the vanguard company now faced a more rugged and hazardous journey, and were concerned about negotiating the passes of the rocky mountains. they had received conflicting advice, but young chose to follow the trail used by the donner-reed party on their journey to california the previous year. shortly after leaving fort bridger, the group met trapper miles goodyear, who owned a trading post at the mouth of the weber river. he was enthusiastic about the agricultural potential of the large weber valley. during the trip through the rugged mountains, the vanguard company divided into three sections. since crossing the green river, several members of the party had suffered from a fever, generally accepted as a "mountain fever" probably induced by wood ticks. young himself became ill soon after meeting goodyear. the small sick detachment lagged behind the larger group, and a scouting division was created to move ahead on the designated route.