Joe:
The climbing gym can indeed be a step in the right direction. You might also want to look into the intro mountaineering course offered by the LA chapter of the Sierra Club, called the
Wilderness Travel Course . I am a graduate, and they focus on the basics of backpacking, Class 2-3 rock (which is what is required on the MR), navigation, and snow travel. It's extremely reasonable price-wise, and it gave me an excellent basis of knowledge on which to build. Courses will start up again after the new year. If you have any questions, drop me a p.m.
Scrambling up the Final 400 is definitely easier than coming down it, but it is nice to have the option (if you're dayhiking) to come down the Main Trail. I disagree with Steve about the no-hands thing. In all the ways I've ascended that chute (snow, mixed, and dry rock), holds were needed and it is easy to lose footing or balance if you're not paying attention (ie: when my friend Ellen fell and I caught her and blocked her into a hole between the rocks to avoid falling further).
As for time, I would answer by asking how you do maintaining your speed on steep terrain. While similar in structure to the Main Trail of steep sections followed by short, lower angle areas, remember the MR gains the same elevation as the MT in about 1/3 to 1/2 the mileage. While I can set up and maintain a good pace on the MT, I find that much more difficult on the MR since I get burned on the steep stuff time and again. I really should go up there and time myself, but I just can't get motivated to climb Whitney, again, for strictly that purpose.
Hope this helps somewhat! Good luck!
-L
