The James G. Willie Handcart Company was rescued on October 21, 1856, by a rescue party sent by Brigham Young. Twenty-one members of the Willie Company perished in this valley because of a severe winter storm and lack of clothing and food. Captain Willie went in search of the rescuers, and when he returned with the wagons, it was recorded that cries of joy rent the air. Most of the rescuers and wagons then continued to the Martin Handcart Company, which had also become stranded about 70 miles east at Martin's Cove. The still weakened Willie Company climbed Rocky Ridge on October 22, 1856, and deep snows, chilling winds, and starvation turned the 15-mile passage over the trail's most difficult section into a 27-hour journey to Rock Creek, where 15 more pioneers died.