If I could throw something else into the ring.

The ramp was not the only reason for NOT to pick up the claims at the bottom end of Windfall. As I recall there are 2 long narrow pockets of good grade gold on the east side of the bottom of Windfall. One of the reasons for the length of the ramp it to be able to go i and mine those 2 gold pockets. Now I am told there are several more on both sides hence the length and number of detours from the main ramp that are involved.

So it was not just for the ramp. This is also stated in an NR. If you want to read it I think it may be in the first nr where they  discuss the ramp and one or two nrs after that.

Don