Monthly Archives: October 2020

October 21, 1841 — Mountains, Mountains, Mountains!

Wednesday, 21st. Our route today was much better than expected, though in any other place than the mountains it would be considered horrible. Capt. B. with his 7 or 8 overtook us, but we heard nothing of J. John. Distance … Continue reading

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October 20, 1841 — Going in Different Directions

Wednesday, 20th. Men went in different directions to see if there was any possibility of extracting ourselves from this place without going back. They returned and reported that it was utterly impossible to go down the creek. One young man … Continue reading

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October 19, 1841 — A Perfect Terrestrial Paradise ?

Tuesday, 19th. Descending along the stream,we found several oak scrubs which confirmed us in the hope that we were on the waters of the Pacific. But the route became exceedingly difficult-–the stream had swelled to a river-–could not approach it-–could … Continue reading

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October 18, 1841 — A Frightful Prospect

Monday, 18th. Having ascended a about half a mile, a frightful prospect opened before us-–naked mountains whose summits still retained the snows perhaps of a thousand years, for it had withstood the heat of a long dry summer, and ceased … Continue reading

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October 17, 1841 — The Ascent

Sunday, 17th. This morning we set forth into the rolling mountains; in many places it was so steep that all were obliged to take it on foot. Part of the day we travelled through vallies between peaks, where the way … Continue reading

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October 16, 1841 — The Return of Captain Bartleson

Saturday, 16th. This morning 4 or 5 men started to ascend several of the high peaks to ascertain if it was possible to pass the mountains. Just as they were going to start Capt. B. came up. He was in … Continue reading

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October 15, 1841 — Into the Mountains

Friday, 15th. Advanced upstream about 12 miles and arrived at the base of very high mountains. The creek had become a small spring branch, and took its rise at no great distance in the mountains. But we saw plainly that … Continue reading

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October 14, 1841 — “But We Made No Halt”

Thursday, 14th. This morning we saw at a distance Capt. B. with his 7 men, coming in a direction towards us, but we made no halt, ascended the stream about 20 miles. The mountains continued to increase in height. That … Continue reading

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October 13, 1841 — Walker River

Wednesday, 13th. Traveled about 13 miles and only crossed a bend of the river; at this place it ran due north. Day was hot, the creek had dwindled to half its first size. Jimmy John says it was 25 miles … Continue reading

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October 12, 1841

Tuesday, 12th. Traveled about 4 miles upstream, and encamped, understanding our Indian (having hired another pilot) that it would be a long day’s travel to water, after leaving the creek. Why leave the creek? The creek they are on is … Continue reading

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