On September 11, they set off to cross the last great barrier – the Bitterroot Range – by what is now called the Lolo Pass. They thought they had made good preparations, but they did expect to catch and eat game. However, there was already snow on the ground and there was no game to hunt. They become so low on food they had to kill some horses just to stop themselves starving.
On September 20 they came down from this range – the last of the Rockies. They were now in a very bad way. Fortunately they met a band of Nez Perce, who gave them shelter and food.
