Lost and Starving in the Bitterroot Mountains
The Corps of Discovery struggled through one of the most punishing stretches of the journey, crossing the Bitterroot Mountains along the Lolo Trail. Deep snow, steep slopes, and tangled fallen timber slowed progress, while wet, freezing conditions left feet at risk of frostbite in thin moccasins. With game scarce and provisions nearly gone, the men resorted to eating candles, portable soup, and some of their pack horses. Several became too sick or exhausted to continue, marking the expedition's closest brush with outright failure during this eleven-day ordeal.
The crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains along the Lolo Trail was the most physically grueling ordeal of the entire expedition. Deep snow, steep terrain, fallen timber, and diminishing food supplies pushed the Corps to the brink of disaster.
“I have been wet and as cold in every part as I ever was in my life. Indeed I was at one time fearfull my feet would freeze in the thin Mockersons which I wore.”
The expedition was reduced to eating candles, portable soup (a concentrated meat broth), and eventually slaughtering some of their pack horses. Game was virtually nonexistent in the high mountains. Several men became too sick and exhausted to travel. This 11-day ordeal through the Bitterroots was the closest the expedition came to complete failure.
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The crossing of the Bitterroot Mountains along the Lolo Trail was the most physically grueling ordeal of the entire expedition. Deep snow, steep terrain, fallen timber, and diminishing food supplies pushed the Corps to the brink of disaster.
"I have been wet and as cold in every part as I ever was in my life. Indeed, I was at one time fearful my feet would freeze in the thin moccasins which I wore."
The expedition was reduced to eating candles, portable soup (a concentrated meat broth), and eventually slaughtering some of their pack horses. Game was virtually nonexistent in the high mountains. Several men became too sick and exhausted to travel. This 11-day ordeal through the Bitterroots was the closest the expedition came to complete failure.
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