It would be at least four months before spring brought the chance of an opening of the ice, and there was no certainty that Endurance would break free in time to attempt a return to the Vahsel Bay area.
Der var mindst fire måneder til foråret, hvor Endurance muligvis kunne bryde fri af isen, men der var ingen sikkerhed for, at Endurance ville bryde fri tidligt nok til at kunne forsøge at vende tilbage til området ved Vahselbugten.