At the bottom of the valley I turned onto Chief Joseph highway (296) northwest and soon after startet the 26k (15 miles) long climb up to Dead Indian Pass at 2,7k (8,000 feet). 6-7 percent average incline and never a flat stretch to get a break..... and on top of this 36C (97F) in the shade - maybe 10C more in the sun - and hardly any wind the day I actually needed it...