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did better moving along on belly. When last seen they were clambering along, talking a little & climbing over the ice cakes toward the beach. Goodbye, we said, but they ignored us. Between the first two zodiacs (we had four) a group of orange-suited Argentines walked down the hillside to the [[?]] & visited camp. About 8 of them -- the chefe and all his top brass. They were very cordial. I talked w a group that had one English-speaking member. Then another with Luis interpreting. The Chefe himself came to me to say he thought what I am doing is very important. Luis says he had told him and the Chefe understood a lot about meteorites. We took pictures and exchanged greetings & they invited us to a barbecue on Sunday. Bill had plied them w cigarettes and beer. The thought Mark Eichenberger was the captain of the ship, and no wonder. With his height & bearing and elegant Spanish he could well be that. The final zodiac, of four, brought Jeff. I was starting toward the beach & met this fellow all in yellow carrying a sack on his shoulder & he said "Hi there". I hadn't recognized him! I threw my arms around him in greeting and tried to find his tent. Couldn't. But we compared notes of our storm adventures. He said the ship very nearly left us for Palmer. Losing time. They knew we had no radio or half our provisions but figured we could get in touch w. the Argentines. Betzel was supposed to be at an opening of a new Chinese base on St. George's Island. That would have brought down a court martial for sure. [[margin]] Tent temp. pm 40°f [[/margin]] [[end page]] [[start page]] The big job of PM was making rock boxes. What an awful carpenter I turned out to be--made poorly fitting boxes. Also sorted thru new supplies - got a better type of air mattress. Toni totally reorganized her side of tent w. rock boxes for storing supplies against the wall. I will reorganize in different fashion tomorrow. We had a visit from 3 lesser Argentines in pm. Swaped info on work and took pictures of each other. Burned a big pile of old cartons & stuff. I went to our box and brought up my fluorescent lamp and bivouac pants. Had a light supper of soup and cheese & crackers. 7-up and water. I am showing evidence of dehydration. Toni went next tent to drink a bottle of wine w her friend Scott -- arrived today -- & I put my belongings & part of tent in order. Good to be here w all hands, but only 3 weeks remain to Mar. 14 when we will be picked up. [[left margin]]Argentines clocked winds at 160 km/hr w gusts to 200 km/hr.[[/left margin]] [[underlined]] Wednesday, Feb. 20 [[/underlined]] Colder, overcast, but with some sun. Breezy, but no high wind. Awake ~ 8:15 had instant oatmeal & some hot powdered milk. A fix the camp day. Storehouse raised on edge of camp downwind. Privy underway--cook & lab tent started. Wore Allan Hills parka today as it is cold & no danger of getting it wet. Lucky I bought my Chilean sweater--I wear it day and night. I was mistaken, the timbered bldg was not a storehouse it was the big tent meeting place. Timber frame & padded cover with zipper windows. Two card tables w attached seats suddenly appeared, as did a long table. Very comfortable. No formal lunch but in mid-pm all the
Transcription Notes:
Palmer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palmer_Station