Side note to Bob. I'm curious about your 3,000' gain route up Mt. Rose. I've been up there via four different routes, the longest starting at Galena Creek Park. Did you start by the NDOT station?
For many years, we started at the hairpin turn just below the NDOT station and the Sky Tavern ski area. Vic usually started there, but he started from Galena Creek Park a few times. One time, he started from his house, which is east of the Thomas Creek trailhead.
We even held annual races between IGT employees starting there. The races involved endless trash-talking, ball-busting, and crazy bets. I won $40 from one guy where my handicap was that I had to carry a 33-pound pack. In 2001 I won $100 from a relay team of four much younger guys. I don’t think any of the old IGT regulars climb that route anymore. I usually start from the Mt. Rose summit and include Church Peak when I go.
