Originally Posted by ericgu
Yep. You "tack" back and forth at a 45 degree angle, or even more if you're dying.
A 45 degree angle? That would be a 100% grade!! The steepest paved road I have yet seen is 28% and the steepest dirt road was 33%. There are very few paved roads in the USA or anywhere else for that matter that are over 30% or even 20% or even 10%. I even doubt whether there is a paved road that is over 40% for any meaningful distance.
Personally, I don't like tacking. Most people tack into the other lane of traffic. When someone is tacking they are often pretty much beat and they don't really pay attention. I think it is probably better to just get off the bike and walk. If the hill is that steep, it probably will not be very long.