4th day in the Alps...being tagged as the crazy guy

well, - there was no 4th day in the Alps for us.
However, I said to myself I will probably not be here again for some time, so getting up early in the morning, before leaving back to the airport, I got up and climbed the Alpe dHuez again.

this, again was tough, but I knew what to expect, so not as bad as yesterday.
however - you can see in the pictures I took of myself, I tried to smile, but actually look quite miserable.
it was worth it!!!!

3rd day in the Alps

the 3rd day was the most impressive, as we did the most scenery Col De Galibier which is 2650m above sea level.
and we also did the Alpe dHuez which is really the most notorious of them all - very difficult, but very rewarding.

2nd day in the Alps

Thanks to Gonnen who prepared this table describing the hills we climbed.

Col name	Category of climb*	Altitude	Average gradient	Maximum gradient	Length of climb
Col des Aravis	2nd	1487m	5.6%	8%	7.5km
Col des Saisies	1st	1650m	5.6%	9.6%	15km
Col de la Madeleine	HC	1993m	6.3%	11%	24.5km
Col du Telegraphe	1st	1566m	7.3%	8.1%	12km
Col du Galibier	HC	2646m	6.9%	10.1%	18km
Alpe d'Huez	HC	1815m	7.9%	10.6	14km

So clearly - the Alpe dHuez is the toughest (and indeed - we could feel it)

Col De Madeleine was a tough one and long. it became steeper when we came to the end of it, plus it was never-ending type of climb.
Telegraph was rather short but quite steep as well, so we got to the top breathless.
Some more pictures:

Well - it had started.

HI all followers: today the Alps Challenge has started. our trip included Col Des Aravis and Col Des Saisies.
Col De Aravis was not to steep to begin with and we moved along quite leisurely, until we hit the steep part which was ok.

Col Des Saisies was long (more than 15Km and steep in places. coming down from both hills was lots of switchbacks and very steep downhill.

the day was sunny and beautiful (we have been promised it will rain tomorrow and Sunday)

at the end of the day we are tired and happy, and looking forward for tomorrow.
Tomorrow - Col De Madelaine (Long and steep), and Col Des Telegraph (Short and Steep[er])
Happy days.