Most people haven't the vaguest idea how hard that is even after seeing picks. The GS is a HUGE, ponderous, clumsy motorcycle. I've ridden them and always wondered what would posses a man, let alone scores of riders all over the world (including Ewan McGregor who has written books on the topic) to take a GS (yes - even the Adventure) on anything worse than a tame logging road. Damage to man and/or machine is a certainty.
the pucker factor on this was what....about 11?
My BMW does nothing more technical than gravel, hence my search for a nice, light-weight (relative to a GS) 690 KTM. Still carries gear and weighs about a buck 50 less. - The 990 is nice too, (but maybe a little big) like this guy who was with you -
Did he get sick of waiting on the GS guys?
You, sir, have balls. BIG ones.