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Taken just after we reached Trail Crest, which is just 1.9 miles and 1000 ft below the summit; however, there was still plenty of challenge ahead. I've never heard wind so intense - it sounded like a huge jet engine or blast furnace. The gusts would literally knock us over even with our hiking poles offering some stability. We stopped just below the ridge in a relative calm windbreak and had a snack. At this point it was only myself and Matt remaining from our group. Many other groups turned around at this point. Shortly down the ridge I also lost Matt due to cold/wind. There were about a dozen other hikers in my vicinity that made it up to the peak.