Pretty quickly you are climbing at 10 to 12% and despite a number of welcome respites and one downhill bit the incline stays very steep to the top.
Much quieter than the Aubisque - not many people live up Hautacam.
Despite the tough climbing you are actually going past farmers fields until pretty much the top.
And the "top" is a huge tarmac area ready for the next TdeF visit plus a sign celebrating the stage winners. Two of the names are scribbled out as they were done on drugs.
Very few cyclists on this climb and not a single motobike past me in two hours.
Overall: v.tough, unrewarding top/ views, a good training mountain.
