Congratulations!!
Conquering OLH the first time is kind of a local rite of passage, isn't it? I think one thing that makes it easier is riding with more experienced riders who help you pace yourself, and keep you going during the steep pitches. IIRC, I tried it twice and failed before some friends took me to the top.
The funny thing is, I had no idea how close I was to the top the second "try and fail". I was only 1/2 mile from the top when I turned around.
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"Don't take life so serious-it ain't nohow permanent."
"Everybody's gotta be somewhere." - Eccles