1 00:00:01,135 --> 00:00:02,101 [josh] there's a whole 'nother chapter 2 00:00:02,103 --> 00:00:03,302 To the donner party story 3 00:00:03,304 --> 00:00:04,703 People have never heard. 4 00:00:05,306 --> 00:00:06,605 [epic music playing] 5 00:00:07,942 --> 00:00:10,009 Charles stanton went snow-blind. 6 00:00:10,011 --> 00:00:12,344 The rescuers would find his bones in the spring. 7 00:00:15,549 --> 00:00:17,416 When they tried to cross the summit, 8 00:00:17,418 --> 00:00:19,251 The storm hit and they were pushed back. 9 00:00:19,319 --> 00:00:22,054 [man 1] everything possibly that could go wrong, went wrong. 10 00:00:22,156 --> 00:00:25,024 This is the spot we believe is "the camp of death." 11 00:00:25,026 --> 00:00:26,759 [josh] this is where the cannibalism happens? 12 00:00:26,827 --> 00:00:28,127 [man 1] this is the spot. 13 00:00:32,833 --> 00:00:34,933 [man 1] he pulled nine children out of that hole 14 00:00:35,002 --> 00:00:37,136 And he put them on his back 15 00:00:37,237 --> 00:00:38,737 It's a story of survival, 16 00:00:38,839 --> 00:00:40,806 The human instinct to survive. 17 00:00:40,808 --> 00:00:43,042 Just imagine, with 30 feet of snow? 18 00:00:43,110 --> 00:00:44,143 Forget it. 19 00:00:44,211 --> 00:00:45,344 Ah, come on! 20 00:00:45,413 --> 00:00:47,312 [shouts] [bleep] [shouts] 21 00:00:50,518 --> 00:00:53,819 [man 2] this is where everyone that wanted to come to california 22 00:00:53,821 --> 00:00:56,188 Had to pass through here, the entire country. 23 00:00:56,190 --> 00:00:57,523 -[josh] are we good? -[man] whoa, whoa, whoa. 24 00:00:57,525 --> 00:01:00,025 -Josh, we got something up here, check this out. -[beeping] 25 00:01:02,730 --> 00:01:03,962 Here... 26 00:01:03,964 --> 00:01:05,664 Oh, my word! Look at that! 27 00:01:06,834 --> 00:01:08,834 If this is what we hope it I 28 00:01:08,903 --> 00:01:10,202 It's historic. 29 00:01:15,943 --> 00:01:17,309 The donner party. 30 00:01:17,311 --> 00:01:18,844 The very name conjures terror 31 00:01:18,913 --> 00:01:21,113 In those who heard their story. 32 00:01:21,115 --> 00:01:23,515 In 1846, more than 80 souls 33 00:01:23,517 --> 00:01:25,050 Men, women and children, 34 00:01:25,052 --> 00:01:26,418 Set out from the midwest 35 00:01:26,420 --> 00:01:28,220 For california's golden shores. 36 00:01:29,423 --> 00:01:32,424 But a disastrous decision to take a shortcut 37 00:01:32,426 --> 00:01:33,459 Leaves the immigrants 38 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:35,727 Hopelessly snowed into the uncharted 39 00:01:35,729 --> 00:01:37,296 Sierra nevada mountains. 40 00:01:37,298 --> 00:01:39,198 And instead of the promised land, 41 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:41,300 The pioneers are led to starvation, 42 00:01:41,302 --> 00:01:43,702 And the most desperate and gruesome of acts. 43 00:01:46,207 --> 00:01:49,041 The tragedy became lurid, national news, 44 00:01:49,143 --> 00:01:50,609 And has been so sensationalized 45 00:01:50,611 --> 00:01:54,413 That today, the donner part is synonymous with one thing 46 00:01:54,415 --> 00:01:57,015 Cannibalism. 47 00:01:57,017 --> 00:02:01,120 But what really happened out there in the western frontier's heart of darkness 48 00:02:01,122 --> 00:02:03,622 In the 175 years since, 49 00:02:03,624 --> 00:02:05,791 A combination of lies and legend 50 00:02:05,793 --> 00:02:09,761 Has buried the truth behind this real american horror story. 51 00:02:09,863 --> 00:02:12,731 Why did the pioneers fatally alter their course? 52 00:02:12,733 --> 00:02:14,766 Why were they unable to band together 53 00:02:14,768 --> 00:02:16,335 And escape the mountains? 54 00:02:16,403 --> 00:02:18,604 And what of the people themselves? 55 00:02:18,606 --> 00:02:19,605 Their heroism 56 00:02:19,607 --> 00:02:21,406 And largely-forgotten rescue effort 57 00:02:21,408 --> 00:02:22,407 Have been buried. 58 00:02:24,311 --> 00:02:25,611 Now, a daring group 59 00:02:25,613 --> 00:02:28,013 Of extreme athletes and historians 60 00:02:28,015 --> 00:02:29,948 Are retracing the settlers' route 61 00:02:30,017 --> 00:02:31,316 In the dead of winter 62 00:02:31,318 --> 00:02:34,119 To unlock the secrets of the donner party. 63 00:02:34,121 --> 00:02:37,222 And they may have uncovered something lost to history. 64 00:02:37,224 --> 00:02:39,825 The so-called "camp of death 65 00:02:39,827 --> 00:02:43,061 Where the first instances of cannibalism occurred. 66 00:02:43,097 --> 00:02:45,731 This discovery would be a major find 67 00:02:45,733 --> 00:02:48,100 And could produce untold artefacts. 68 00:02:48,102 --> 00:02:50,802 My mission is to uncover the real story 69 00:02:50,804 --> 00:02:53,005 Of the doomed donner expedition. 70 00:02:53,007 --> 00:02:54,606 And it will take us many months 71 00:02:54,608 --> 00:02:56,508 And hundreds of miles to do it. 72 00:02:56,510 --> 00:02:58,343 So, prepare to go west, 73 00:02:58,445 --> 00:03:00,712 Into the snow, into the mountains, 74 00:03:00,714 --> 00:03:02,114 And into the gathering storm 75 00:03:02,116 --> 00:03:03,615 Of the most terrifying journey 76 00:03:03,617 --> 00:03:04,950 In american history. 77 00:03:05,853 --> 00:03:07,786 [intro music playing] 78 00:03:07,788 --> 00:03:09,421 My name is josh gates. 79 00:03:09,423 --> 00:03:10,522 -Hello! -[cheering] 80 00:03:11,125 --> 00:03:12,524 Explorer. 81 00:03:12,526 --> 00:03:13,625 Adventurer. 82 00:03:14,061 --> 00:03:15,060 Amazing. 83 00:03:15,129 --> 00:03:15,994 [screams] 84 00:03:15,996 --> 00:03:17,129 ...And a guy who ends up 85 00:03:17,131 --> 00:03:18,764 In some very strange situations. 86 00:03:18,865 --> 00:03:19,698 [bleep] 87 00:03:19,700 --> 00:03:21,333 Whew! That was exciting. 88 00:03:21,402 --> 00:03:22,734 With a degree in archaeology 89 00:03:22,836 --> 00:03:24,336 And a passion for the unexplained... 90 00:03:24,438 --> 00:03:25,470 [exclaiming] 91 00:03:25,472 --> 00:03:27,039 ...I travel to the ends of the earth, 92 00:03:27,041 --> 00:03:29,841 Investigating the greatest legends in history. 93 00:03:29,943 --> 00:03:30,842 Yeah, let's punish him. 94 00:03:31,645 --> 00:03:33,712 This is expedition unkno. 95 00:03:48,329 --> 00:03:50,529 Welcome to the frontier. 96 00:03:50,531 --> 00:03:52,364 You know, it hasn't changed much around here 97 00:03:52,432 --> 00:03:54,700 Since the spring of 1846. 98 00:03:54,702 --> 00:03:57,636 That's when 1,600 men, women and children 99 00:03:57,705 --> 00:03:59,204 Set out to cross the countr 100 00:03:59,206 --> 00:04:02,507 In search of pristine land an untold fortune 101 00:04:02,509 --> 00:04:05,210 In a far-away place known as california. 102 00:04:08,415 --> 00:04:10,649 At this time, a still young america 103 00:04:10,751 --> 00:04:12,684 Is comprised of 28 states. 104 00:04:12,686 --> 00:04:15,654 Beyond is the untamed wilderness of the west. 105 00:04:15,723 --> 00:04:19,124 Leading to the coastal territory of oregon and california, 106 00:04:19,126 --> 00:04:20,726 Then part of mexico. 107 00:04:20,728 --> 00:04:22,527 There's no transcontinental railroad, 108 00:04:22,529 --> 00:04:24,429 No interstate highway system 109 00:04:24,431 --> 00:04:29,601 Settlers face a six-month-lo 2,000-mile journey on foot and by wagon. 110 00:04:31,739 --> 00:04:34,840 To stay ahead of deadly winter snowstorms in the west, 111 00:04:34,941 --> 00:04:37,109 These pioneers must set off in the spring, 112 00:04:37,111 --> 00:04:40,512 Just as soon as there's enough grass to feed their livestock. 113 00:04:40,514 --> 00:04:42,014 One such group includes 114 00:04:42,016 --> 00:04:44,516 The families of james reed and george donner. 115 00:04:44,518 --> 00:04:46,618 But they get off to a late start. 116 00:04:48,956 --> 00:04:51,823 Their group consists of 20 ox-drawn wagons 117 00:04:51,825 --> 00:04:53,525 And 87 people. 118 00:04:53,527 --> 00:04:55,460 The donners, george, a farme 119 00:04:55,529 --> 00:04:57,529 And jacob, a furniture manufacturer, 120 00:04:57,531 --> 00:04:59,531 Are originally from north carolina. 121 00:04:59,533 --> 00:05:01,133 Joining them are other families, 122 00:05:01,234 --> 00:05:03,035 Including those of james ree 123 00:05:03,037 --> 00:05:05,804 An irish businessman most recently from illinois 124 00:05:05,806 --> 00:05:08,106 And william eddy, a carriage maker. 125 00:05:08,108 --> 00:05:10,642 These are not frontier-hardened survivalists. 126 00:05:10,711 --> 00:05:13,712 Nevertheless, on may 12, 184 127 00:05:13,714 --> 00:05:16,348 The party leaves independence, missouri, 128 00:05:16,450 --> 00:05:19,217 With their sights set on california. 129 00:05:19,219 --> 00:05:21,520 The initial leg of the trip across the great plains 130 00:05:21,522 --> 00:05:22,854 Goes smoothly enough. 131 00:05:22,956 --> 00:05:26,158 But the train gradually fall further behind schedule. 132 00:05:26,193 --> 00:05:27,392 Up ahead, however, 133 00:05:27,394 --> 00:05:30,162 There may be a way to make up their lost time. 134 00:05:30,230 --> 00:05:32,631 The party, like most of the people moving west, 135 00:05:32,633 --> 00:05:33,932 Are carrying this. 136 00:05:33,934 --> 00:05:36,802 "the emigrants' guide to oregon and california." 137 00:05:36,804 --> 00:05:39,771 A how-to pamphlet written by a real estate investor 138 00:05:39,773 --> 00:05:41,406 Named lansford hastings. 139 00:05:41,408 --> 00:05:43,542 The guide was his way to lead people 140 00:05:43,643 --> 00:05:45,944 To work plots of land in california, 141 00:05:45,946 --> 00:05:48,313 Where he conveniently has interests. 142 00:05:49,149 --> 00:05:50,816 In other words, he's a hustler. 143 00:05:50,818 --> 00:05:52,517 And he's devised a shortcut 144 00:05:52,519 --> 00:05:55,153 Known as 'the hastings cutoff'. 145 00:05:55,255 --> 00:05:58,423 It's designed to trim 300 miles from the journey 146 00:05:58,425 --> 00:06:00,625 By forging across the great salt lake 147 00:06:00,627 --> 00:06:03,428 Before rejoining the california trail. 