RE: Automatics
Mike, about the time you were on your trip I was doing a trip with my '90
Westy automatic, heavily loaded, to a location I drive to several times a
year.  The last 12 miles go from about 2,200 feet to over 6,300 feet on
narrow and very winding road, very slow going.  I'm down to second gear from
the start of the climb and better than half that pull is done in 1st gear on
the automatic.  And not over revving, max around 3,800 rpm.  The automatic
does just fine.  The Westy warms up, radiator fan on and occasionally on
high, what I call 'propeller' mode.  Coming back off that mountain is about
the same, part in 1st gear, most in second so that I have brakes all the way
and still when I hit the bottom.  I've never seen any reason to not use the
automatic just like I'd use a stick (and I drove this same route many time
with a manual in my '85.  I understand the feeling about an automatic (am I
about to blow a seal?) but I don't like to lug an engine when pulling a
grade.  I've always figured I'd rather stress a transmission (cheaper to
repair) than blow an engine.