hen we look at the reasons that led the Corps to choose to stay the winter at Fort Clatsop it is evident that some of these proved to be worthwhile, while others did not.

Read these passages from Lewis and Clark’s journals and evaluate their decision. What did they gain from being on the coast? What comforts did they possibly miss out on that they might have found somewhere else?

Fort Clatsop, National Park Service

This morning we dispatched Drewyer and two men in our indian canoe up the Columbia River to take Sturgion and Anchovey. or if they were unsucksessfull in fishing we directed them to purchase fish from the nativs, for which purpose we had furnished them with a fiew articles Such as the nativs are pleased with. we also Sent Shields Jo. Field and Shannon up the Netul to hunt Elk. and directed Reubin Field and Some other man to hunt in the point towards the Praries & Point Adams. thus we hope Shortly to replenish our Stock of provisions which is now reduced to a mear minnamum. we have three days provisions only in Store and that of the most inferior dried Elk a little tainted. what a prospect for good liveing at Fort Clatsop at present. (Clark, from Moulton V.6, 353)

-William Clark, February 26th, 1806

Altho’ we have not fared Sumptuously this winter and spring at Fort Clatsop, we have lived quite as comfortably as we had any reason to expect we should; and have accomplished every object which induced our remaining at this place except that of meeting with the traders who visit the entrance of this river. our salt will be very sufficient to last us to the Missouri where we have stock in store. (Lewis, from Moulton V.6, 441)

-William Clark, March 20th, 1806

at 1 P. M. left Fort Clatsop on our homeward bound journey. at this place we had wintered and remained from the 7th of Decr. 1805 to this day and have lived as well as we had any right to expect, and we can Say that we were never one day without meals of Some kind a day either pore Elk meat or roots, not withstanding the repeeted fall of rain which has fallen almost Constantly Since we passed the long narrows on the [blank] of Novr. last indeed w[e] have had only [blank] days fair weather since that time. (Clark, from Moulton V.7, 8)

-William Clark, March 23rd, 1806

Fort Clatsop, National Park Service — Photo Archives

From March 31st to April 7th the Corps camped at Washougal. Here they gathered supplies and prepared to head upriver. Had the vote gone another way, this likely could have been the spot for the winter camp. How would their experience have been different had they chosen to stay at Washougal or perhaps Celilo Falls? Imagine what life at a mythical “Fort Multnomah” or a “Narrows Fort” would have been like. Compare what you know of conditions at these places with those at Fort Clatsop. In hindsight, did the Corps make the best decision?