In April 1846, eight families led by George Donner gathered in Springfield, Illinois looking for a better life for their families in the golden state of California. They departed with thirty-two people and grew to more than eighty members, ranging in age from infants to the elderly.

The ill-fated decision by James Reed to change their course and take the uncharted path that claimed to cut 300 miles off their journey would ultimately delay them when they reached the Sierra Nevada mountains. They became caught in an early season snow blizzard that trapped them in deep snow. The Donner Party faced the ultimate fight for survival during an unprecedented winter with more than 25 feet of snow. Punishing storms trapped the party with nearly no food or shelter for 5 months in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Many died, some succumbed to cannibalism to survive, others delved deeply into their faith while witnessing and waiting for everyday heroes to find a way out of the deadly snow and get rescued.