Lewis And Clark :: essays research papers fc

The Lewis and Clark expedition across the present day United States began may 14, 1804. With the approval of President Jefferson and the U.S. Congress, Lewis and Clark gathered an exploration caller of about cardinal dozen work force. These men headed off to discover Western America. On folk 1, 1805, they arrived at the Bitterroot Mountains, near present day Idaho. This began a nightmare that would not end until they reached modern-day Weippe. September 1, 1805, the explorers situate out travel west, heading into rough, seldom traveled, mountainous country. They stopped at todays North Fork of the Salmon River, known as Fish creek to Lewis and Clark, where they caught five fish, and were able to kill a deer (MacGregor 125). Some of the mens feet and horses hooves were injured due to the rough, rocky terrain. The conterminous day, they were entering mountains far more difficult to pass than any American had forever attempted (Ambros 284). Clark describes the route &quotTh rou thickets in which we were obliged to veer a road, over rocky hillsides where horses were in perpetual danger of slip to their certain distruction and up and down steep hills&quot (De Voto 232). Traveling along the steep hills, several horses fell. One was crippled, and two gave out. Patrick Gass described the trip that day as, &quotthe worst road (If road it can be called) that was ever traveled&quot (MacGregor 125). To make conditions as yet worse, it rained that afternoon, which made the trail even more treacherous. The party was only able to travel five miles that day. On September 3, snow fell and the teams proceed thermometer broke. some(prenominal) more horsed slipped and injured themselves. Later that day, the snow turned into sleet. The expedition family consumed the last of their salt pork and fish and began their descent into the Bitterroot Valley. That night, was the coldest yet. The adjoining day, the party went down a very steep descent to a river tha t Lewis named, Clarks River, (Today known as The Bitterroot River.) There, they encountered a band of Salish Indians, whom the captains called Flatheads. They stayed there with the Indians the next couple of days to trade. They acquired thirteen new Appaloosa Horses, including three colts, for seven faltering out horses. The Salish Indians shared berries and roots with the men for their meals. On September 6, they set off traveling northward along the Bitterroot River for about ten dollar bill miles.