148 00:06:03,430 --> 00:06:04,863 There's just one problem. 149 00:06:04,932 --> 00:06:06,598 Prior to 1846, 150 00:06:06,600 --> 00:06:09,234 Hastings had never actually tested the route. 151 00:06:10,003 --> 00:06:11,603 And that brings us here, 152 00:06:11,605 --> 00:06:13,638 Near the little sandy river in wyoming. 153 00:06:13,707 --> 00:06:15,107 In this very spot, 154 00:06:15,109 --> 00:06:17,743 The lagging group is forced to make a choice. 155 00:06:17,844 --> 00:06:19,210 If they stay to the right, 156 00:06:19,213 --> 00:06:22,314 They maintain their course on the well-trod california trail, 157 00:06:22,316 --> 00:06:24,716 The chosen path of every other group. 158 00:06:24,718 --> 00:06:26,952 But if they bear left, 159 00:06:27,053 --> 00:06:28,887 They veer towards the hastings cutoff, 160 00:06:28,889 --> 00:06:30,622 Which could get them back on schedule. 161 00:06:31,125 --> 00:06:32,157 What to do? 162 00:06:33,927 --> 00:06:35,160 In need of a party leader, 163 00:06:35,229 --> 00:06:36,795 They elect george donner, 164 00:06:36,797 --> 00:06:40,432 Who by all accounts is the exact wrong man for the job. 165 00:06:40,534 --> 00:06:42,200 Professional, soft-spoken, 166 00:06:42,202 --> 00:06:43,802 Gentle and charitable. 167 00:06:43,804 --> 00:06:46,405 Not exactly someone familia with making choices 168 00:06:46,407 --> 00:06:47,939 Of life or death. 169 00:06:53,147 --> 00:06:54,746 The donner party steps left 170 00:06:54,815 --> 00:06:56,815 And chooses the hastings cutoff. 171 00:06:56,817 --> 00:06:58,049 And while they don't yet know it, 172 00:06:58,151 --> 00:06:59,418 This one decision 173 00:06:59,420 --> 00:07:01,787 Will alter not just the course of their journey, 174 00:07:01,789 --> 00:07:03,054 But their very lives, 175 00:07:03,056 --> 00:07:05,824 As they walk on toward a horrifying destiny. 176 00:07:13,500 --> 00:07:16,401 The supposed shortcut takes them through what is now utah. 177 00:07:16,403 --> 00:07:18,603 It does not go well. 178 00:07:18,605 --> 00:07:22,507 Crossing 80 miles of desert takes six grueling days. 179 00:07:22,509 --> 00:07:25,043 The wagon wheels sink into the hot, salt flats 180 00:07:25,045 --> 00:07:26,344 Like warm butter. 181 00:07:26,447 --> 00:07:29,114 Three days in, their water is gone. 182 00:07:29,116 --> 00:07:32,551 36 oxen die and several of the crippled wagons 183 00:07:32,619 --> 00:07:33,652 Have to be abandoned. 184 00:07:37,925 --> 00:07:39,624 Whatever unity the party ha 185 00:07:39,626 --> 00:07:41,960 Evaporates in the scorching sun. 186 00:07:42,028 --> 00:07:44,129 Families turn against each other. 187 00:07:44,131 --> 00:07:46,932 In fact, james reed gets into a heated argument 188 00:07:46,934 --> 00:07:49,734 That ends with him stabbing another man to death. 189 00:07:51,038 --> 00:07:52,304 But on October 20th, 190 00:07:52,306 --> 00:07:54,105 The lead wagons of the donner party 191 00:07:54,107 --> 00:07:57,609 Reach the eastern slope of the sierra nevada mountains 192 00:07:57,611 --> 00:07:59,110 The desert is behind them, 193 00:07:59,112 --> 00:08:00,645 But winter lies ahead. 194 00:08:02,816 --> 00:08:05,817 The forge on into an unseasonably early snow, 195 00:08:05,819 --> 00:08:08,453 Ascending to 7,000 vertical feet, 196 00:08:08,522 --> 00:08:12,424 To a high pass that acts as a doorway to california, 197 00:08:12,426 --> 00:08:15,093 To a place known as truckee lake, 198 00:08:15,095 --> 00:08:17,429 Where they can rest before the final push. 199 00:08:22,436 --> 00:08:24,436 Welcome to truckee, california. 200 00:08:24,505 --> 00:08:26,037 When the donner party came through here, 201 00:08:26,106 --> 00:08:27,806 There was nothing but wilderness. 202 00:08:27,908 --> 00:08:30,408 Later, this became a frontier trading post. 203 00:08:30,410 --> 00:08:32,310 And from the central pacific railroad 204 00:08:32,312 --> 00:08:33,745 To historic saloons, 205 00:08:33,847 --> 00:08:36,147 Echoes of the old west are everywhere. 206 00:08:37,050 --> 00:08:38,517 This place was once infamous 207 00:08:38,519 --> 00:08:39,918 For its extreme weather. 208 00:08:39,920 --> 00:08:42,721 Today, it's celebrated for its extreme sports. 209 00:08:44,324 --> 00:08:46,758 Truckee is the snowiest town in the us, 210 00:08:46,827 --> 00:08:49,761 Getting an average of 168 inches a year. 211 00:08:49,863 --> 00:08:52,664 Athletes flock here to ski and snowboard. 212 00:08:52,766 --> 00:08:54,599 As for me, I'm more into biking. 213 00:08:57,004 --> 00:08:58,203 [engine roaring] 214 00:09:00,040 --> 00:09:01,206 Woo-hoo! 215 00:09:01,208 --> 00:09:02,307 [whooping] 216 00:09:05,012 --> 00:09:07,913 I am riding what's known as a snow bike. 217 00:09:08,916 --> 00:09:11,950 Basically, if a snowmobile and a motorcycle 218 00:09:11,952 --> 00:09:14,219 Got real drunk one night and made a baby, 219 00:09:14,221 --> 00:09:15,120 This would be it. 220 00:09:16,924 --> 00:09:19,124 It's fast, it's maneuverable, 221 00:09:19,760 --> 00:09:21,226 It's sketchy. 222 00:09:21,228 --> 00:09:23,929 Which is to say, it's fun. 223 00:09:25,132 --> 00:09:27,098 I'm on this ridiculous contraption to reach 224 00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:28,533 An expert on the donner part 225 00:09:28,535 --> 00:09:32,203 At one of the most hallowed places in the sierras. 226 00:09:32,205 --> 00:09:34,940 That is, if I can stay vertical long enough to get there. 227 00:09:36,209 --> 00:09:37,309 Here goes nothing. 228 00:09:41,148 --> 00:09:42,180 [shouts excitedly] 229 00:09:43,317 --> 00:09:46,318 The key to not falling is to just keep moving. 230 00:09:46,320 --> 00:09:49,054 Which is... Easier said than done. 231 00:09:50,424 --> 00:09:52,123 Watch out. [grunts] 232 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:54,759 Ah, come on! 233 00:09:54,861 --> 00:09:56,127 [shouts] [bleep] [shouts] 234 00:10:03,503 --> 00:10:04,936 Ah, come on! 235 00:10:04,938 --> 00:10:06,404 [shouts] [bleep] [shouts] 236 00:10:08,208 --> 00:10:09,641 [sputters, groans] 237 00:10:10,210 --> 00:10:11,142 Ow. 238 00:10:11,945 --> 00:10:13,044 [sighs] 239 00:10:13,146 --> 00:10:14,646 Okay... 240 00:10:14,714 --> 00:10:18,283 I think my bones broke the fall, which is good. 241 00:10:18,285 --> 00:10:19,417 I've had a slight hiccup 242 00:10:19,419 --> 00:10:21,052 On my search to learn the truth 243 00:10:21,154 --> 00:10:23,021 About the infamous donner party. 244 00:10:23,156 --> 00:10:25,056 But I'm not lying down on the job for long. 245 00:10:25,425 --> 00:10:26,358 [grunting] 246 00:10:26,459 --> 00:10:27,626 All right, back to it. Here we go. 247 00:10:29,730 --> 00:10:30,762 [snow bike roaring] 248 00:10:33,934 --> 00:10:35,200 I'm heading to a place 249 00:10:35,202 --> 00:10:37,502 That used to be called truckee lake. 250 00:10:37,504 --> 00:10:40,205 These days, it's known as donner lake, 251 00:10:40,207 --> 00:10:42,207 And there's a reason for that. 252 00:10:42,209 --> 00:10:44,909 This is where the donner party camped 253 00:10:44,911 --> 00:10:47,512 And ultimately became trappe 254 00:11:00,027 --> 00:11:02,327 After taking their disastrous shortcut, 255 00:11:02,329 --> 00:11:04,062 The donner party eventually 256 00:11:04,064 --> 00:11:06,965 Rejoins the main route to california. 257 00:11:07,033 --> 00:11:09,801 But they've lost their most precious resource... 258 00:11:09,803 --> 00:11:10,802 Time. 259 00:11:10,804 --> 00:11:12,404 When they get here, in the sierra nevadas, 260 00:11:12,406 --> 00:11:15,040 They are nearly a month behind schedule. 261 00:11:15,108 --> 00:11:18,043 Every other pioneering family headed to the west coast 262 00:11:18,144 --> 00:11:19,511 Has already come and gone. 263 00:11:19,513 --> 00:11:21,613 The donner party attempts to follow them, 264 00:11:21,615 --> 00:11:22,614 High into the mountains, 265 00:11:22,616 --> 00:11:24,516 But a massive snow storm 266 00:11:25,152 --> 00:11:26,418 In their tracks. 267 00:11:28,388 --> 00:11:30,455 To discover more about what happened here, 268 00:11:30,557 --> 00:11:32,490 I'm meeting historian frank mullen 269 00:11:32,492 --> 00:11:34,726 At a memorial plaque to the donner party 270 00:11:34,728 --> 00:11:36,161 -Josh. -How are you, man? 271 00:11:36,262 --> 00:11:38,496 -Good. Nice to meet you. -Hey, nice to meet you, too. 272 00:11:38,498 --> 00:11:39,697 [josh] frank is a journalis 273 00:11:39,699 --> 00:11:42,033 And the author of the donner party chronicles 274 00:11:42,035 --> 00:11:45,704 He has spent 30 years studyi what happened here. 275 00:11:45,706 --> 00:11:47,939 They've got to get through this pass at the end of the lake. 276 00:11:48,041 --> 00:11:50,241 Right? What's today known as donner pass. 277 00:11:50,310 --> 00:11:53,311 Right. They made it within a few miles of the summit, 278 00:11:53,313 --> 00:11:56,781 But then a storm hit and they were pushed back here to the lake. 279 00:11:56,783 --> 00:11:58,349 If it had been another year, 280 00:11:58,451 --> 00:12:00,018 Even if they had been as late as they were, 281 00:12:00,020 --> 00:12:01,419 They might have been able to do it. 282 00:12:01,421 --> 00:12:03,555 They just happened to do this in a year 283 00:12:03,656 --> 00:12:06,057 -Where the weather was really lousy. -And early. 284 00:12:08,361 --> 00:12:11,262 [josh] the winter of 1846 in the sierras was beset 285 00:12:11,364 --> 00:12:13,665 By a series of hundred-year storms 286 00:12:13,733 --> 00:12:16,000 That rolled in one after another, 287 00:12:16,002 --> 00:12:18,903 Dropping over 10 feet of sno by mid-November 288 00:12:18,905 --> 00:12:21,306 And another five feet by December 1st. 289 00:12:22,409 --> 00:12:24,509 They're not really a unified group anymore, right? 290 00:12:24,511 --> 00:12:28,313 That's right. By the time the donner party members reached donner lake, 291 00:12:28,315 --> 00:12:29,814 They are not talking to each other. 