How does the grading system for indoor climbing work?
The indoor climbing grading system uses colors and numbers to indicate the difficulty of climbing routes on an indoor climbing wall. The grading system can vary from gym to gym, but there are some general guidelines that are followed. The most common grading systems are the French grading system and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS).
- French grading system: In the French grading system, routes are graded on a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being the most difficult. Each grade is further divided into sub-grades of a, b, and c. For example, a route graded 5a would be easier than a route graded 5b, and so on.
- Yosemite Decimal System (YDS): In the YDS, routes are graded on a scale from 5.0 to 5.15, with 5.0 being the easiest and 5.15 being the most difficult. The first number in the grade indicates the difficulty of the crux move, while the second number indicates the overall difficulty of the route. For example, a route graded 5.10a would have a crux move that is relatively easy, but the overall route would be more challenging than a route graded 5.9.
When choosing a route to climb, it is important to consider your own climbing ability. If you are a beginner, it is best to stick with routes that are graded in the lower range of the difficulty scale. As you become more experienced, you can start to tackle more challenging routes.
FAQs:
- What is the easiest climbing grade? 5.0 or 1
- What is the hardest climbing grade? 5.15 or 9c
- What does the letter “a”,”b” or “c” mean in French grading system? Different levels of the same grade, eg. 5a is easier than 5b
- What is the difference between crux move and overall route difficulty? Crux move is the single hardest move on a route while overall route difficulty is the combined difficulty of all the moves on a route
- Why do climbing grades vary between climbing gyms? Because climbing gyms use different grading systems and setting styles.
5 popular climbing gear brands and their categories:
- Black Diamond: Harnesses, ropes, and other climbing equipment
- Petzl: Headlamps, harnesses, and other climbing equipment
- Mammut: Ropes, harnesses, and other climbing equipment
- Edelrid: Ropes, harnesses, and other climbing equipment
- La Sportiva: Climbing shoes
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