Open Road Press

July 16, Day 14 of TheHopeLine Tour of 2014

We suspected with a name like Hells Canyon that we could expect some challenges ahead. We also knew it wasn’t a good sign when we left the campsite late after a night of camping. What we perhaps underestimated was the heat of the day, suggesting we should have paid more attention to the place’s name: Hells Canyon. We’ve dealt with the 100-degree readings the past several days, but this one would really take its toll.

The ride started innocently enough, with beautiful scenery on our ride out of Oregon, our first state. Debbie shares some brief thoughts on this video blurb about our tour in Oregon, taken in front of the Snake River, just downstream from the Brownlee Dam.

A few miles down the road, we stopped to engage with a couple from Scotland. They had much to share since they had completed most of their Transamerica crossing. While we chatted, and while the clock continued to tick, the mercury headed farther up the tube. Another impromptu roadside discussion slowed us more. Nevertheless, there was plenty of scenery to enjoy despite the heat. This panoramic video gives you a flavor for the area.

By the time we had arrived at the steep climb out of the canyon, it was well over 100 degrees. We stopped to cool down, eat, and reenergize and refocus. After a great meal, the hosts sent us out into the heat with full bottles of ice and water. We were ready.

Two hours later, we had crept up the entire hill, but the heat had taken its toll. We stopped our day short, only 40 miles on the day. But we had made it out of Hells Canyon alive.