The Donner Party, a group of American pioneers, became famously trapped in the Sierra Nevada mountains during the winter of 1846-1847 due to a series of poor decisions regarding their chosen route and the onset of unexpected heavy snowfall. As winter progressed and supplies dwindled, the situation for the party grew increasingly desperate, with reports of starvation and survival cannibalism emerging from their camp. In February 1847, a rescue party comprised of several individuals, including William Eddy, was organized to locate and aid the stranded families. These rescuers faced perilous conditions, traversing snow-laden mountains and harsh weather to reach the site where the remaining members of the Donner Party awaited relief, marking a courageous attempt to save lives. Arriving at the camp, Eddy and his men found a harrowing scene with only a fraction of the original party still alive, severely weakened by hunger. The arrival of the rescuers offered a glimmer of hope, leading to several expeditions to bring survivors back to safety, though the road was fraught with challenges, and many had already succumbed to the elements or starvation.