292 00:12:31,118 --> 00:12:33,017 [josh] bitter and frustrate by their condition, 293 00:12:33,019 --> 00:12:35,320 The emigrants break off into different camps, 294 00:12:35,322 --> 00:12:36,955 Most near the lake. 295 00:12:36,957 --> 00:12:40,325 The two donner families mak camps six miles away 296 00:12:40,327 --> 00:12:42,961 In a sheltered nook along alder creek. 297 00:12:43,029 --> 00:12:44,162 What's left? What are they eating? 298 00:12:44,231 --> 00:12:45,230 Are they hunting? 299 00:12:45,232 --> 00:12:46,297 There was no hunting here. 300 00:12:46,299 --> 00:12:48,500 William eddy had gotten his rifle. 301 00:12:48,502 --> 00:12:50,001 He shot an owl. He shot a squirrel. 302 00:12:50,003 --> 00:12:51,302 Shot a fox. 303 00:12:51,304 --> 00:12:53,104 Killed a bear finally. 304 00:12:53,106 --> 00:12:56,608 But that didn't last all that long with given the amount of people. 305 00:12:56,610 --> 00:12:58,810 When anyone mentions the donner party, 306 00:12:58,812 --> 00:13:00,145 Within a breath, 307 00:13:00,246 --> 00:13:01,613 -They say... -[both] cannibalism. 308 00:13:01,615 --> 00:13:02,580 -[josh] right? -Right. 309 00:13:02,582 --> 00:13:04,349 I mean, this is forever linked. 310 00:13:04,417 --> 00:13:05,416 [frank] yes, they are. 311 00:13:05,418 --> 00:13:07,819 We are repelled and also attracted 312 00:13:07,821 --> 00:13:09,154 Like a dracula movie. 313 00:13:09,222 --> 00:13:10,355 What really shocked me 314 00:13:10,423 --> 00:13:12,056 In doing research about this story 315 00:13:12,058 --> 00:13:14,192 Is that this whole ordeal 316 00:13:14,194 --> 00:13:16,961 That unfolds up here at the lake for months on end... 317 00:13:16,963 --> 00:13:18,663 -[frank] mmm-hmm. -...There is no cannibalism. 318 00:13:18,765 --> 00:13:20,465 -Not initially, right? -Right. Not initially, no. 319 00:13:20,533 --> 00:13:22,033 They are doing everything they can 320 00:13:22,035 --> 00:13:23,735 -To avoid cannibalism. -[frank] yes, they are. 321 00:13:23,837 --> 00:13:25,804 They started scraping the bottoms of the barrels. 322 00:13:25,806 --> 00:13:30,108 They started boiling the leather covers of books and their moccasins 323 00:13:30,110 --> 00:13:31,543 To soften them up to try to eat them. 324 00:13:31,611 --> 00:13:34,212 -To literally eat their shoes. -[frank] and their shoelaces. 325 00:13:34,214 --> 00:13:37,215 -Sort of fry them like potato sticks. -[josh] wow. 326 00:13:37,217 --> 00:13:38,716 We have a donner party plaque here 327 00:13:38,718 --> 00:13:41,152 With a list of those who perished 328 00:13:41,221 --> 00:13:42,320 And those who survived. 329 00:13:42,322 --> 00:13:44,122 Why is this plaque right here? 330 00:13:44,124 --> 00:13:45,757 [frank] this is the fourth wall 331 00:13:45,859 --> 00:13:48,960 Of one of the cabins of the donner party 332 00:13:48,962 --> 00:13:52,463 Who were here during the terrible winter of 1846-1847. 333 00:13:52,565 --> 00:13:54,399 -Right here? -Right here was one of the cabins, yes. 334 00:13:54,401 --> 00:13:56,701 How many people were living in this cabin? 335 00:13:56,703 --> 00:13:58,636 Sixteen people living in this cabin, 336 00:13:58,705 --> 00:14:00,438 Most of them children. 337 00:14:00,540 --> 00:14:02,507 And did any of them die here? 338 00:14:02,509 --> 00:14:04,409 Seven of them died in this cabin. 339 00:14:05,712 --> 00:14:06,844 [josh] right where we're standing. 340 00:14:06,846 --> 00:14:08,813 So, this is hallowed ground in a sense. 341 00:14:08,815 --> 00:14:10,448 This is the exact spot 342 00:14:10,550 --> 00:14:13,251 Where people suffered for months, where people died, 343 00:14:13,353 --> 00:14:15,153 -Where babies died. -Yeah. 344 00:14:17,324 --> 00:14:20,091 So, when does the cannibalism begin? 345 00:14:20,093 --> 00:14:21,659 Where does it start? 346 00:14:21,728 --> 00:14:25,430 The cannibalism begins with the escape group called the forlorn hope. 347 00:14:27,500 --> 00:14:29,934 [josh] six weeks after becoming trapped at truckee lake, 348 00:14:30,036 --> 00:14:32,503 A small group of some of the strongest emigrants 349 00:14:32,505 --> 00:14:34,405 Strap on homemade snow shoe 350 00:14:34,407 --> 00:14:37,308 And set out in a last-ditch effort to find help. 351 00:14:37,310 --> 00:14:39,310 The escape group, as frank calls them, 352 00:14:39,312 --> 00:14:41,913 Came to be known as the forlorn hope. 353 00:14:41,915 --> 00:14:44,048 Why aren't the donner brothers part of this group? 354 00:14:44,117 --> 00:14:47,418 George donner is suffering from gangrene. 355 00:14:47,420 --> 00:14:50,221 Injured his left hand fixing his wagon 356 00:14:50,223 --> 00:14:51,956 On the way up prior to the lake 357 00:14:52,058 --> 00:14:54,158 And jacob donner has given up. 358 00:14:54,227 --> 00:14:55,727 He's in bed and he's not getting up. 359 00:14:55,729 --> 00:14:57,829 And nobody can tell him otherwise. 360 00:14:57,831 --> 00:14:59,330 So, what happens to them? 361 00:14:59,332 --> 00:15:00,765 First couple days they went out, 362 00:15:00,833 --> 00:15:02,400 They got to the base of the pass 363 00:15:02,402 --> 00:15:03,768 And then up and over it 364 00:15:03,770 --> 00:15:06,704 And then they were socked I after they lost their guide 365 00:15:06,706 --> 00:15:09,540 Charles stanton went snow-blind 366 00:15:09,609 --> 00:15:10,942 And he stumbled into camp. 367 00:15:10,944 --> 00:15:13,011 And the next morning when they were leaving, 368 00:15:13,013 --> 00:15:14,345 He was sitting on a stump. 369 00:15:14,414 --> 00:15:16,347 Mary graves said, "are you coming, mr. Stanton?" 370 00:15:16,416 --> 00:15:18,950 And his eyes were pretty much swollen shut 371 00:15:19,052 --> 00:15:20,852 And he was smoking his pipe on the log 372 00:15:20,921 --> 00:15:22,754 And he said, "I'll be along presently, mary." 373 00:15:22,822 --> 00:15:24,722 And they went ahead. He never showed up. 374 00:15:24,724 --> 00:15:27,358 The rescuers would find his bones in the spring. 375 00:15:27,460 --> 00:15:29,127 [josh] without stanton to guide them, 376 00:15:29,129 --> 00:15:31,729 The group becomes hopelessly lost. 377 00:15:31,731 --> 00:15:33,364 Their meager food runs out 378 00:15:33,433 --> 00:15:35,733 And a blizzard catches them in the open. 379 00:15:35,835 --> 00:15:39,337 They're pinned down in a makeshift for five days. 380 00:15:39,439 --> 00:15:41,205 When the storm finally passe 381 00:15:41,207 --> 00:15:43,207 Two other men are dead. 382 00:15:43,209 --> 00:15:44,542 Facing certain death, 383 00:15:44,644 --> 00:15:48,246 The survivors tearfully reso to the ultimate taboo... 384 00:15:48,315 --> 00:15:49,447 Cannibalism. 385 00:15:50,517 --> 00:15:53,217 So many people say immediately, 386 00:15:53,219 --> 00:15:54,352 "how could they have done that? 387 00:15:54,420 --> 00:15:55,720 I would never have done that. 388 00:15:55,722 --> 00:15:58,222 I could never engage in cannibalism." 389 00:15:58,224 --> 00:16:00,024 But in some ways, it's easy to say that 390 00:16:00,026 --> 00:16:01,426 Not having been here. 391 00:16:01,428 --> 00:16:02,994 Right. It's very easy to say that 392 00:16:02,996 --> 00:16:06,798 When you're not in a position of choosing between death 393 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:09,600 Or eating the food that is forbidden food, 394 00:16:09,602 --> 00:16:11,135 But it's right in front of you. 395 00:16:12,906 --> 00:16:15,139 [josh] the place where it happened has never been found. 396 00:16:15,241 --> 00:16:17,542 A spot known as the camp of death. 397 00:16:17,643 --> 00:16:20,211 And for many people who hav heard about the donner party 398 00:16:20,213 --> 00:16:22,914 This is kind of the end of the story as they know it 399 00:16:22,916 --> 00:16:26,784 A tale of disaster and cannibalism. 400 00:16:26,786 --> 00:16:29,721 The terrible choice that the settlers made at the camp of death 401 00:16:29,723 --> 00:16:32,256 Gave them enough strength to push forward 402 00:16:32,325 --> 00:16:36,227 And helped ensure that some of the so-called escape part 403 00:16:36,229 --> 00:16:37,962 Managed to do just that. 404 00:16:38,064 --> 00:16:39,964 And of those 15 people 405 00:16:40,033 --> 00:16:42,400 That set out in the forlorn hope party, 406 00:16:42,402 --> 00:16:45,803 How many of them ultimately survived and walked to safety? 407 00:16:45,805 --> 00:16:47,438 Of the 15 snowshoers, 408 00:16:47,540 --> 00:16:50,742 All five women and just two of the 10 men survived 409 00:16:50,843 --> 00:16:53,211 The 33-day trip out of the sierras. 410 00:16:53,213 --> 00:16:54,946 Right. 411 00:16:55,015 --> 00:16:56,347 [josh] these survivors made their way 412 00:16:56,449 --> 00:16:58,249 Down the western slopes of the mountains 413 00:16:58,351 --> 00:17:00,618 To find something they had nearly given up on. 414 00:17:00,620 --> 00:17:01,919 Rescue. 415 00:17:01,921 --> 00:17:04,022 And for years historians wondered 416 00:17:04,024 --> 00:17:05,423 Exactly where it happened. 417 00:17:10,463 --> 00:17:13,664 I leave frank and the snow behind and drive west 418 00:17:13,700 --> 00:17:16,534 Descending more than 6,000 feet in elevatio 419 00:17:16,636 --> 00:17:18,136 To follow the pioneers' trai 420 00:17:18,237 --> 00:17:20,805 In hopes of discovering where it leads. 421 00:17:21,708 --> 00:17:23,408 The 15 members of the donner party 422 00:17:23,410 --> 00:17:25,009 Known as the forlorn hope 423 00:17:25,011 --> 00:17:27,111 Who tried to escape out of the mountains, 424 00:17:27,113 --> 00:17:28,713 Figured it would take about a week 425 00:17:28,715 --> 00:17:30,048 For them to find rescue. 426 00:17:30,050 --> 00:17:32,784 33 days later, only seven of them 427 00:17:32,786 --> 00:17:35,953 Managed to limp into the first outpost of civilization 428 00:17:36,022 --> 00:17:37,722 Known as johnson ranch. 429 00:17:37,724 --> 00:17:40,324 It's an incredibly important part of this story 430 00:17:40,326 --> 00:17:44,062 And yet for years its very location was lost to history. 