Ah....we are back to the "What If'ing" againl
Now we are being told the climb to 4,000 feet was intended to complete the flight to the destination.
Then there is supposition about a "Hole".
Folks....you do not know what the Pilot's thinking was or what his intentions were.....beyond he reported making a climb to 4,000 feet to ATC.
A fair assumption is he was going to get to VFR On Top conditions.
After that.....you are just guessing what he had in mind upon getting back to VFR conditions.