On May 26, 1805, Meriwether Lewis climbed the river hills of the Missouri River and beheld the snow-capped Rocky Mountains for the very first time in his life. He recorded a mixture of secret pleasure at being so close to the headwaters of the river and sudden dread regarding the immense hardships this barrier would pose to his party. His pocket compass reading of North 65 Degrees West confirmed they had reached the edge of uncharted America, a moment where the romantic thrill of exploration instantly collided with the brutal realities of survival.
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