An incredible and, at times, gruelling climb which begins immediately. Each km is announced by the white, yellow tipped headstone to count down the remaining distance to Le Summot and the average gradient of the km ahead and a stretch from the 14 km is when the gradient is unrelenting which leaves the forest and into the moonscape for the last 3km. An incredible experience and feeling of real achievement which will take 3 hours or thereabouts.  The descent should be treated with respect, otherwise you will join the 'too many' who have 'come a cropper'.