Ken, thanks for the trip reports about alternative routes up to the Summit, especially the notation about the lack of a retreat option. Unfortuantely, I have needed the retreat option. You and I have spoken before, but I wasn't aware that you have similar acclimitization problems.
So, it sounds like weekend overnight 8-10K sleeping opportunities prior to the hike are important, including the immediate weekend before are key. And it sounds like the MT is my best option.
As for the comment about sleep deprivation, both my experiences would make for good anecdotal evidence for your theory. On that first trip, when we left that early, neither I nor my sister were able to sleep much. The winds were fierce at Trail Camp that night and we hardly slept at all. We both made the decision that we might as well get up hiking. On the second trip, I probably slept 4-5 hours the night before. I'm normally a very sound sleeper, but not the night before a big hike. My mind is too busy anticipating what is to come.
