"So here is the question. How do you climbers approach a hill you have never climbed before?"

Several answers. If I am near Google Earth, I look up the route and figure out what its like because Google Earth has elevation and path distance data as you point with the mouse. Based on that, I approach as if I had climbed it before from previous experiences.

If I don't know it at all, I ask other riders on the way. If no other riders, and I know its going to be several miles with switchbacks, I pay close attention to body mechanics...good form.

As far as equipment, I really like my new Rotor Q rings. It really does cut out the dead spots and on climbs, I need every advantage I can get. I just recently test rode a bike on two separate 30 + mile rides with Dura Ace 7900 and what a difference it makes without those oval rings. I believe its Carlos Sastre who used the Q Rings last year at the TdF and this year at the Giro d'Italia, winning two climbing stages.