In the winter of 1846, the Donner Party, comprising around eighty pioneers, found themselves stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains, a harrowing episode in their quest for a better life in California. Among them, seventeen individuals, including men, women, and children, embarked on a desperate journey on December 16th, attempting to traverse the mountains on snowshoes to reach help 100 miles away near Sacramento. Facing extreme hardships, only seven of this group, later known as the Forlorn Hope, survived, their story becoming a testament to human endurance and tragedy.
The saga of the Forlorn Hope, lasting 33 days, remains a subject of fascination and mystery, with details about their route and the intense physical, mental, and emotional challenges they faced still largely unknown. Efforts to map their journey accurately and delve into the personal histories, characters, and motivations of each member aim to shed light on the human survival instinct and the critical moments that tested the limits of their civility and resilience.
Details of the Expedition
To honor the Forlorn Hope, a never before attempted 100-mile winter reprise crossing on foot across the Sierra Nevada mountains from Donner Lake to Johnson Ranch, in Wheatland, California, retracing their route.
Pioneer Monument at Donner Memorial State Park December 16th, 2020 from the Donner Museum at the east end of Donner Lake, CA, exactly 174 years to the day of the commencement of the Forlorn Hope journey (December 16, 1846).
Bob Crowley and Tim Twietmeyer, veteran ultra-distance trail runners who have been researching and field surveying the route for seven years, accompanied by Jennifer Hemmen, a versatile ultra-distance and adventure athlete and Elke Reimer, a veteran ultra-distance runner, backpacker and trail steward.
It is anticipated it will take the team 5-6 days to complete the expedition. The route will take them up and over the eastern Sierra at Donner Pass (7,057’), across the high chaparral, into and across the daunting North Fork American River canyon and down the foothills to the northern Sacramento Valley. Deep snow and frigid temperatures are anticipated, requiring much of the journey be done in snowshoes and wilderness arctic gear. Progressing 10 to 35 miles per day, the hikers will set camp each evening close to where they believe several notable camps including Starve Camp and the Camp of Death were struck by the Forlorn Hope.
- Appreciate the history, character and motivations of each Forlorn Hope member, the obstacles they encountered and insights into their psyche throughout their ordeal,
- Share important new historical information and maps regarding the believed route of the Forlorn Hope,
- Honor and reflect upon the seventeen souls who dared this selfless and desperate act.
The adventurers will keep a daily journal during their journey. A film crew will be embedded to capture the conditions, terrain and team interaction. A GPS tracking system will trace the team’s movements live over the internet. Anyone can follow the expedition beginning December 16th here: share.garmin.com/MTN200S
Photo Gallery
Additional Info
As an expression of respect, each team member will carry cards with each Forlorn Hope member’s photo and brief bio as a reminder of their struggle. Following the completion of the trek, team members will assemble a presentation of their journey, sharing observations and impressions regarding the trail, conditions and obstacles encountered, and insight into the Forlorn Hope members.
