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A couple of visits over the hill w a shovel took place. My problem is more the opposite but not serious. It grew dark & blew harder. We settled in about 10:30 with some cheer over the Menthe, but overall feeling abandoned & resenting it. I couldn't zip my sleeping bag when I went to bed--it wouldn't catch, so I was cold for a long time -- trying to hold it together. Finally I tried again & got it. Yet I was chilly thinking of all the great things -- parka, bivouac pants, chemical pads -- in my box -- which came in on the last load & sits partway up the hill.

[[underlined]] Feb. 16  [[/underlined]] The blow was much harder in A.M. Yet in mid-morning we went out to see about pans & other supplies. Met Bill who said his walkie-talk batteries were dead so out of contact with ship. He wondered if they would send a Zodiac later to check on us. I found that virtually nobody had pots or pans - others were snacking also. Jeff Stillwell was alone in his tent all night! No idea how to use a stove - [[underlined]] Dreadful! [[/underlined]] Bill turned him over to Fred for learning. Marilyn gave me a pan! She said a few did come in & she could spare this one -- I wonder. I'll bet she or someone brought it. The blow so strong we [[strikethrough]] hied [[/strikethrough]] went back to tent never intending to emerge during storm. But, early pm. Bill came by and ordered everyone out to shore - "They sent us a zodiac and we've got problems." Out we went, barely able to see. & over the hill to shore. Not one but 2 zodiacs came. We formed a human chain to lift things up ravine to bluff above tide line. Then back, wet and in total disorder in tent.

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First order of business - to resort items - put sleeping bags in line - Mine listed all night or it tilted off mat, and gear bags at one end. Food (w no boxes) in middle w stove, water. Before we got fairly started, Tim came by & asked us to turn out again. The two zodiacs were not secure & they needed all hands to the shore to pull them up our beach. "You can't be serious" I said. "Well, the only other thing is to lose them." I tried to persuade Toni to stay home as she is genuinely under the weather. But she wanted to do her share. After a long time redressing, I went out & could barely see the other tents. The wind blew so hard out of SW that I could not stand, but had to hunch & balance & swing w. it. My goggles snowed solid immediately. Finally I saw some men toward other end of tent line. They said nothing coherent. I didn't know where to go or what to do. Snow slashed my eyes wherever I turned back. One thing I knew: I personally could be no help in saving a zodiac. Halfway back along line I found Luis unable to get his yellow jacket up over his shoulder. I helped. Then asked if I could throw my glasses into his tent. I could not wear them, carry them & do anything useful, or turn back, needlessly, to my tent. He urged me to just throw them in. Heaven knows if I will ever see them again. What I needed was Christchurch issue goggles to wear over balaclava. I went back to stockpile & found a new Coleman - decided to claim it, but it was almost impossible to carry. Back along the line, Bill & some men were out but