431 00:17:44,064 --> 00:17:46,798 For as famous a story as the donner party, 432 00:17:46,800 --> 00:17:48,933 Nearly no archaeological evidence 433 00:17:49,001 --> 00:17:51,135 Of their harrowing journey has been found. 434 00:17:51,204 --> 00:17:53,037 Johnson ranch could change that 435 00:17:53,106 --> 00:17:56,607 Since it's one of the only places we know they set foot. 436 00:17:58,711 --> 00:18:00,812 And since this is an extreme story, 437 00:18:00,814 --> 00:18:03,214 It requires extreme researchers. 438 00:18:03,216 --> 00:18:04,549 If there's anyone who might know 439 00:18:04,650 --> 00:18:06,117 Exactly where the ranch was 440 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:08,619 It's bob crowley and tim twietmeyer. 441 00:18:08,621 --> 00:18:11,155 The two of you are, I say this as a compliment, 442 00:18:11,224 --> 00:18:12,457 Oddities. 443 00:18:12,558 --> 00:18:15,626 You are historians and you are ultramarathoners. 444 00:18:15,628 --> 00:18:16,894 They don't make a lot of those. 445 00:18:16,896 --> 00:18:18,362 Can you brag on tim's behalf? 446 00:18:18,364 --> 00:18:22,400 Yeah, so one of the most famous ultramarathons here in america 447 00:18:22,402 --> 00:18:25,036 Is the western states 100-mile endurance run. 448 00:18:25,105 --> 00:18:26,204 A hundred-mile run. 449 00:18:26,206 --> 00:18:30,908 Tim is the 25-time under-24-hour finisher, 450 00:18:30,910 --> 00:18:32,643 Five-time winner. 451 00:18:32,712 --> 00:18:35,913 If there is a michael jorda of our sport, 452 00:18:35,915 --> 00:18:37,415 That's the guy right there. 453 00:18:37,417 --> 00:18:38,949 [josh] that's incredible. 454 00:18:38,951 --> 00:18:41,519 Is this sport what led you to your interest in the donner party 455 00:18:41,521 --> 00:18:42,954 -As historians? -It is. 456 00:18:42,956 --> 00:18:45,123 When you need to do field research, 457 00:18:45,125 --> 00:18:46,691 When you wanna check a route, 458 00:18:46,693 --> 00:18:48,960 We can go into places on foot 459 00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:51,929 That most people wouldn't wanna go or can't go. 460 00:18:51,931 --> 00:18:55,399 [josh] these two have been obsessively researching donner party history 461 00:18:55,401 --> 00:18:57,902 Culminating in December of 2020 462 00:18:57,904 --> 00:19:00,838 When they used their skills and historical knowledge 463 00:19:00,907 --> 00:19:02,740 To undertake a week-long tre 464 00:19:02,842 --> 00:19:05,710 In deep snow and subzero temperatures 465 00:19:05,712 --> 00:19:09,247 Along the route they believ was taken by forlorn hope. 466 00:19:09,315 --> 00:19:11,616 A route they think lead here 467 00:19:13,153 --> 00:19:16,254 And the first person to make it here from the donner group 468 00:19:16,355 --> 00:19:18,189 Is william eddy, right? 469 00:19:18,191 --> 00:19:19,957 [tim] they only one to make it here. 470 00:19:19,959 --> 00:19:23,027 [josh] eddy actually was found a short distance from the ranch 471 00:19:23,029 --> 00:19:25,863 By native americans who brought him the rest of the way 472 00:19:25,965 --> 00:19:27,865 To the adobe ranch house. 473 00:19:27,934 --> 00:19:30,801 [bob] and the young gal ther 16 years old, 474 00:19:30,803 --> 00:19:32,103 Greeted them at the door. 475 00:19:32,105 --> 00:19:33,704 This shadow of a man. 476 00:19:33,706 --> 00:19:35,206 And she cried. She wept. 477 00:19:35,208 --> 00:19:37,241 She was scared. Looked like a ghost. 478 00:19:37,310 --> 00:19:39,110 [josh] the other survivors of forlorn hope 479 00:19:39,112 --> 00:19:42,246 Were quickly found and broug back to the ranch. 480 00:19:42,348 --> 00:19:43,514 If bob and tim are right 481 00:19:43,516 --> 00:19:45,650 And this is that long-lost site, 482 00:19:45,718 --> 00:19:47,685 It would be nothing short of historic. 483 00:19:47,687 --> 00:19:51,355 This story, the forlorn hope story and johnson ranch, 484 00:19:51,457 --> 00:19:54,025 Are pristine in terms of the opportunity 485 00:19:54,027 --> 00:19:55,993 For both discovering the story 486 00:19:55,995 --> 00:19:57,428 But also artifacts. 487 00:19:57,430 --> 00:19:58,963 All right. Should we see what's under our feet? 488 00:19:59,065 --> 00:20:00,198 Yeah, let's go see what we can find. 489 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:01,599 I got someone I need you to meet. 490 00:20:01,601 --> 00:20:03,434 [josh] okay. Please, lead on. Let's go. 491 00:20:05,538 --> 00:20:06,804 For the past few years, 492 00:20:06,806 --> 00:20:09,340 Bob and tim have been workin with a local historian 493 00:20:09,442 --> 00:20:12,710 Who has managed to secure rare access to search this land. 494 00:20:12,712 --> 00:20:14,612 They bring me to meet bill holmes. 495 00:20:14,614 --> 00:20:16,214 -Bill, how are you? -Great. How are you? 496 00:20:16,216 --> 00:20:17,448 [josh] nice to meet you. 497 00:20:17,450 --> 00:20:19,517 -Uh, I see metal detectors and I see shovels. -Right. 498 00:20:19,519 --> 00:20:21,018 -[josh] good sign. -It is. 499 00:20:21,020 --> 00:20:22,520 You know, we look around here today. 500 00:20:22,522 --> 00:20:24,255 We see rolling fields. 501 00:20:24,324 --> 00:20:25,957 So, where do we start swinging these metal detectors? 502 00:20:25,959 --> 00:20:28,392 I have a great place for you to go. 503 00:20:28,394 --> 00:20:31,629 [josh] bill reveals the results of an aerial lidar survey 504 00:20:31,631 --> 00:20:33,998 Which has turned up what historians believe 505 00:20:34,000 --> 00:20:37,602 May be the foundation of the original johnson adob 506 00:20:37,604 --> 00:20:41,105 The mud structure where all the survivors were brought. 507 00:20:41,107 --> 00:20:43,641 If so, it would be one of the only locations 508 00:20:43,743 --> 00:20:45,676 In the entire donner party story 509 00:20:45,745 --> 00:20:47,945 To have been geographically pinpointed. 510 00:20:48,715 --> 00:20:50,514 -This is it. -This is it. 511 00:20:50,516 --> 00:20:52,350 -Okay. -Shows up great on lidar. 512 00:20:52,451 --> 00:20:54,318 Right. So, you can see though 513 00:20:54,320 --> 00:20:57,221 There is clearly a rise. 514 00:20:57,223 --> 00:20:59,357 There is a feature here that goes back here 515 00:20:59,425 --> 00:21:00,791 And then does it turn? 516 00:21:00,793 --> 00:21:02,592 -[bill] yeah. -[josh] let's see what's in here. 517 00:21:04,831 --> 00:21:08,432 We start metal detecting in and around the footprint of the anomaly... 518 00:21:12,205 --> 00:21:13,671 -[metal detector beeps] -right here. 519 00:21:13,673 --> 00:21:14,839 [metal detector sounding] 520 00:21:14,907 --> 00:21:16,340 ...And are quickly rewarded 521 00:21:16,442 --> 00:21:18,309 Right in here it looks like. 522 00:21:18,311 --> 00:21:19,710 [josh] boy, that's tough ground. 523 00:21:19,712 --> 00:21:22,313 This dried clay is hard to cut into, 524 00:21:22,315 --> 00:21:24,649 So we're doing more scrapin than digging. 525 00:21:28,254 --> 00:21:30,921 But in no time, the hard work pays off. 526 00:21:30,923 --> 00:21:33,057 [bill] all right. Looks like we got a half of a horseshoe. 527 00:21:33,059 --> 00:21:34,058 [josh] look at that! 528 00:21:35,528 --> 00:21:36,927 That is awesome. 529 00:21:36,929 --> 00:21:38,095 Horse or a mule? Look at that. 530 00:21:39,065 --> 00:21:42,700 Yeah, look how worn down the back of that shoe is. 531 00:21:42,702 --> 00:21:45,102 -[josh] look at that. -[bill] that's 2,000 miles on that baby. 532 00:21:45,104 --> 00:21:46,771 That's right. How about that? 533 00:21:46,773 --> 00:21:49,707 Think about where this went. 534 00:21:49,709 --> 00:21:51,809 And it's still lucky if it's only half a horseshoe, right? 535 00:21:51,811 --> 00:21:53,844 -[tim] let's see if we can find the other half. -Exactly. 536 00:21:53,946 --> 00:21:57,715 [metal detector beeping] 537 00:21:57,717 --> 00:22:00,217 [josh] it turns out our half a horseshoe is luck 538 00:22:00,219 --> 00:22:02,753 At least our metal detectors seem to think so. 539 00:22:02,789 --> 00:22:04,522 [metal detector beeping] 540 00:22:04,524 --> 00:22:07,291 -[bob] hey, guys. Guys! -[josh] what do you got? 541 00:22:07,293 --> 00:22:09,427 [bob] whoa, whoa! Josh, we got something up here. 542 00:22:09,429 --> 00:22:10,528 Check this out. 543 00:22:12,065 --> 00:22:13,431 [josh] huge piece! Look at this. 544 00:22:18,738 --> 00:22:21,138 -[bob] hey, guys. Guys! -[josh] what do you got? 545 00:22:21,207 --> 00:22:23,307 [bob] whoa, whoa! Josh, we got something up here. 546 00:22:23,309 --> 00:22:25,142 -Check this out. -[josh] whoa! 547 00:22:25,211 --> 00:22:26,944 Huge piece! Look at this. 548 00:22:26,946 --> 00:22:28,012 Wow. 549 00:22:30,016 --> 00:22:31,048 [josh] looks like the edge of a plate. 550 00:22:31,050 --> 00:22:32,717 I'm with a team of researche 551 00:22:32,719 --> 00:22:35,319 Looking for the lost ruins of johnson ranch, 552 00:22:35,321 --> 00:22:36,954 A pioneer-era homestead 553 00:22:37,056 --> 00:22:40,057 Reached by the survivors of the doomed donner party. 554 00:22:43,129 --> 00:22:44,362 Here. 555 00:22:47,166 --> 00:22:48,499 [josh] wow, look at that. 556 00:22:48,501 --> 00:22:50,501 That's incredible. 557 00:22:50,503 --> 00:22:51,602 Flat head nail and then 558 00:22:51,604 --> 00:22:53,204 This very cool piece of pottery. 559 00:22:53,206 --> 00:22:55,406 We can see the edge of a pattern there, too. 560 00:22:55,408 --> 00:22:56,974 We dig around the pottery 561 00:22:56,976 --> 00:22:58,709 And quickly find more fragments. 562 00:22:58,711 --> 00:23:00,745 -And more pottery. Look at this. -Oh, there's some more. 563 00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:02,713 -See, that's actually more... -Look at that. 564 00:23:02,715 --> 00:23:05,716 Wow, there is just pottery everywhere you look here. 565 00:23:06,953 --> 00:23:08,419 That's the edge of a plate right there. 566 00:23:08,421 --> 00:23:09,720 -[bill] it sure looks like it. -[josh] yeah. 567 00:23:09,722 --> 00:23:12,423 So, this adobe was in use between what years primarily? 