While conditions ahead were indeed easier, I now came upon a new form of obstacle - overhanging rocks. From the inside of the cab, it looked like there was no way I would have enough clearance to pass under the outcroppings, so I got out to investigate. Things looked much better on the outside. With careful navigating, I had enough clearance. After a series of steep climbs and descents where I had to stop at each crest in the road to evaluate the conditions ahead, I finally came to a relatively level stretch of road.