We did the 1951 First Traverse that you mentioned. We=me=Karl Gustafson=16 years old and a rock climber from Boulder, and Bob Allen=my Boy Scout Master and CU student. I gave a short account in the Colorado Mountain Club'd Trail and Timberline 404(1952)119-121. Thanks for mentioning that you found our two cairns. We stayed (essentially) on top all the way ( no basin-dropping). We completed the traverse but had to bail ( as you noted) after most of the way through the gendarmes due to a dangerous lightning storm. I am sure we could have scrambled up Snowmass given a chance. As it was for you, it was a great adventure.