Hurley's Journal - November 13, 1915
At noon to-day the temperature rose to +33, with the result that the surface of the floe has become very mushy, and one sinks knee deep in the soft snow. The surface is more untravellable for boats and sledges than ever. During the evening, the party congregated in the Billabong, and held a concert. The voices, accompanied by Hussey's indispensable banjo, sounded strangely out of place amidst the profound silence of the hummock; yet it is gratifying to hear that ring of hearty laughter that betokens contentment and harmony, the attributes of excellent leadership and good eating.
I spent the day converting four pairs of boots into crampons, by adding spikes and leash bars to the soles. These we hope will be useful, should it be necessary to cross the glaciated inland ice of Graham Land to Wilhelmina Bay. It is hoped that the drift will carry us sufficiently rapidly on our course, or dessiminate to enable communication to be effected with the outside world, to obviate another forced wintering.
NOTE: Almost as interesting as the concert, is the way Shackleton is keeping Hurley busy with the boots.