THEY LEFT HOME SEARCHING FOR A BETTER LIFE. MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE TRAPPED IN A MOUNTAIN WITH ALMOST NOTHING LEFT TO EAT.
In 1846, around 80 people joined the Donner Party, travelling west toward California.
They expected a difficult journey.
They didn't expect to become trapped by winter in the Sierra Nevada.
Heavy snow blocked their route.
Their food supplies began running out.
Days became weeks.
Weeks became months.
Families watched their chances of survival disappear.
Some tried to escape for help.
Others stayed behind, hoping rescuers would arrive.
Many died before help finally reached them.
The survivors carried the trauma of what happened for the rest of their lives.
Imagine being a parent, watching your child grow weaker…
while knowing there is nowhere to run and almost nothing left to give them.
When survival becomes a choice between doing something unthinkable or watching your family die, where should the line be drawn?
Is there a point where survival excuses anything?