Ok, so the results come out tomorrow...can't wait. In fact since I could not wait, early last week I checked on entering the Zone from the west and exit through portal. I checked dates of entry from cottonwood lakes and the itinerary we would do and sure enough, entry and exit dates for a 7 day, 6 night leisurely tour were available, so we booked it! We are doing one night at cottonwood south fork lake, over new army, overnight at lower rock creek, overnight at crabtree meadow, 2 nights above guitar (a rest day in between), a 3am rise up to trail crest, drop packs and summit, back to the crest, grab packs and overnight at trailcamp and down to portal the next morning where our burgers and fries will be waiting. We are in no hurry and there will be ample days to acclimate on the trail before the summit. If I do get a lottery permit I'll probably just let it go back into the system since we are already set for this x-country tour.
