For the Willie Company, the 16 mile pull from 5th Crossing to 6th Crossing was a bleak day. They knew that they had to make it in one day because there was nowhere to camp between these two spots that had water or wood for fires. They were abysmally low on flour, hadn't had anything substantial to eat for days and their spirits were low. Where was the aid that had been promised by Elder Richards? What choice did they have but to keep moving? Unknown to the company, the rescuers were not far beyond 6th Crossing, however they were on the other side of Rocky Ridge - a most difficult stage. 6th crossing of the Sweetwater was frigid and treacherous for the Willie Company. For the Parleys trekkers it was a little different from the crossing of the day before. 

The gathering before 6th Crossing of the Sweetwater.

Yesterday's crossing was filled with reverent thoughts. Today, our youth enjoyed the blessed relief that the cool water brought to them. Waterfights and laughter were the order of the day.

When the Willie Company reached 6th Crossing it was decided that they would stay there and send James Willie and Joseph Elder on ahead to try and meet the rescuers. The weather was so bad that the rescuers had stayed in one place. Brothers Willie and Elder made the long and arduous trek over rocky Ridge and found the rescuers and told of the dire circumstances of those in the company. The rescuers then hitched up the wagons and left to find the Saints. Back over the Ridge went Brothers Willie and Elder with the supply wagons. One of the rescue party was William Kimball who had been partially responsible for the errors in judgment which led to the late departure. Not one to blame others, he had volunteered to join the rescuers. As they rode into the desolate camp, Brother Young barely recognized 20-year old Emily Hill, whom he had known while on his mission. He gave her an onion to eat and cried to see how starved they all were. Instead of eating the onion, Emily saved it and gave it to another man in camp who was in worse shape than was she. He later said that the onion had saved his life.

After 6th Crossing came one of the day's highlights - the women's pull. The men were pulled off the carts and the women of the Stake were left to carry on alone - yet not alone. The men went to the top of a ridge removed their hats and watched in reverent silence as the women made the pull. The women were singing and encouraging each other along the dusty trail. So many of the women in that fateful 1856 journey made the Trek alone and so many others carried their husbands or children in their handcarts and pulled them  - refusing to leave them behind.

The Women's Pull

Though our Stake was unable to obtain the permits to make the actual pull over Rocky Ridge, they were able to camp Friday night at Rock Creek. 

Friday evening camp at Rock Creek

Rock Creek is near the site of the common grave where 13 Saints are buried who died after the journey over the Ridge. Two more died the next morning and were hastilly buried close by. Think of the story of sweet little Bodil Mortensen, whose parents had entrusted her to travel with Jens and Elsie Nielsen when they were unable to emigrate. After the lengthy journey over the Ridge, she was sent to gather sagebrush for the evening fire. Overcome by exhaustion and cold, she was found frozen, leaning against a handcart wheel.

Tonight, in the peace of Rock Creek the Pony Express Mail delivery brought welcome letters to all of the youth from those who love them and were left behind in Salt Lake. As on the other nights, they are footsore and weary, but no serious health issues and they should sleep very well tonight - with dreams of showers tomorrow!!!

Thank-you to Paul Bradley who has sent these pictures from his phone. The data transfer has not worked, but Paul has been fabulous in the photos he could send and we KNOW that the photos for the slideshow in Sunday's fireside will stir memories for all involved in this Trek. 

Remember…Keep an eye on the blog on Saturday as we will be giving you updates on the return. First update should be around noon.

Please, please, please pass the word to all you know to come to the Stake Center to Welcome them back to the Valley.