By the way, I believe that lateral means side-to-side, horizontal, left and right only, not up and down. Examples:
- Circles of latitude run local East-West, not local North-South.
- In American football, a lateral pass does not advance the ball down the field.
Obviously, something other than lateral moves are required to get from start to finish, and Charlie has demonstrated that vertical, up-and-down, longitudinal(?) moves are sufficient. No need to employ the dreaded and complicated diagonal.
I'm just saying.
Also, nice puzzle, Brian.