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They used the Hastings' Cutoff
Basically, a guy by the name of Lansford Hastings decided to take a shortcut now called "Hastings Cutoff"). This shortcut would have saved them time, however, they were not prepared for the extreme weather they encountered. Deep snow and limited supplies ultimately led to the demise half of the party. 48 of the 87 members of the party survived.
Its a matter of opinion. There are many people who believe that it was Hastings fault, and others believe that it was the Donner Party's fault. There is also many evidence that suppourts both sides.
It was a relatively easy way for wagon to make it through the Sierra Nevada mountain range (at the time it was called Hastings Cutoff). It made for a straight shot between Lake Tahoe and Sacramento. The Donner party made it famous by getting stranded there during a poorly advised winter crossing attempt. Donner pass is still used today. Hwy 80 goes through it between California and Nevada.
The Donner party proved how dangerous moving west in the United States could be, and how many things could go wrong.
Welllllll - They basically were heading west to strike it rich in California. THEN, they decided to take a shortcut (known as "Hastings Cutoff"). What they didn't realize is that heavy snow would make this route to California impossible to pass. They slowly pushed on and ultimately were able to send a party of snow-shoer's to get help.
16 wagons were on the donner party And 87 people that were with the donner party.
There was a girl named Mary Donner in the Donner Party, and a woman named Margaret Reed.
No. The Donner Party were not Mormon pioneers.
The Donner party left the other group of travelers and used hasting cutoff little did they know that the guide only used this path once. When the Donner party got close the the Sierra Nevada's they got suck in a snow storm some of the people in the Donner party had to leave there wagons behind or get rid of stuff so alot f the people were out side huddled against each other getting warmth. Because of this "shortcut" the donner party ran out of food and water and people died for the lack of food when it came to that the donner party had no choice to eat the dead later on theree n ople that volenterred to hichhike to california and get help and some of the people trying to get help died on the way some made it to california. Thats some what of what happend to the donner party.
The Donner Party - film - was created in 2009.
The duration of The Donner Party - documentary - is 1.5 hours.