Thanks for the greenie Karl. I always love days where the peaks are in and out of the clouds like that. Sometimes we get lucky with just the right photo ops.
Thanks for the green. It does have to be super sharp. If not, it glances (bounces) off at such an angle and makes it super dangerous. The test is shaving with it (preferably your hand or forearm). It's a continuous process of learning / adjusting the swing.
thanks for the praise! I had no mountaineering or climbing experience before the trip and had only done maybe 15 4k footers in winter before this past season (yet was able to do a winter presi traverse by March). Given a lofty goal and some time to train you'll surprise yourself!