How Did We Get Here?
Life would be simple if we knew precisely how it would all play out. Yes, and boring. Thankfully, our journey roaming around the 3rd rock from the sun never happens…
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January 13, 2022
Foreshadowing Fate
The initial days of the 1st Relief journey after leaving Johnson Ranch on February 4th, 1847, were foreshadowing what lay ahead: hypothermia, near drowning, exhaustion, mutiny and despair. They encountered a…
January 4, 2022
First Relief Musters
On Monday, February 1, 1847 seven riders from Sutter's Fort camped a few miles below Johnson Ranch. They were to join others the next day to form the initial rescue…
January 3, 2022
How We Got Here – Donner Story
Our friend and colleague, award-winning journalist, Donner author and historian, Frank Mullen is a master at telling the Donner Party story in it's entirety in less than 45 minutes. He…
December 31, 2021
Whether Weather Was The Reason Why
Reflect upon the series of incidents that amalgamated into a disaster to create the Donner Party saga. A late start, divided leadership, Hastings Cutoff, Reed's banishment, George Donner's injury, Stanton's untimely…
December 30, 2021
Donner Relief Expedition – Introduction
As winter's bluster continues across the Sierra with record snowfall, it seems apropos it occurs on the dawn of the 175th anniversary of the Donner Party rescues. It's as if…
December 29, 2021
Sierra Exif JPEG
Catching the Donner History Bug
1976 was the year that I caught the bug---the Donner History Bug. I started teaching science & math at a San Jose Junior High in 1967, and soon realized that…
January 22, 2021
Forlorn Hope Expedition, the Expedition completed, 12-20-20, photo by Elke Reimer.
Day 5: Team Update-Forlorn Hope Expedition Team arrives at Johnson Ranch site at 3:47 PM
Following are accounts of the day from Bob Crowley, Elke Reimer & Jennifer Hemmen. View more photos on the Expedition Photos page. Bob Crowley-We cannot shape the words to express…
December 20, 2020
Forlorn Hope Expedition, the team jogging through the vineyard, 12-20-20, photo by Keith Sutter.
Day 5: Team Update
Following is an account from Keith Sutter of the morning. You can view more photos on the Expedition Photos page. They had a brisk start with the temperature at 26°.…
December 20, 2020
Forlorn Hope Expedition, the North fork of the American river canyon, 12-19-20, photo by Keith Sutter.
Day 4: Team Update
Following are accounts of Day 4 from Elke Reimer and the team. View more photos on the Expedition Photos page. From Elke Reimer: Day Four of our expedition is done!…
December 20, 2020