568 00:23:12,425 --> 00:23:15,426 1844 to 1854 roughly. 569 00:23:15,428 --> 00:23:17,061 -[josh] so, just that 10-year period. -Yeah. 570 00:23:17,129 --> 00:23:19,230 If this was something that was used here in the adobe, 571 00:23:19,232 --> 00:23:21,365 We're right in that time period. 572 00:23:21,401 --> 00:23:23,401 The lidar scan, research 573 00:23:23,403 --> 00:23:27,037 And physical artifacts in this field are all but conclusive. 574 00:23:27,139 --> 00:23:29,140 We are in the middle of history here. 575 00:23:29,241 --> 00:23:31,008 This is johnson ranch. 576 00:23:31,010 --> 00:23:34,311 Every single one of the forlorn hope survivors, all seven, 577 00:23:34,313 --> 00:23:36,147 They slept here. 578 00:23:36,215 --> 00:23:37,681 -Slept where we're standing? -[bill] yeah. 579 00:23:37,683 --> 00:23:40,718 They were all reunited after being saved. 580 00:23:40,720 --> 00:23:42,319 This is the place they were reunited. 581 00:23:42,321 --> 00:23:44,555 This is one of those parts of the story 582 00:23:44,624 --> 00:23:48,125 That is kind of lost to time. It really is. 583 00:23:48,127 --> 00:23:50,060 -[bob] until now. -Until now. 584 00:23:52,131 --> 00:23:55,499 [josh] it's humbling enough to stand in the footsteps of the donner party. 585 00:23:55,501 --> 00:23:59,103 But then I remember this is where their rescuer stood as well. 586 00:24:00,006 --> 00:24:01,605 Let's talk about the relief parties. 587 00:24:01,607 --> 00:24:03,407 When most people think of the donner party, 588 00:24:03,409 --> 00:24:05,242 They think of the doomed expedition, 589 00:24:05,311 --> 00:24:06,777 The people trapped up at the lake. 590 00:24:06,779 --> 00:24:09,213 There's a whole other chapter to the donner party story 591 00:24:09,215 --> 00:24:10,981 People have never heard. 592 00:24:10,983 --> 00:24:13,851 That's right. It's a story of survival. 593 00:24:13,953 --> 00:24:17,021 The human instinct to survive. It's remarkable. 594 00:24:17,023 --> 00:24:19,523 [josh] when those first survivors limped into johnson ranch, 595 00:24:19,525 --> 00:24:21,625 It became nationwide news. 596 00:24:21,627 --> 00:24:25,362 But most of the donner part were still trapped back at truckee lake. 597 00:24:25,464 --> 00:24:29,133 And that meant people were going to have to go and get them. 598 00:24:29,202 --> 00:24:31,035 There are people that volunteered. 599 00:24:31,037 --> 00:24:35,005 They didn't get lost, they didn't get stuck in snow. 600 00:24:35,007 --> 00:24:38,209 They found out people were stuck in snow, their fellow emigrants. 601 00:24:38,211 --> 00:24:39,543 And they volunteered. 602 00:24:39,545 --> 00:24:41,245 [josh] how many people went up to try to save them, total? 603 00:24:41,313 --> 00:24:42,947 Like, total, close to 40. 604 00:24:43,015 --> 00:24:48,319 And there were several men that volunteered to not go just once, but several times. 605 00:24:48,321 --> 00:24:51,322 [josh] the rescuers who set out to save the stranded emigrants 606 00:24:51,324 --> 00:24:55,893 Were the kind of heroes that history rarely remember in this case, literally. 607 00:24:55,895 --> 00:24:58,062 The actual route that they took to reach 608 00:24:58,064 --> 00:25:02,199 The donner party at truckee lake is totally unknown. 609 00:25:02,201 --> 00:25:06,537 Bob and tim are aiming to do something about that, something big. 610 00:25:06,606 --> 00:25:09,607 Your hat says donner relief expedition 2022. 611 00:25:09,609 --> 00:25:11,475 What are you guys doing, what are you planning? 612 00:25:11,477 --> 00:25:14,044 We're gonna retrace the steps of the first relief, 613 00:25:14,046 --> 00:25:16,247 From right here at johnson ranch to donner lake 614 00:25:16,315 --> 00:25:20,951 And we are gonna arrive at donner lake 175 years after the first relief arrived. 615 00:25:20,953 --> 00:25:22,519 -To the day. -[bob] to the day. 616 00:25:22,521 --> 00:25:25,523 [josh] using years of research, diaries from the survivors 617 00:25:25,525 --> 00:25:29,326 And their considerable outdoor skills, they have charted the most likely cour 618 00:25:29,328 --> 00:25:33,631 That the original relief expedition took to rescue the donner party. 619 00:25:33,633 --> 00:25:35,199 The distance you're gonna cover is? 620 00:25:35,201 --> 00:25:36,300 About 100 miles. 621 00:25:36,302 --> 00:25:38,702 On foot, back up into those mountains. 622 00:25:38,704 --> 00:25:41,505 I don't know if you know this or not, it's not warm up there. 623 00:25:41,507 --> 00:25:43,140 It's harder this way. 624 00:25:43,242 --> 00:25:44,608 This is gonna take you how long? 625 00:25:44,610 --> 00:25:46,410 It's gonna take us five days. 626 00:25:46,412 --> 00:25:49,280 [josh] their effort is the culmination of years of planning 627 00:25:49,282 --> 00:25:52,116 And will be tracked by satellites as they go. 628 00:25:52,118 --> 00:25:54,518 I'd love to join them, but my camera team and I 629 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:58,422 Stand a zero percent chance of keeping their pace. 630 00:25:58,424 --> 00:26:00,558 Still, I'm not getting out of it that easy. 631 00:26:00,626 --> 00:26:02,359 Why don't you meet us somewhere along the way? 632 00:26:02,461 --> 00:26:04,528 Okay, we could intersect with your group. 633 00:26:04,530 --> 00:26:06,063 At the finish line, with hot chocolates, 634 00:26:06,065 --> 00:26:07,264 I could just be lounging there? 635 00:26:07,333 --> 00:26:08,332 Uh, I don't think so. 636 00:26:08,401 --> 00:26:10,034 -That's a little too easy. -Too easy? 637 00:26:10,102 --> 00:26:11,802 -You have to see a little bit of the trail. -All right. 638 00:26:11,804 --> 00:26:13,804 How about donner pass? You have snowshoes? 639 00:26:13,806 --> 00:26:15,205 -Yeah, I can get them. -Bring them with you. 640 00:26:15,608 --> 00:26:16,840 I'll be there. 641 00:26:30,656 --> 00:26:33,223 All right, I am chasing down bob and his expedition team 642 00:26:33,225 --> 00:26:37,428 As they attempt to retrace the donner party relief route. 643 00:26:37,430 --> 00:26:39,964 Now, we've been tracking them on gps 644 00:26:39,966 --> 00:26:41,932 And in the last three and a half days, 645 00:26:42,001 --> 00:26:46,303 They have covered, unbelievably, more than 80 miles on foot. 646 00:26:46,305 --> 00:26:50,507 These guys are animals. So I got some serious catching up to do. 647 00:26:56,248 --> 00:26:59,617 I hop off the bike at the closest point I can get to the team 648 00:26:59,619 --> 00:27:01,552 And head out to meet them on foot. 649 00:27:01,621 --> 00:27:03,921 Lucky for me, they agree to stop for a moment. 650 00:27:03,923 --> 00:27:05,322 -How are you man? -[bob] good to see you. 651 00:27:05,324 --> 00:27:07,558 [josh] along with tim and bo are team members 652 00:27:07,627 --> 00:27:09,727 And experienced endurance athletes 653 00:27:09,729 --> 00:27:11,829 Jennifer hemmen and elke reimer. 654 00:27:11,831 --> 00:27:15,099 Oh, I am so impressed and amazed to see all of you. 655 00:27:15,101 --> 00:27:18,502 I mean, last time I saw you was nearly 100 miles ago. 656 00:27:18,504 --> 00:27:20,504 That's right, back at johnson ranch. 657 00:27:20,506 --> 00:27:23,107 We're 93 miles into the 100-mile trek now. 658 00:27:23,109 --> 00:27:24,708 You're animals, all of you. 659 00:27:24,710 --> 00:27:26,010 Mind if I tag along with you? 660 00:27:26,012 --> 00:27:28,145 -It'd be great. -[josh] where are we headed? 661 00:27:28,214 --> 00:27:30,114 Towards the donner party, that way. 662 00:27:30,116 --> 00:27:31,781 I'm right behind you, let's go. 663 00:27:34,353 --> 00:27:37,821 Just me and four of the most well-trained athletes in the world. 664 00:27:37,823 --> 00:27:39,323 Now I know how ringo starr felt. 665 00:27:42,928 --> 00:27:46,330 -Okay, how about a break? No? -[all laughing] 666 00:27:46,332 --> 00:27:48,165 -[woman] you're doing great. -[josh] thanks. 667 00:27:53,205 --> 00:27:57,508 The weather is on our side, but trekking in these conditions is slow going. 668 00:27:57,510 --> 00:28:01,311 We're following a trail that hasn't existed in nearly two centuries. 669 00:28:01,313 --> 00:28:05,049 Fortunately, it's late in the day, which means we do get to rest. 670 00:28:07,620 --> 00:28:09,153 [elke] what do you guys think? 671 00:28:09,254 --> 00:28:11,455 -For camp, yeah. -[elke] it's a nice little divot. 672 00:28:11,557 --> 00:28:13,957 All right, we got flat ground, let's take it. 673 00:28:13,959 --> 00:28:15,626 We make camp for the night. 674 00:28:15,628 --> 00:28:18,629 Thankfully, we've got much better equipment than the donners. 675 00:28:18,631 --> 00:28:21,498 That is if we can figure ou how to set it up. 676 00:28:21,500 --> 00:28:25,936 Nope. What's this, like, crazy knot going into this, like, sheared section? 677 00:28:26,005 --> 00:28:28,305 It's an open letter to tent manufacturers. 678 00:28:28,307 --> 00:28:31,508 Stop innovating, just cross poles. 679 00:28:31,510 --> 00:28:33,944 Nobody asked for this. Nobody asked for this. 680 00:28:36,015 --> 00:28:37,047 What do you think, guys? 681 00:28:37,116 --> 00:28:38,315 Are we gonna make sunrise, or... 682 00:28:46,859 --> 00:28:49,660 Once we've built camp, it's time to get warm. 683 00:28:49,729 --> 00:28:53,831 So we gather around a fire, just as the rescuers did near this very spot. 684 00:28:55,301 --> 00:28:59,503 It's hard not to imagine, sitting here by this fire, 685 00:28:59,505 --> 00:29:04,408 What it must have been like 175 years ago for that relief party. 686 00:29:04,410 --> 00:29:07,978 So what did they find when they arrived at donner lake? 687 00:29:07,980 --> 00:29:09,412 -Nothing. -[woman] nothing. 