Answer: It was because Arachne kept on bragging that she was the best weaver.
Explanation: Athena cursed Arachne into a spider because she kept bragging about how she can weave beautiful tapestries. So one day Athena disguised herself as an old woman and had a weaving competition. Arachne was being super rude to the old woman (aka Athena), and when so many people liked the old woman's better, Arachne was jealous and she ripped Athena's tapestry. Soon, Athena revealed herself and cursed Arachne to be a spider so she can weave webs/learn her lesson. This is where the word 'arachnid' came from.
Arachne was known throughout her village as an extraordinary weaver. She bragged throughout her village of her talent - but one day, she went too far and said she had more talent then Athena! However, Athena was the god of weaving. They commenced to challenge each other to a weaving contest - but even though Athena was the god of weaving, nobody could tell whose was better! They were of equal quality! But Arachne decided that she couldn't deal with life anymore and tried to hang herself. Athena wouldn't have it and cursed her into a spider - kinder than what she could've been, because she could still somewhat use her weaving skills as a spider.
B.) The pioneers crossed the mountains in late fall when the trees were bare and the views were good.
The trail was arduous and snaked through a large area until Oregon. So, the pioneers had to consider weather conditions to move, or the trail would turn into worst with the snow.
