Brief report:
The 2005 Sierra Challenge group left sharply at 5:00AM. Steve Brezovec and I left at 5:08AM from the Shepherds Pass trailhead. Just a bit beyond after the first major saddle, I had to stop to put on tape on my feet blisters. Then, just after Anvil Camp, I stopped to eat. I was able to see the group going up towards Shepherds Pass but didn't catch up to them until I got to lake 3806-meter just below Junction Peak's south slope. While Michael Graupe, Eric Lee, Steve B and Mark went up via the south, sand-slogged slope, I opted to traverse NW towards the saddle at the north end of Diamond Mesa to pick up the South Ridge of Junction Peak. As I was traversing up from lake 3806-meter, I waved to Bob Burd as he was above me coming from Diamond Mesa and heading towards the South Ridge of Junction Peak too. Bob got to the summit at 11:25AM and I got there 5 minutes later at 11:30AM. Shortly thereafter, Michael G, Eric L and Steve B got to the north summit, while Mark stayed at the south summit. Bob B and Michael G headed down at 12:00PM, while Eric L, Steve B and I stayed there another 10 minutes (drying out socks, snacking, additional pictures). Michael G, Mark and Steve B went out the same way they came in via Shepherds Pass. Bob B, Eric L and I descended an east chute and picked up a trail down to The Pothole. Eric L and I ran into Mark, Michael G, and Steve B at Anvil Camp. From there on, most people were jogging, fast-walking down to the trailhead. I arrived at the trailhead at 4:36PM (11hrs 28 min after leaving it in the morning). All in all, a fun day in the mountains.
Additional info about climbing Junction Peak can be found here.