My quest was to talk to the greybeards for the FIRST TIME. However, instead of taking the casual way of the 7000 steps, I thought why not summon arvak and go straight up the mountain instead of walking around it.
Now I've reached the THROAT OF THE WORLD without the need of the CLEAR SKIES shout (I'm not even at the quest to get that shout!)
Thought this was a neat little feature I'd share!