In this episode we begin our look into the descent of the Donner Party as they emigrate from Missouri to California. They started out optimistic, but along the way the wagon train faced Native American attacks, dehydration, starvation, murder, and a total loss of hope. In this first part, we talk about the Donner Party's trip up until they reached Truckee Lake and detail the desperation mission deemed "Forlorn Hope" which began to indulge in the notorious acts for which the Donner Party is known: cannibalism. In the next part we will cover the happenings back at camp during and after Forlorn Hope, as well as attempts by James Reed to reach his family snowbound on the mountain. Keep up with us on Twitter and Instagram @tomandemir

Credits:

- Thanks to Ross Bugden for our theme song, "Something Wicked" (⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@RossBugden)⁠⁠⁠

- The opening audio comes from Stanley Kubrick's 1980 film, The Shining