Sorry about the thread drift here - but am I the only one who can't help spoonerising the title?!! :O :}

WR/Mark

Yes indeed, there are actually 3 needles on that altimeter, and it is reading 10,900 feet.

Well done Dark Star!
10900', full throttle and zero ROC!
One is forced to fly close to the mountain sides in order to try and extract some lift from the up-currents in order to gain enough height to make it over some of the ridges en route. Sometimes two or three attempts are required, and sometimes you'll think you've got it nailed when you get hit by a sudden down draft and have to do it all again!
Sometimes the spoonerism alluded to is quite appropriate!