688 00:29:09,414 --> 00:29:12,015 They arrived at the cabins and everybody was inside hunkered down. 689 00:29:12,017 --> 00:29:13,550 I think everyone there had given up hope. 690 00:29:13,619 --> 00:29:15,152 They probably watched the pass for weeks, 691 00:29:15,221 --> 00:29:17,054 "when are they gonna come get us?" 692 00:29:18,324 --> 00:29:20,958 [josh] by the time the firs rescuers arrived at the lake 693 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,528 The donner party had been trapped there for over 12 weeks. 694 00:29:24,530 --> 00:29:28,932 In fact, by this time, the shelters at the lake were all but invisible. 695 00:29:29,001 --> 00:29:31,602 One of the women comes up out of the ground, 696 00:29:31,604 --> 00:29:33,103 Because they were all underground, 697 00:29:33,105 --> 00:29:35,706 Buried in snow, their shelters, 698 00:29:35,708 --> 00:29:38,609 Looks up and says, "are you men from californi 699 00:29:38,611 --> 00:29:41,044 Or were you sent here from heaven?" 700 00:29:41,113 --> 00:29:43,647 Right, like, they didn't even have a grip on reality. 701 00:29:43,749 --> 00:29:45,716 Are we living, or did we just die? 702 00:29:45,718 --> 00:29:47,951 And this relief party is also in a terrible position here, 703 00:29:47,953 --> 00:29:50,554 Because they can't bring everybody out, right? 704 00:29:50,589 --> 00:29:52,055 They say, "we don't have food," 705 00:29:52,057 --> 00:29:55,926 And they say, "why have you come to save us only to kill us?" 706 00:29:55,928 --> 00:29:58,061 [josh] thirteen people have already died 707 00:29:58,163 --> 00:30:01,198 And the remaining 54 are starving and desperate. 708 00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:03,400 Still, there are only enough supplies 709 00:30:03,402 --> 00:30:06,203 To bring 23 of them back to civilization. 710 00:30:06,205 --> 00:30:08,438 The rest will have to stay behind. 711 00:30:08,507 --> 00:30:11,809 A second relief party, organized immediately after the first, 712 00:30:11,811 --> 00:30:15,245 Arrives 10 days later and discovers a horrific scene, 713 00:30:17,550 --> 00:30:20,751 Called by one an unholy feast. 714 00:30:20,853 --> 00:30:24,221 Four human bodies are in the process of being consumed. 715 00:30:24,223 --> 00:30:27,357 The remaining survivors have made the same unthinkable decision 716 00:30:27,426 --> 00:30:29,426 As those of the forlorn hope 717 00:30:29,428 --> 00:30:34,565 Jacob donner himself has die and is consumed by his famil to extend their own lives. 718 00:30:38,204 --> 00:30:42,439 The second rescue party will bring 17 more survivors mostly children, 719 00:30:42,508 --> 00:30:43,907 Back to johnson ranch. 720 00:30:45,511 --> 00:30:49,446 In all, four rescue parties would make it to truckee lak 721 00:30:49,548 --> 00:30:51,748 I have to say, I can sense that all of you feel 722 00:30:51,817 --> 00:30:53,917 A real connection to the members 723 00:30:53,919 --> 00:30:55,619 Of this relief party at this point. 724 00:30:55,621 --> 00:30:59,756 What we didn't anticipate was becoming fixated on the characters, 725 00:30:59,825 --> 00:31:01,457 Which are so interesting. 726 00:31:01,459 --> 00:31:05,729 And one of the ways that helps us remind ourselves who they are as people 727 00:31:05,731 --> 00:31:08,065 Is we make up, uh, little tribute cards 728 00:31:08,133 --> 00:31:09,399 With their picture on the front. 729 00:31:09,401 --> 00:31:11,935 This is a card, for instance, of john stark. 730 00:31:12,004 --> 00:31:16,340 And we'll lay john stark and 47 other cards like this 731 00:31:16,408 --> 00:31:20,744 At the donner, uh, memorial state park tomorrow at the pioneer monument. 732 00:31:20,813 --> 00:31:22,145 Wow. Can I see one? 733 00:31:22,715 --> 00:31:24,014 Wow this is something. 734 00:31:24,016 --> 00:31:25,816 So this is john stark. 735 00:31:27,519 --> 00:31:29,920 John stark was part of the third relief party. 736 00:31:29,922 --> 00:31:33,957 Oh their way out, stark and the other rescuer came across a group of 11 737 00:31:33,959 --> 00:31:37,027 Stranded in the snow, clinging to life. 738 00:31:37,029 --> 00:31:42,199 The rescuers took a vote and initially decided they could only save two. 739 00:31:42,201 --> 00:31:45,702 [bob] john stark pulled nine children out of that hole 740 00:31:45,704 --> 00:31:50,507 And he put them on his back he'd carry them 100 yards, 741 00:31:50,509 --> 00:31:53,110 He'd go back and get the next three children, 742 00:31:53,112 --> 00:31:56,113 Carry them 100 yards and set them in the snow 743 00:31:56,115 --> 00:31:57,915 And then do it over and over again. 744 00:31:57,917 --> 00:32:00,550 He did that for three days without any help at all. 745 00:32:00,619 --> 00:32:04,821 And he said, "I would have put all nine of them on my back if I had room." 746 00:32:04,823 --> 00:32:06,657 And when asked why did he do it? 747 00:32:06,725 --> 00:32:09,426 He said, "because it's the right thing to do." 748 00:32:11,931 --> 00:32:13,830 Yeah, but it's just something almost super-human 749 00:32:13,832 --> 00:32:16,300 Of a commitment that these people had to this cause. 750 00:32:16,302 --> 00:32:17,401 To heroism. 751 00:32:17,403 --> 00:32:19,102 -To heroism. -[woman] to heroism. 752 00:32:21,307 --> 00:32:22,306 -[josh] cheers. -[men] cheers. 753 00:32:30,115 --> 00:32:31,448 [josh] all right, should we get to it? 754 00:32:31,550 --> 00:32:32,549 [tim] let's do it. 755 00:32:32,617 --> 00:32:33,884 [josh] here we go, come on. 756 00:32:33,886 --> 00:32:38,021 We awaken the next morning, February 18th, 2022, 757 00:32:38,023 --> 00:32:43,160 175 years to the day that the first relief party reached donner summit. 758 00:32:48,300 --> 00:32:52,502 To honor the survivors and the rescuers, and to bring history to life 759 00:32:52,504 --> 00:32:55,739 The expedition team opts to dress in period clothing 760 00:32:55,841 --> 00:32:57,240 For the final leg of the journey. 761 00:33:00,045 --> 00:33:01,111 Through donner pass... 762 00:33:01,914 --> 00:33:04,047 We have only six miles to cover today. 763 00:33:06,819 --> 00:33:08,852 At the end of the trail is history. 764 00:33:10,589 --> 00:33:12,021 Look at that view, wow. 765 00:33:18,430 --> 00:33:21,398 [bob] this location is one of the most famous places on earth. 766 00:33:21,400 --> 00:33:23,133 [josh] I'm in the sierra mountains 767 00:33:23,202 --> 00:33:26,803 Part of an expedition team retracing the first rescue effort 768 00:33:26,805 --> 00:33:28,705 To reach the infamous donner party. 769 00:33:31,110 --> 00:33:34,544 And, you know, it's kinda, uh, eerie in a way, 770 00:33:34,646 --> 00:33:39,416 But they would've stood right here where we are on this very day, right? 771 00:33:39,418 --> 00:33:42,819 The precise spot 175 years ago today. 772 00:33:43,422 --> 00:33:45,054 [josh] how 'bout that. 773 00:33:45,056 --> 00:33:47,324 The only difference was that when the rescue party was here, 774 00:33:47,326 --> 00:33:49,726 There was 25 more feet of sn 775 00:33:49,728 --> 00:33:52,029 In what is now known as donner pass. 776 00:33:54,933 --> 00:33:56,700 You know this pass is such a funnel 777 00:33:56,702 --> 00:34:00,904 That not just the relief party, but think about over the centuries 778 00:34:00,906 --> 00:34:02,406 All of the people that came through here, 779 00:34:02,408 --> 00:34:04,441 All the footsteps that we're walking in right now. 780 00:34:04,543 --> 00:34:07,210 [bob] this very pass, not a very big one, 781 00:34:07,212 --> 00:34:11,181 Is where everyone that wanted to come to california had to pass through here. 782 00:34:11,183 --> 00:34:12,515 [josh] right. 783 00:34:12,517 --> 00:34:16,053 [bob] the entire country all narrows down to this very spot. 784 00:34:16,055 --> 00:34:19,122 Yeah, it originally started with the wagon trains coming through the pass. 785 00:34:19,124 --> 00:34:21,725 Next they built the railroa through here... 786 00:34:21,727 --> 00:34:23,427 ...Then an interstate highwa 787 00:34:23,429 --> 00:34:24,661 Everyone came through here. 788 00:34:24,730 --> 00:34:27,230 This really is the gateway to the west. 789 00:34:27,232 --> 00:34:28,398 [tim] it really is. 790 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:29,766 [josh] think about how much we owe 791 00:34:29,802 --> 00:34:32,202 To the people that came through right where we are right now. 792 00:34:32,204 --> 00:34:35,505 Everything from agriculture, to the economy, 793 00:34:35,507 --> 00:34:38,442 To high tech silicon valley california companies. 794 00:34:38,510 --> 00:34:40,510 Any time you use social media... 795 00:34:40,512 --> 00:34:43,547 ...It's because somebody, a couple hundred years ago, came through donner pass, 796 00:34:43,648 --> 00:34:45,348 And... And helped make california. 797 00:34:45,350 --> 00:34:48,718 -[bob] this is the super highway of early america. -[josh] yeah. 798 00:34:48,720 --> 00:34:49,920 All right, let's keep moving. 799 00:34:54,460 --> 00:34:55,492 [bob] yeah, josh, watch it. 800 00:34:55,494 --> 00:34:56,960 It gets real steep in here, be careful. 801 00:34:58,030 --> 00:34:59,329 Okay, nice and slow here. 802 00:35:01,600 --> 00:35:04,801 The next part of the trip is a steep downward slope. 803 00:35:04,803 --> 00:35:08,238 Which gives me an excuse to use the phrase "ass over tea kettle." 804 00:35:08,340 --> 00:35:09,840 Oh [bleep] . 805 00:35:09,842 --> 00:35:12,509 -[man] there they go. -[josh] watch those spikes! Watch those spikes. 806 00:35:12,511 --> 00:35:14,578 That was like a 30 second slip. 807 00:35:14,580 --> 00:35:16,313 [tim] we might have to go rescue the film crew. 808 00:35:20,152 --> 00:35:23,220 [josh] all right, the pass isn't looking quite so easy anymore. 809 00:35:23,222 --> 00:35:24,854 [woman] never easy. 810 00:35:24,856 --> 00:35:27,958 [josh] snowshoeing down steep hills is a delicate balancing act, 811 00:35:27,960 --> 00:35:30,627 So we need to watch every step we take. 812 00:35:30,629 --> 00:35:33,463 Added to the danger is the fact that the snow we're walking on 813 00:35:33,565 --> 00:35:34,764 Isn't always solid. 814 00:35:36,034 --> 00:35:38,001 [bob] yeah, watch this right here. 815 00:35:38,003 --> 00:35:39,402 [josh] oh, look at that. Yeah, there's a hole down there. 