Climbing
Rock Climbing has become a very popular sport in the recent years.Rock Climbing has become a very popular sport in recent years. There are many things to learn about Rock Climbing before you go for the first time. For beginners, we recommend going to an Indoor Rock-Climbing Gym. Outdoor Rock Climbing tends to need a good amount of gear and someone that knows how to set up the anchoring system. There are a few different typdes of Rock Climbing that you will hear about.
- Trad Climbing
- Sport/Lead Climbing
- Free Solo
- Top Roping
- Bouldering
Rock Climbing Route Difficulty System
Rock Climbing uses a rating system to explain different difficulties in climbing routes.
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| One | Walking an established flat, easy trail. |
| Two | Hiking a steep incline, scrambling, maybe using your hands. |
| Three | Climbing a steep hillside, moderate exposure, a rope may be carried but not used, and hands are used in climbing. A short fall could be possible. |
| Four | It is steeper yet, exposed and most people use a rope due to the potential of long falls. This is how ever not quite vertical yet. |
| Five | Climbing is technical and belayed roping with protection is required. It is not for a novice. Any fall from a Class 5 could be fatal. This is when the ascension is vertical. |
Subcategories
| Category | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5.1-5.4 | Easy | A steep section that has large handholds and footholds. Suitable for beginners. |
| 5.5-5.8 | Intermediate | Small footholds and handholds. Low-angle to vertical terrain. Beginner to intermediate rock climbing skills required. |
| 5.9-5.10 | Hard | Technical and/or vertical, and may have overhangs. These hard climbs require specific climbing skills that most weekend climbers can attain. |
| 5.11-5.12 | Hard to Difficult | Technical and vertical, and may have overhangs with small holds. Dedicated climbers may reach this level with lots of practice. |
| 5.13-5.15 | Very Difficult | Strenuous climbing that’s technical and vertical, and may have overhangs with small holds. These routes are for expert climbers who train regularly and have lots of natural ability. |
| 6.0 | Can’t be free climbed | Devoid of hand- and footholds, the route can only be aid-climbed. An added rating of A1 through A5 further designates difficulty level. |