Yay- another "dirty biker." I, too, just started riding a couple months ago and I'm hooked! It's so different than road riding- so much more adventerous and dangerous- I like that part.
Congrats on your first VERY hilly and challenging ride! Sounds like an amazing ride and you handled it like a champ. And don't worry about walking some parts. We all do it sometimes. I walked down a 20 ft drop yesterday that was all washed out and had major ruts. Sometimes it's better to walk than to risk really hurting yourself!
When you get a new bike, we better be seeing it!!!!