Dec 17, 1804

Greetings from the trail!
Yesterday the thermometer stopped at 45 degrees below zero. I do not know if it is accurate but I do know that the weather here must be colder than any place on earth. The men can only stand guard for half-hour shifts at a time and many have frostbite in their toes and fingers. Strangely, the Mandan people seem comfortable in this weather, some stay out all night hunting without fire. Perhaps the furs and skins they wear are better suited to this purpose.

A few days ago we accompanied some of their warriors on a buffalo hunt. The Mandans are magnificent horsemen and archers and they easily killed at least thirty-five fat steer. Our men on foot were less lucky, but we managed to shoot ten animals. Unfortunately, by the time we returned with rope to drag them back to camp, wolves had eaten five of our kills. The hunters are somewhat disheartened, but the taste of fresh buffalo steak should raise all our spirits tonight.
— Meriwether Lewis