816 00:35:43,609 --> 00:35:45,008 [tim] I'm sliding. 817 00:35:50,949 --> 00:35:54,217 That lake is not as close as it looks from the top of the pass. 818 00:35:54,219 --> 00:35:55,485 It's deceptive. 819 00:35:55,487 --> 00:35:57,721 It was not easy to get up the donner pass. 820 00:35:57,723 --> 00:35:59,456 It was incredibly hard. 821 00:35:59,525 --> 00:36:03,160 And for the relief party, each time they made that trip... 822 00:36:03,228 --> 00:36:06,830 ...Breaking trail for all those people each time in fresh snow, 823 00:36:06,832 --> 00:36:08,465 That's exhausting. 824 00:36:08,533 --> 00:36:10,433 I can just imagine with 30 feet of snow... 825 00:36:11,136 --> 00:36:12,736 ...And no clear route through? 826 00:36:12,837 --> 00:36:13,803 Forget it. 827 00:36:17,943 --> 00:36:19,342 [tim] be careful there, one at a time. 828 00:36:28,854 --> 00:36:31,521 Right, we're down to the flats here now. 829 00:36:31,523 --> 00:36:32,956 Gotta be getting close to that lake. 830 00:36:34,259 --> 00:36:36,426 Eventually, we complete the descent 831 00:36:36,428 --> 00:36:40,597 And link into the road that leads to donner memorial state park. 832 00:36:40,599 --> 00:36:42,332 We got a crowd, look at this. Wow. 833 00:36:44,403 --> 00:36:46,002 [crowd cheers] 834 00:36:50,309 --> 00:36:53,343 [josh] finally, after seemingly endless hours in snow shoes, 835 00:36:53,412 --> 00:36:55,078 The finish line is in sight 836 00:36:55,080 --> 00:36:59,516 The pioneer monument, built in 1918 to honor the donner party. 837 00:37:00,886 --> 00:37:03,520 We lay the cards representing the rescuers 838 00:37:03,522 --> 00:37:06,856 On the base of the monument bringing them together again 839 00:37:06,925 --> 00:37:11,228 If only symbolically, at this site of tragedy and triumph. 840 00:37:16,034 --> 00:37:17,033 [tim] come on in here, guys. 841 00:37:18,203 --> 00:37:20,136 -Well done, guys. -[tim] well done, guys. 842 00:37:20,238 --> 00:37:22,005 -Awesome work. -[josh] it was an honor. 843 00:37:22,007 --> 00:37:22,939 [cheering] 844 00:37:24,343 --> 00:37:26,209 [tim] made it. [laughs] 845 00:37:27,312 --> 00:37:28,377 [team laughs] 846 00:37:32,017 --> 00:37:33,650 [josh] for these four endurance athletes 847 00:37:33,718 --> 00:37:36,820 It's the culmination of a long and emotional journey. 848 00:37:36,822 --> 00:37:39,256 Something for which they should be recognized. 849 00:37:39,324 --> 00:37:42,259 This event today is obviously about honoring 850 00:37:42,360 --> 00:37:44,327 The first relief, and all the relief parties here, 851 00:37:44,329 --> 00:37:47,530 I just wanna brag on behalf of these four folks for a second. 852 00:37:47,532 --> 00:37:49,199 They've done an extraordinary amount of work 853 00:37:49,201 --> 00:37:52,702 And they've really helped to, in many ways, rediscover 854 00:37:52,704 --> 00:37:56,239 One of the most extraordinary parts of the donner party saga. 855 00:37:56,308 --> 00:37:59,542 Those cards that are up ther hope everyone takes a look and goes and sees them, 856 00:37:59,611 --> 00:38:03,113 These folks are honoring people who did something really extraordinary 857 00:38:03,115 --> 00:38:05,315 And they themselves have done something really extraordinary. 858 00:38:05,317 --> 00:38:07,851 So give them a round of applause they're just amazing folks. 859 00:38:07,919 --> 00:38:09,419 -[audience applauds] -yeah. 860 00:38:09,421 --> 00:38:12,722 And thank you for letting us tag along and play a small part in it. 861 00:38:12,724 --> 00:38:16,026 It certainly feels like the end of the road but it's not. 862 00:38:16,028 --> 00:38:20,363 It turns out bob and tim aren't done making history with their expedition. 863 00:38:20,432 --> 00:38:22,399 Other than taking your boots off and resting, 864 00:38:22,401 --> 00:38:23,500 Now what? 865 00:38:23,502 --> 00:38:26,202 When we did the forlorn hope expedition, 866 00:38:26,204 --> 00:38:28,938 One of the obscure areas that was lost to history 867 00:38:29,007 --> 00:38:30,440 Was a place called "camp of death". 868 00:38:32,044 --> 00:38:33,743 [josh] the camp of death. 869 00:38:33,745 --> 00:38:38,048 This is one of the most critical locations in the entire donner saga. 870 00:38:38,149 --> 00:38:40,650 The place where the forlorn hope escape party 871 00:38:40,719 --> 00:38:42,052 Got pinned down by weather 872 00:38:42,054 --> 00:38:44,321 And first turned to cannibalism. 873 00:38:44,323 --> 00:38:47,957 The event that came to define the doomed expedition. 874 00:38:47,959 --> 00:38:49,259 But it's never been found. 875 00:38:50,962 --> 00:38:53,163 We think we may have a beat on it. 876 00:38:53,264 --> 00:38:56,499 [josh] if he's right, and they hav identified this lost locatio 877 00:38:56,501 --> 00:38:58,601 It would be history in the making. 878 00:38:58,603 --> 00:39:00,303 Okay, so are you gonna go try and find it? 879 00:39:00,305 --> 00:39:02,605 We are, but we gotta wait for the snow to thaw. 880 00:39:02,607 --> 00:39:03,807 Right, not today. 881 00:39:03,809 --> 00:39:04,908 Yeah, not today. 882 00:39:04,910 --> 00:39:06,943 Okay, but maybe I'll come look you up in the spring? 883 00:39:07,012 --> 00:39:08,211 Yeah, we'd love to have you along. 884 00:39:08,213 --> 00:39:09,446 Will there be less walking? 885 00:39:09,547 --> 00:39:10,914 Can't guarantee that. 886 00:39:10,916 --> 00:39:12,082 So, once the snow melts? 887 00:39:12,150 --> 00:39:14,517 Once the snow melts we're gonna meet you out there. 888 00:39:14,519 --> 00:39:15,852 -[josh] sounds good to me. -[tim] deal. 889 00:39:23,528 --> 00:39:24,827 [josh] all right, spring is here. 890 00:39:24,896 --> 00:39:28,798 The snow is melted and I am back near truckee, california, 891 00:39:28,800 --> 00:39:32,902 Heading to a set of coordinates deep inside tahoe national forest... 892 00:39:32,904 --> 00:39:34,637 ...To meet bob and tim once again. 893 00:39:38,944 --> 00:39:39,809 Hey, guys, how are ya? 894 00:39:41,012 --> 00:39:42,112 -Josh! -How are you, man? 895 00:39:42,114 --> 00:39:43,546 Hey, welcome back to cali. 896 00:39:43,615 --> 00:39:44,681 -Look at you, clean shaven. -[bob] yeah. 897 00:39:44,683 --> 00:39:46,116 [tim] it's good to see you again. 898 00:39:46,118 --> 00:39:47,050 [josh] good to see you, man, what's up? 899 00:39:47,052 --> 00:39:48,451 -Hey, I'm josh. -Hey, I'm greg. 900 00:39:48,520 --> 00:39:49,652 Nice to meet you. 901 00:39:49,721 --> 00:39:51,488 Greg is our archeologist on the project. 902 00:39:51,490 --> 00:39:52,922 [josh] awesome. 903 00:39:52,924 --> 00:39:54,858 I'm really, really excited to see what you guys have found out here. 904 00:39:54,926 --> 00:39:56,025 [bob] we're can't wait to show ya. 905 00:39:56,027 --> 00:39:57,494 Glad you got long pants on, 906 00:39:57,496 --> 00:39:59,262 'cause we're going for about a half a mile hike... 907 00:39:59,831 --> 00:40:00,663 ...Into the wilderness. 908 00:40:00,765 --> 00:40:01,798 You up for that? 909 00:40:01,800 --> 00:40:03,032 Yeah, I'm ready. Should we do it? 910 00:40:03,034 --> 00:40:04,801 -Yup, let's go. -Let's see what you got, come on. 911 00:40:13,745 --> 00:40:15,211 [josh] after our last hike together, 912 00:40:15,213 --> 00:40:17,180 This feels like a stroll in the park. 913 00:40:17,182 --> 00:40:20,250 We snake through the pathless forest for an hour. 914 00:40:20,318 --> 00:40:23,620 If the camp of death is out here and could be identified 915 00:40:23,622 --> 00:40:26,089 It would be nothing short of historic. 916 00:40:26,091 --> 00:40:29,426 And before long, the guys come to a stop in a small clearing. 917 00:40:30,128 --> 00:40:30,960 Okay, josh. 918 00:40:31,563 --> 00:40:32,328 This is the spot. 919 00:40:33,331 --> 00:40:34,530 This is it? 920 00:40:34,532 --> 00:40:36,900 This is the spot we believe is the camp of death. 921 00:40:36,902 --> 00:40:38,001 How did you arrive at this? 922 00:40:38,003 --> 00:40:40,437 We researched the entire 100 mile journey 923 00:40:40,538 --> 00:40:42,806 Of the forlorn hopers over seven years. 924 00:40:42,808 --> 00:40:46,609 Our firsthand accounts from william eddy in his diary, 925 00:40:46,611 --> 00:40:47,744 They were looking for shelter. 926 00:40:47,813 --> 00:40:50,447 They knew they had to get on the lee side 927 00:40:50,548 --> 00:40:52,215 Away from the wind, 'cause it was blowing. 928 00:40:52,217 --> 00:40:53,483 That checks here. 929 00:40:53,485 --> 00:40:55,452 They had to have fuel for a fire. 930 00:40:55,520 --> 00:40:57,821 -[josh] plenty of that. -[bob] there was plenty of that around here. 931 00:40:57,823 --> 00:40:59,556 We knew where they were the day before, 932 00:40:59,657 --> 00:41:01,658 And we knew where they were five days later. 933 00:41:01,759 --> 00:41:03,259 Process of elimination, 934 00:41:03,361 --> 00:41:04,861 This really is the spot. 935 00:41:04,963 --> 00:41:06,629 It's the only spot they could've have been. 936 00:41:06,631 --> 00:41:08,198 So what do we know about camp of death? 937 00:41:08,200 --> 00:41:09,399 What do they describe? 938 00:41:09,401 --> 00:41:12,502 They said they had, uh, built a fire on top of the snow, 939 00:41:12,504 --> 00:41:14,537 But during the time they were there 940 00:41:14,606 --> 00:41:15,605 The fire burned through the snow 941 00:41:15,607 --> 00:41:17,140 And was extinguished in a creek. 942 00:41:17,242 --> 00:41:19,409 And we are literally standing here in a creek. 943 00:41:19,411 --> 00:41:20,810 Yeah, we're in a dry creek bed, 944 00:41:20,812 --> 00:41:23,613 But you can see how... If it was winter time or spring 945 00:41:23,615 --> 00:41:24,547 Where the snow was running off, 946 00:41:24,615 --> 00:41:26,015 This is gonna be a quite active stream. 947 00:41:26,017 --> 00:41:27,750 So this place fits geographically, 948 00:41:27,819 --> 00:41:29,652 It fits historically. 949 00:41:29,688 --> 00:41:31,220 How do we say for sure though? 