Part one of term paper
Although The of 1846-1847 is the most famous of the immigrant parties to cross the Sierra Nevada along the “Truckee Route,” they were not the first. Where the Stephens Party succeeded in crossing, in a very severe winter in 1844-1845, the became stranded and met only tragedy two years later. The Stephens Party was led by experienced m ...

Part two of term paper
... reached South Pass, a landmark on the trail west, where they inadvertently made their first fatal error. A trail guide or promoter named Lansford Hastings had produced a leaflet claiming he had found a shortcut to California. The Donners decided to attempt to follow that cutoff through Utah into Nevada. They lost much precious time and suffered through severe desert conditions. The physical condition of both humans and animals began to deteriorate, as did their emotional stability. A stabbing oc ...