Col de la Lombarde : 2351 m

00:00:00 • Colman • Comment posted on 24/11/2014

This was my first real Alpine col in 2010 to be followed during the same day by the cols de Larche and Bonette - a well known circuit 'the 3 cols'. Unfortunately had to start the climb 'cold' from Isola village. The first 5 steep kms were made in survival mode after which the climb eased up as my legs warmed up and the gradient reduced.
Until Isola 2000 the road is in good condition and wide but without any interesting scenery or other virtues except the gradient. Isola 2000 is an eyesore - as are most ski stations when there isn't any snow. After the ski station the road narrows and steepens on open mountain sides to the col - for me this is the best part of the climb where I've seen chamoix and other wildlife.