With an outfit of this kind it is possible for a party to undertake the longest of sledge-journeys in very low temperatures, and under all conditions, from sleeping in the open to the hard work of lifting and hauling the sledges over difficult places, with comparatively little discomfort.
For polar sea-ice work I consider this costume absolutely vital, because of the protection which it affords in case of falling into the leads or cracks in the ice. With the draw-string at the bottom of the coat fastened tight, with the tops of the boots tied tightly over the flap at the bottom of the trousers, a man, falling or slipping into a narrow lead, may be immersed in the water or slush to his shoulders for two or three minutes before scrambling out, and not only not experience any ill effects, but not even have to pay any attention to the mishap. During a few minutes’ immersion no water will have penetrated his fur costume; and if he is immediately scraped down with a whip-handle or back of a knife to remove most of the water or slush from the outside fur of his clothing and then, as he walks briskly along, from time to time he beats his clothing with whip-stock or knife-blade, he will have it virtually dry and clear of frost and ice at the end of three or four hours.
If he falls into a lead in such a way that he cannot extricate himself, the bulk and contained air of his fur clothing will buoy him up for a long time before the water finally penetrates it.
A sleeping-bag has always been considered an absolutely essential item of equipment for any and every sledge-party, but I have not used one since my expedition of 1891–92. My clothing outfit has served as sleeping-bag, and has enabled me to dispense entirely with that heavy, cumbersome, temper-destroying feature of sledge-work, and has permitted me to substitute on my sledges, in place of each sleeping-bag, ten or twelve additional pounds of pemmican.
COMPASS COURSE INDICATOR
Devised by Peary for keeping course on the great interior ice cap in thick weather and clouds. A liquid boat compass mounted on two ski at the end of a bamboo pole and pushed ahead of him by the leader of the party
PEARY SLEDGE IN ACTION
For any serious sledge-journey in polar regions there are four and only four food essentials, whatever the time of year, the temperature, or the length of the trip. These are pemmican, tea, ship’s biscuit, and condensed milk. Long experience with these foods as staples has convinced me that nothing else is necessary either to provide heat for the body or to build muscle. As a matter of fact, all could be omitted except the pemmican. The others, while desirable, are all from the stern polar point of view, merely luxuries.