Todays ride was all about big climbs , bugs, Indian battlefields, more bugs, then the headwind from hell in the big hole, Thunderstorms, intense heat, rain, dust and then I met up with anthony again in jackson suffering with exhaustion . He was the guy with the broken wheel yesterday. He'd been through the same hellish ride I had from wisdom to Jackson on a crappy mtb no food or water or money. I was really worried he could die out here and there is another big climb to get out of the big hole tomorrow. I bought him a drink gave him Ice creAM BREAd peanut butter jelly and chips at least he'd have half a chance. Earlier I had stopped at the battlefield at big hole where I think the local indian tribe the nez perce got wiped out by the us army. The chief Joseph pass was easier than I thought so I must be getting fitter..as this was over 7000ft and its the first of two continental divides I must cross. As soon as I got over the pass and into the area called big hole I was eaten by bugs. Big hole is a huge crater like areA surrounded by mountIns 360 degrees. In the hole its just one huge swamp and the bugs are everywhere. They should call it bug hole not big hole. As I type there is a big thunderstorm going on. I just got my tent up in time. I am pitched on the school basketball pitch in Jackson montana. The lady at the local store said it was ok and nobody would mind.