Agoracom

There wasn't too much profit to be made from the short side, so cragratulations if you made money. I disagree with your assertions that a "consoldation or continuation pattern usually takes place over weeks to months rather than years"; below are some outstanding moves to the upside with stocks that has a multi-year consolidation pattern:

For 14 months, MSFT traded between $27 and  $31 before busting higher.

Barrick traded ina consolidation between $27 - $35 a share for 1.5 years and in fact much longerif you look at a more extended chart.

Quite simple, consolidations can take much longer than days or more; they can take years.