The members of the Lewis and Clark expedition remained at Fort Clatsop from December 7, 1805, until March 23, 1806. Perhaps the most important activity undertaken during their winter here was the reworking of the journals by the leaders, and the preparation of organized accounts of the scientific data gathered during the journey. Life at the fort was far from pleasant. It rained every day but 12 of the 106 days at Fort Clatsop. Clothing rotted and fleas infested the furs and hides of the bedding. Health conditions were difficult at best during this long and damp winter.
Lewis was in charge of most of the medical care for the 32 men who remained in the cramped quarters of Fort Clatsop. The members of the expedition continued to prepare for the return trip that would take some expedition members to family and friends, others to wealth and fame. Some were so affected by "going native" that they remained in the wilderness for the remainder of their lives. Everyone involved in the Lewis and Clark Expedition gained a place in history. To the end of their days, this team of Native Americans, black, white male, female and child shared a common goal and vivid memories of their epic journey across a continent.
The clouds and rain lifted briefly while we remained at the sight of Fort Clatsop. This National Park has a living history program, where members of the Park's staff demonstrate some of the frontier skills necessary to survive a winter in the temperate rain forests of the Northwest Coast of the United States.
A British style Brown Bess musket was loaded and fired with a great deal of smoke and theatrics, much to the enjoyment of all in attendance! We stood in a small clearing under the shadow of two very large Sitka spruce trees. These trees most likely stood as small saplings at the time of the Corps of Discovery's long winter stay. The day was gray, slightly misty, with occasional sun, similar to the conditions that the Lewis and Clark Expedition experienced 195 years ago.
