Just another idea:
I live in a flat area and recently did a tour in Vermont.
We did some steep climbs (specifically Middlebury Gap) and were able to do so because we supplemented our training by using this DVD from Spinervals. You will hate him, but it really did help us.

A couple of times my Garmin indicated a 17% grade so it was no cake walk.

http://www.amazon.com/Spinervals-Com.../dp/B001E3DLE4