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Can anyone explain to the methods used when rating a route in rock climbing?
Who rates the rates and what do the route names symbolize, such as F9+, E4, that type of thing? I see these in articles in Mens Journal and some outdoor and adventure magazines and books I read and have never understood it, I looked for explinations online and couldnt find any. What’s the easiest routes rated and what are the hardest routes rated?
and like the 5.14, 5.15, 5.7 etc
Ok, there’s different rating systems, for different parts of the world, and also for different types of climbing.
In for rock climbing in North America, we start at 5.0. 4th class means it’s a lower angle and generally you don’t have to rope up for it, although you may want to. 3rd class is even easier. 5.3-5.7 is easy. 5.7-510 is intermediate. After 5.10, it goes 5.10a, 510b, 510c, 510d, 511a, 511b and so on. I believe the world’s hardest route is so far is a 5.15a. The rating refers to the hardest single move on the route, but if the whoe route is hard or tiring or involves some crazy move it gets a “+” (like 5.9+) If the protection is runnout it gets an “R” if the protection is poor it gets and “x”. Ratings depend on where you are because they are all relevant to other climbs in the area.
For ice climbing it WI (waterfall ice) WI 1 can be climbed with just crampons and single mountain ax. WI 5 is completely vertical with very few ledges. Again, these are all relevant to the area.
Mixed climbing gets an M rating. I’m not sure, all I know is I seconded an M6 and it was pretty tough. There’s a few M8′s where I live.
For aid climbing, A0 is a free climb that you aid because you suck, lol, like I do sometimes. A5 relies competely on hooks and stuff that i don’t really know much about, but sounds really scary (no good protection).
E2 (British( = 5,10c/d =20/21 Australian = 6b/6+ France
Just Google “climbing grading conversion” and you can look it up.
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