Mapping America – The Story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Venture into Unknown Territories Begins

The journey that would eventually cover about 8,000 miles began on May 14, 1804. It started in St. Louis, Missouri, and progressed to the Pacific Coast. Along the way, Clark mapped the route and oversaw the men, while Lewis collected specimens of animals and plants and made scientific observations.

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(Illustration by Ed Vebell/Getty Images)

Because the trip proved to be a strenuous one, the party only made 12 to 14 miles per day. They lived and slept outdoors, rowed both the keelboat and the smaller boats up the river, and hunted for food while sometimes fending off clouds of mosquitoes.

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