Read the excerpt below from the diary of Patrick Breen, one of the survivors of the Donner Party. As you read, think about why Breen recorded this information in his diary. For what purpose did Breen include this information in his diary? November 20, 1846 came to this place on the 31st of last month that it snowed we went on to the pass the snow so deep we were unable to find the road, when within 3 miles of the summit then turned back to this shanty on the Lake, Stanton came one day after we arrived here we again took our teams.
