hey simplecycle,

it sounds like you'll have plenty of time before you get to this stinker of a hill to communicate with the folks in your pack that you will need some "space" to tackle the climb.

if it is a tight pack you may want to drop off the end of for the climb rather than get stuck in the middle.

for short steep climbs i focus a lot on pulling back on my pedal stroke and also try muttering a motivational phrase of some kind to keep my breathing steady.

good luck!

traveller