This is the first time in years that I found someone to film me climbing this monster hill in San Pedro, CA, so there are no cuts and the person filming followed along as I went up. At over 31% grade, this little-known walk path shares company with the top 10 of the steepest streets on Earth! It’s 293 feet long with 93 feet elevation gain. That means everytime the wheel makes a single revolution, I climb a full 2 feet!
At 68, I I didn’t think it would be possible to make it to the top, and my first attempt failed 3/4 of the way up when I accidentally ran into ice plant that was growing on to the path. I was already pretty tired out after that first try but decided to do it again. This video shows my second and final attempt. I think only sheer willpower kept me going.
and just for a little comparative perspective, today, the maximum grade for federally funded highways in the United States is generally 6%. However, mountainous roads with speed limits below 60 mph can have grades up to 7%. The maximum gradient of local roads is usually restricted by local ordinance and will be on the order of 12% to 15% slope.