The race first reached high altitude on the ninth edition in 1910 when it passed the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees. Not satisfied with that height, Desgrange the following year introduced his favoured Col du Galibier in the Alps, which summited at via a single-laned tunnel that first opened in 1891. At the time, Desgrange eulogised over the Galibier in comparison to the Tourmalet and other climbs, saying: Oh Sappey, oh Laffrey, oh Bayard, oh Tourmalet! I will not shirk from my duty in proclaiming that compared to the Galibier you are no more than pale and vulgar babies; faced with this giant we can do no more than tip our hats and bow! The Galibier was the highest point of elevation in each Tour to 1937, which led it to become one of the most iconic climbs in the race. The 1938 race went higher up to the Alpine Col de l'Iseran at . Various Alpine passes, including the Galibier, were the highest points reached in Tours until the 1962 race saw a new high of at the Cime de la Bonette in the Alps, a short loop road which forks from the summit of the Col de la Bonette. s of 2019[ [update]], this remains the highest point of elevation reached by the Tour de France. Since 1962, all the highest points of Tours bar one have remained above , using passes in the high Alps and Pyrenees.