Is there a easy to understand source that breaks down numerical grading system for climbs?

Is there a easy to understand source that breaks down numerical grading system for climbs?

Just don't understand it. I can get class 4 or 5 rapids. But have no idea how they come up with the climbing #'s.

The harder the climb, the higher the rating. That is all.

Jay

It's a highly subjective "system." You'll go insane if you try to use it for anything other than a general impression of difficulty.

Yes, understand that.

Guess that is why no one can splain it? I wonder who came up with it?

Then there are historical grades. Old school "5.9+"

Seriously? A whole website full of so called experienced climbers and no one can explain it to the guy? Here's a qucik breakdown. There are six classes of hiking/climbing....that's the number before the decimal.

Class 1 - walking on a flat, maintained trail

Class 2 - steep trail hiking with some rock steps

Class 3 - Using hands and feet for upward or downward movement. Steep. Some fall potential, but generally people will not need to rope up.

Class 4 - steep exposed rock scrambling. A fall will result in serious injury or death. Most people will want to be roped up.

Class 5 - technical rock climbing, roped up, split into pitches, etc etc

Class 6 - Direct aid climbing. Using climbing equipment for direct aid to help you ascend.

Then the numbers after the decimal. Someone above broke that down pretty well.

If there is Roman numeral before or after, it measures the commitment level of the climb as a whole, including the approach.

I - one or two pitches with an easy approach. Most parties will take an hour or two

II - 3 or more pitches, often with some approach time. Average parties will take up to half a day

III - 4 or more pitches, frequently with a longer approach. Average parties will take half to 3/4 of a day.

IV - a full day of climbing. Slow parties may overnight. Approach could be arduous

V - long alpine routes. approaches could be long. Most parties will spend at least one night on the wall

VI - The biggest alpine walls in the world. Serious difficulties, remote settings, several days to weeks on the wall.

Of course there are other things that come into play with commitment, such as ease of retreat, etc. These are just Yosemite decimal system ratings. Once you go to another country, you'll have to figure out their system. Try the UK....holy obscure Batman!

Hope that helps somewhat. I'm not expert, but I think that description is close.

RR

HVS has always been my favorite

I - one or two pitches with an easy approach. Most parties will take an hour or two

II - 3 or more pitches, often with some approach time. Average parties will take up to half a day

III - 4 or more pitches, frequently with a longer approach. Average parties will take half to 3/4 of a day.

IV - a full day of climbing. Slow parties may overnight. Approach could be arduous

V - long alpine routes. approaches could be long. Most parties will spend at least one night on the wall

VI - The biggest alpine walls in the world. Serious difficulties, remote settings, several days to weeks on the wall.

work they gave up and started in on numbers above 10. This time however they were smarter and figured to add in an a,b,c,d to try and hedge their bets.