, got rid of constipation, then took a snow bath. An Allan Hills 1st. I'll bet. Stripped completely & sat on box in sun beside tent, rubbed myself quickly w washcloth & snow, felt marvelous, esp on my face & hands & crotch. Then I dressed in different clothes - Biv. pants, red Ant. Jogging sweater, Irish woo, & did other chores. The half hour came up fast. filled all stoves & tried them all -- outdoors. Glad to have that chance to fool w. them. Drove my skidoo to fuel dump, parked & covered it. Changed toilet bag. planned Xmas supper, melted ice, filled thermos. The sky became cloudier & the air colder. They all came roaring back about 5:20. They did 19 stations today - 5 left for tomorrow. Also found ~ 10 or 11 meteorites -- collected 2 or 3 & then gave up- it was aa gravity day -- we will go back. Interestingly, I am not jealous of their find I would suppose I would be. Having discovered my own glossopteric fossils shows me I can do it -- see things, notice, be right -- and the meteorites will come - It's team work anyway. Driving not so good. Pork chops dry & tasteless. Asparagus overdone but Gh. thought underdone. Noodles by John - v. pasty. but we had a good time. It is now 9:25: Bob's generator on - time for bed, a long day planned for tomorrow.