To make a not very long story even less long, that prediction proved out. I was able to run to the top. (average 26% slope (max 37%) for .25 miles, on a rough single track). I wasn't worth a crap once I got there, as my overall time was probably slower than when I would walk parts. Regardless, I conquered it. Now, to repeat. And do it faster. And do the whole lasso faster. And no blow chunks in the process.
See ya Sunday on McTarnahan.