950 00:41:31,222 --> 00:41:34,657 You're right, uh, there's gonna be very little forensic evidence here. 951 00:41:34,759 --> 00:41:37,627 However, when we were in here, uh, surveying the area 952 00:41:37,629 --> 00:41:40,263 We found an item and we left it in the ground. 953 00:41:40,365 --> 00:41:43,199 And then we contacted greg, our archeologist and said, 954 00:41:43,201 --> 00:41:45,935 "we need help to properly document this." 955 00:41:46,004 --> 00:41:48,605 [josh] for something to be properly studied archeologically 956 00:41:48,607 --> 00:41:52,308 It needs to be in situ, or in its original place. 957 00:41:52,310 --> 00:41:54,544 Bob and tim have done the right thing here, 958 00:41:54,646 --> 00:41:59,315 Waiting for the next thaw and calling in an expert to properly document the fin 959 00:41:59,317 --> 00:42:01,751 But that also means, we need to rediscover it. 960 00:42:02,721 --> 00:42:03,419 Okay. 961 00:42:04,322 --> 00:42:05,621 What... What did you find? 962 00:42:05,624 --> 00:42:07,257 Oh, well, you know it would be no fun if we told you. 963 00:42:07,325 --> 00:42:08,391 Oh, come on. 964 00:42:08,393 --> 00:42:09,626 Do you know where it is? 965 00:42:09,628 --> 00:42:11,327 Well, we know it's in this creek bed somewhere. 966 00:42:11,329 --> 00:42:12,662 We need to go find it again. 967 00:42:12,764 --> 00:42:14,030 You're out here with a metal detector. 968 00:42:14,032 --> 00:42:15,064 You're doing what you love. 969 00:42:15,066 --> 00:42:15,798 Get to it. 970 00:42:15,800 --> 00:42:17,333 We'll find it. We'll find it. 971 00:42:19,037 --> 00:42:21,404 Bob and tim are confident we're in the right spot, 972 00:42:21,406 --> 00:42:24,407 But I'll admit, my faith wavers. 973 00:42:24,409 --> 00:42:26,809 Now, bob, you're sure you found something here? 974 00:42:26,811 --> 00:42:30,346 -We're certain. It's around here somewhere, josh. -[josh] wasn't a dream? 975 00:42:30,415 --> 00:42:33,316 -[bob] if it was a dream, it was a happy dream. -[josh] all right. 976 00:42:33,318 --> 00:42:36,519 -[metal detector beeping] -[josh] ooh. Hold on. 977 00:42:37,622 --> 00:42:38,955 -[bob] you got something? -[josh] yeah, I got a hit. 978 00:42:39,057 --> 00:42:42,058 Something here for sure. You got that carrot? 979 00:42:45,297 --> 00:42:46,563 Yeah. Something here. 980 00:42:48,133 --> 00:42:50,099 -[clanking] -[josh] that sounds like metal. 981 00:42:52,304 --> 00:42:53,670 What did you find? 982 00:42:55,440 --> 00:42:56,406 Oh... 983 00:42:57,342 --> 00:43:00,343 My word. Oh, my word! Look at that! 984 00:43:05,216 --> 00:43:08,551 [josh] the sierra nevadas were once the last obstacle to the west. 985 00:43:08,620 --> 00:43:11,921 Pioneers risked their lives to cross the mountains. 986 00:43:14,626 --> 00:43:16,526 Now the risk is fun. 987 00:43:17,829 --> 00:43:21,965 #discotubing. Is hashtag still a thing? 988 00:43:21,967 --> 00:43:27,103 Now going for an amateur recreational land speed snow tube record, 989 00:43:27,105 --> 00:43:29,639 Josh w. Gates junior. 990 00:43:29,708 --> 00:43:31,307 Remember kids, do not try this at home. 991 00:43:31,309 --> 00:43:33,409 I am a professional. Sort of. 992 00:43:33,411 --> 00:43:37,614 Okay, I guess I just sit in this thing, and here we go. 993 00:43:37,616 --> 00:43:39,849 [shouting] oh, god! 994 00:43:39,951 --> 00:43:42,785 [shouting] oh, it's much faster than it looks. 995 00:43:42,787 --> 00:43:45,622 Oh, boy. Oh, this doesn't seem safe at all. 996 00:43:45,624 --> 00:43:48,625 Oh, my god. Oh, my god. There's a corner. There's a corner! There's... 997 00:43:48,627 --> 00:43:52,462 [yelling] oh! Ow! Ow! 998 00:43:52,530 --> 00:43:57,734 Oh no! Whoa! No! I'm in the creek! Hey! Whoa! Ooh! 999 00:43:59,604 --> 00:44:01,104 Land speed record. 1000 00:44:05,143 --> 00:44:09,312 -It's an axe! You found an axe head. -[bob] that's what we found. 1001 00:44:09,314 --> 00:44:11,914 [josh] high in the sierra nevada mountains, 1002 00:44:11,916 --> 00:44:14,050 I'm with a research team looking for evidence 1003 00:44:14,052 --> 00:44:18,321 Of the donner party's infamo and lost camp of death. 1004 00:44:18,323 --> 00:44:20,657 -Look at that. -[tim] it's what we were looking for. 1005 00:44:20,758 --> 00:44:22,191 Unbelievable. 1006 00:44:22,193 --> 00:44:24,427 -Greg, what do you think? -[greg] wow. Fantastic. 1007 00:44:24,429 --> 00:44:26,195 -[josh] amazing. -Yeah, that is. 1008 00:44:26,197 --> 00:44:30,500 That is a hand-forged axe. 1009 00:44:30,502 --> 00:44:32,035 -You can see the pitting here. -[josh] yeah. 1010 00:44:32,136 --> 00:44:34,637 Yeah, there are two things that are really distinct about this. 1011 00:44:34,706 --> 00:44:38,541 One is its size. It's what's called a belt axe. 1012 00:44:38,676 --> 00:44:42,245 It would have hung near the belt, rather than being a full-size axe. 1013 00:44:42,313 --> 00:44:45,782 It would have been carried portable, it would have been ready at the belt 1014 00:44:45,784 --> 00:44:48,918 And used for smaller scale, activities, lining, 1015 00:44:48,920 --> 00:44:51,721 Production of firewood and kindling and things like that. 1016 00:44:51,723 --> 00:44:55,525 And it could be anywhere from the time range you guys are looking for, 1017 00:44:55,527 --> 00:44:58,928 The 1840s on up to the 1850s or 60s. 1018 00:44:58,930 --> 00:45:00,863 We are right on the money, time wise here. 1019 00:45:00,932 --> 00:45:02,698 And in terms of donner history? 1020 00:45:02,700 --> 00:45:05,835 Uh, we know they didn't have much with them, but one thing we are certain they had 1021 00:45:05,904 --> 00:45:07,837 Was a personal hand axe. 1022 00:45:07,906 --> 00:45:11,808 Uh, likely carried by william eddy, and it's in his diary. 1023 00:45:11,810 --> 00:45:13,743 [josh] that's mentioned that's inventory? 1024 00:45:13,812 --> 00:45:15,945 It is absolutely mentioned in his diary, 1025 00:45:16,047 --> 00:45:18,481 And he had a story that went with it in this very spot. 1026 00:45:18,483 --> 00:45:21,818 When they came here, and they began to harvest the wood, 1027 00:45:21,820 --> 00:45:23,920 With the snow storm burying down on them, 1028 00:45:23,922 --> 00:45:27,390 And it was 20 feet of snow at the time, they were chopping away, 1029 00:45:27,392 --> 00:45:31,561 And somewhere in the night, they chopped and the axe hea broke off, 1030 00:45:31,629 --> 00:45:35,131 And they lost it in the snow and were unable to start a fire. 1031 00:45:35,133 --> 00:45:38,434 And that's why for 26 hours they had to be under blanket 1032 00:45:38,503 --> 00:45:40,837 They had no mechanism to start the fire. 1033 00:45:40,905 --> 00:45:43,606 And so that axe head was the one thing 1034 00:45:43,608 --> 00:45:46,709 That you could possibly find in this spot. 1035 00:45:46,711 --> 00:45:50,813 This is wild. I mean, could this really be? 1036 00:45:50,815 --> 00:45:53,316 -And the answer is, it could. -It could. 1037 00:45:53,318 --> 00:45:56,285 I mean, it fits the geography. It fits the history. 1038 00:45:56,287 --> 00:46:00,623 And the axe itself is the right period, the right type. 1039 00:46:00,625 --> 00:46:04,494 And if this is that axe, then we're standing in the camp of death. 1040 00:46:04,496 --> 00:46:06,062 No doubt about that. 1041 00:46:06,064 --> 00:46:09,298 And if that's the case, then this right where we are, 1042 00:46:09,300 --> 00:46:13,402 Is where they made the most difficult of choices. 1043 00:46:13,404 --> 00:46:16,806 [bob] everything possibly that could go wrong, went wrong here. 1044 00:46:16,808 --> 00:46:19,942 -[josh] yeah. -[bob] and yet they somehow survived it. 1045 00:46:20,011 --> 00:46:22,345 -That's the human spirit. -Amazing. 1046 00:46:22,413 --> 00:46:24,347 If this is what we hope it is, 1047 00:46:25,517 --> 00:46:29,318 It's historic. It's monumental, really. 1048 00:46:30,355 --> 00:46:31,554 -Thanks. Really. -Thank you. 1049 00:46:31,556 --> 00:46:33,089 -[josh] greg. It was a pleasure. -[greg] very kind. 1050 00:46:33,091 --> 00:46:34,524 -[josh] tim, thank you so much. -[tim] josh, thanks. 1051 00:46:37,829 --> 00:46:41,097 [josh] for 175 years, the history of the donner party 1052 00:46:41,099 --> 00:46:45,101 Has been told as a horror story, a pionee stephen king yarn 1053 00:46:45,103 --> 00:46:47,003 Where the living envy the dead. 1054 00:46:47,005 --> 00:46:50,406 But after walking in their footsteps, it seems clear to me 1055 00:46:50,408 --> 00:46:52,809 That we've been telling the wrong tale. 1056 00:46:52,811 --> 00:46:56,345 Their journey was a disastrous combinatio of a con, 1057 00:46:56,414 --> 00:47:00,049 A lack of leadership, infighting and the worst of weather. 1058 00:47:02,220 --> 00:47:06,355 And yet over half the donner party survived. 1059 00:47:06,424 --> 00:47:09,959 If it hadn't been for their nearly superhuman determination, 1060 00:47:10,027 --> 00:47:12,328 Or for the bravery of the forlorn hope, 1061 00:47:12,330 --> 00:47:16,332 And the selflessness of the rescuers, then all would have been los 1062 00:47:17,802 --> 00:47:20,536 Those who lived would go on to settle the west 1063 00:47:20,605 --> 00:47:23,339 And have families of their own. 1064 00:47:23,408 --> 00:47:28,010 It has been calculated that 25,000 descendants are alive today 1065 00:47:28,012 --> 00:47:32,215 Because of the 48 people who refused to die in those mountains. 1066 00:47:32,217 --> 00:47:37,053 They include state senators judges, artists 1067 00:47:37,121 --> 00:47:40,323 And countless homesteaders who shaped the golden state 1068 00:47:41,326 --> 00:47:43,626 So if you ever find yourself driving west 1069 00:47:43,628 --> 00:47:46,195 On interstate 80 through donner pass, 1070 00:47:46,197 --> 00:47:49,699 Be sure to remember that long before the highway 1071 00:47:49,701 --> 00:47:53,302 This was all wilderness that demanded great sacrific 1072 00:47:53,304 --> 00:47:57,406 From those who forged the pa for us to follow.