Dec. 24, 2020

Episode 23 - Forlorn Hope Expedition Team

Episode 23 - Forlorn Hope Expedition Team

The modern-day Forlorn Hope Expedition Team sat down with us in this episode to talk about the genesis, planning and execution of their recently-completed journey from Donner Memorial State Park in Truckee, CA to Johnson's Ranch in Wheatland. Their route closely mirrored that of the original Forlorn Hope team that left the stranded Donner Party on December 16th, 1846 in an attempt to find rescue for the starving settlers.

The original Forlorn Hope party faced an arduous trek through the mountains in a year of deep snow and pounding storms with much tragedy and loss of life until a small contingent of seven survivors reached their destination. In this episode, hear the modern team recount the research and planning they had to do to create this project and the tributes that they offered to each of the men, women and children who set out into the unknown 174 years ago.

Bob Crowley, Tim Twietmeyer, Jennifer Hemmen and Elke Reimer each give their own view of the expedition, the impact it had on them to walk in the footsteps of these early pioneers and the future plans they have now that the physical journey is complete.

Tune in for this emotional and moving episode and find out more!

Forlorn Hope team website: https://www.forlornhope.org/

Expedition team bios: https://www.forlornhope.org/expedition-team/

Forlorn Hope team Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/371977447411728

Team photographer Keith Sutter's expedition summary video: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CJLzcAsD1cJ

Team member Elke's Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/ca_wildflower/

"The Indifferent Stars Above" book: http://www.danieljamesbrown.com/books/indifferent-stars/

Donner Party Diary web site: http://www.donnerpartydiary.com/

Donner Party books and DVDs: https://shop.sierrastateparks.org/collections/books-cds-dvds
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Your hosts: Greg Larkin / Mike Turner / Jessica Harris
Intro/outro music: Joseph McDade - Elevation: https://josephmcdade.com/music/elevation

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