brigham young organized a vanguard company to break the trail west to the rocky mountains, gather information about trail conditions, including water sources and native tribes, and to ultimately select the central gathering point in the great basin. the initial company would select and break the primary trail with the expectation that later pioneers would maintain and improve it. it was hoped that the group could, wherever possible, establish fords and ferries and plant crops for later harvest. in late february, plans were made to gather portable boats, maps, scientific instruments, farm implements and seeds. techniques for irrigating crops were investigated. a new route on the north side of the platte river was chosen to avoid major interaction with travelers using the established oregon trail on the river's south side. given the needs of the large volume of saints who would travel west, church leaders decided to avoid potential conflicts over grazing rights, water access and campsites.