Perhaps the strongest bond with the Donner party has been a program called Campfire Voices. Actual diaries and daily logs of the Donner members have been read to help highlight the struggles they faced.

The modern journey has also highlighted the difference between the trail and home to student Genevieve Smith.

"(On the trail) nobody's telling you no; nobody's stopping you. Here, you don't have a limit," Smith said. And, as the pioneers of 1846 did, Smith has committed her trek to paper by keeping a journal.

Student Justin Harris highlighted a personal difference, recalling a year ago when he first tried to climb Independence Rock in Wyoming. He was carefully guided and very hesitant. This year, he wanted minimal direction.

"So many people underestimate themselves, whether sighted or blind, it doesn't matter," he said, summing up the trip as "a blast."

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E-mail: nandrews@desnews.com