This episode of Against the Odds contains depictions of violence.

Please be advised.

In the soft light of dawn, William Eddie appears at his companions lying next to the dying

campfire.

He's searching for any signs of stirring,

but all he sees is their breath fogging the cold air as they sleep.

There's a hush over the pine forest with drifts of snow piled halfway up the

trunks of the trees. Satisfied that everyone's still asleep Eddie creeps

toward Luis and Salvador, his groups two Miwok

Indian guides. He's especially quiet as he passes William Foster who always

sleeps clutching his rifle.

For the past three weeks, Eddie and other members of the Donner Party

have trudged through the Sierra Nevada Mountains

on makeshift snowshoes.

They're heading to a fort on the other side of the mountains where they hope to get supplies.

Then they'll come back for the 70 men, women, and children who are snowed in, dozens of miles behind them.

If they don't return soon, many will surely die of starvation.

The members of the rescue party are desperately hungry too. Their supplies are

long gone and five of their comrades have perished from cold and hunger along the way. Now just 10 remain. The trail they're trying to

follow is buried under several feet of snow. Eddie fears their wandering

in circles. Louise and Salvador were born in these parts and should know the way,

but even they are so malnourished that they're as disoriented as everyone else.

...