Cook Saddle is a climb of 4.0 kilometers (category 2). The climb finishes at 423 m above sea level. It is located in Fox Glacier, West Coast, New Zealand / Aotearoa. The average gradient is 6.9% with a maximum of 12.3%. The climb has 274 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: This 4 km climb with 274 m of elevation gain averages 6.9%, which puts it in Category 2. The profile is very steady, bouncing between 4% and 8% over the whole route, with only one easier section between km 0.5 and 1.0 at 4%. The start is particularly steep at 8% for the first 500 metres, and the final stretch comes back at 8% for the last kilometre, so the effort stays hard all the way to the top. This is a demanding col that calls for disciplined pacing over the entire distance.
Tips for the effort:
1. Control the start. Don't get carried away by the adrenaline in the first 500 metres at 8%. Settle into a steady cadence to save your legs.
2. Recover between km 0.5 and 1.0. This 4% section is the perfect chance to sit up, get your breathing back under control and take a drink before the tougher stretch ahead.
3. Save something for the finish. The last kilometre, between km 3.5 and 4.0 at 8%, is the hardest part of the climb, so keep some energy in the tank to attack it.
4.0 km • 274 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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