Makes sense. I was thinking that with less weight it would be a little easier to change direction with minimal traction - less mass moving in the wrong direction. And of course that would apply to braking too, especially on such a steep track.I don't think it's the slop as much as the switchbacks and all the starting and stopping.
Anyway, I'm going about it wrong. I think I will stop trying to figure it out and just remain in awe.