Those pix really show it was a steady climb... congrats!

How long/what distance was the actual climb in photo?

Stopping is fine... I made a pact with myself not long after I started riding that I would not walk up hills anymore. I would stop if I needed to, and then, as soon as I was able, i would hop back on and ride a bit more.

For me it was a HUGE psychological advantage because i had not walked one centimetre... I had ridden the entire way.

Awesome Jiffer!