Jack makes preparations for a journey by Joyce, Wild and Gaze to the Barrier (the Ross Ice Shelf) to retrieve rock specimens and place a cross on Spencer Smith’s grave...

December 14 1916: “Afternoon occupied cutting inscription on Smith’s cross which to be placed on his grave on Barrier – party leaving tomorrow…..Party has been pretty well occupied getting ready for trip to C[ape] Crozier and to recover rocks from Beardmore left on Barrier last March. Think greatest importance these specimens should be obtained."

15 December 1916: "Beginning now to have more frequently the ship to mind and wonder if relief will be sent this year. Hope so but at same time hope to get a complete set of tide charts before we have to depart, also should like to get as much information from anemometer as possibly can. "

Jack notes that 3150 penguin eggs had been collected at Cape Royds (10 kilometres north of Cape Evans). These would provide food if they were stranded for another year. Wild, Joyce spent time in the hut from Shackleton’s Nimrod expedition (1907-09) in the last few months of 1916.