Food—sleep

Progress reports at 10.15 p.m. told of a few torches on Blk, XVI and soon they were wending their way into the Tauherenikau Valley, having abandoned their attempt to reach Alpha. Progress reports then failed as the operator had too much trouble in keeping awake but it is said that on their arrival at the hut seven hours later—5.15 a.m.—a few still had the energy to strike up a song.

They were the only things that mattered. The necessity of sleep was almost too strong but later in the day the party made and had the utmost pleasure in eating their meal; it lasted for two hours, off and on.

The return lorry trip showed that the well-earned rest had revived the frayed spirits for the singing had both volume and variety.