We have the opposite sort of problem. Thom climbs faster than me - both on and off road, but then somewhere in the middle of the climb - especially on the mtb, will be doing the gasping, panting thing and need to stop. Wheras I seem to be able to climb forever, just at the edge of my lactate threshhold.

Personally I think Spin class and Spinerval videos helped me to develop the ability to sit on the edge of being anaerobic for a long time. Now that the weather is good, try to do teh same climb, but slower, see if that helps any.

V.