When arriving there in October 1883, the season was too advanced for Greely to either try to brave the Baffin Bay to reach Greenland with his small boats, or to retire to Fort Conger, so he had to winter on the spot.
Da de ankom der i oktober 1883, var sæsonen for fremskreden til, at Greely at enten prøve at søge til Baffin Bay for at komme til Grønland med sine små både eller at vende tilbage til Fort Conger, så han måtte vinter på stedet.