The Donner Party

The Donner Party was a group of American pioneers who set out for California in 1846 but became stranded in the Sierra Nevada mountains during a harsh winter. Their journey was delayed by poor planning and difficult terrain. When they reached the mountains, heavy snowfall blocked their path, and they faced extreme shortages of food and supplies. Some members resorted to cannibalism to survive. After months of suffering, rescue efforts finally reached them in early 1847. Their story highlights the dangers of westward expansion and the challenges faced by early settlers.