Rock Climbing Routes
Rock Climbing enthusiasts have the entire world as their playground. While it costs a lot of money to pursue rock climbing as a serious hobby, its allure is unlike any other. From the physical endurance to the thrill of exploring new terrain, its rewards are endless.
Perhaps one of the trickiest parts of Rock Climbing is determining where to climb. There are so many routes to choose from all over the world. The routes that you choose are dependent on numerous factors, including the location, weather, difficulty, and the climber’s ability. There are formations well-suited for beginners, while others require intensive climbing experience to be conquered.
Grading scale
Different slopes are meant for different climbers. As climbers vary in their level of expertise, so does the grade of the climb. It is important for beginners, especially, to climb trails that match the level of their ability. Climbing trails or routes are generally classified into six grades or levels, with 1 as the easiest and 6 as the hardest:
Class 1. The most basic of all trails, this comprises of trail
Hiking and only involves walking.
Class 2. Unlike Class 1, Class 2 trails have some rocks present. Hands are used merely for support and no climbing is involved yet.
Class 3. These trails contain rocks, and novice climbers may need to use a rope for support.
Class 4. More difficult rocks are present in Class 4 trails, and a lot of climbers use ropes to assure a safe climb.
Class 5. Usually called “free climbing”, trails of this class require rope and other protective equipment. This class is further subdivided to classify the levels of difficulty within the class:
5.0 – 5.7 is usually the starting point of beginners.
5.8 – 5.9 are trails that require certain climbing skills. This is used mostly by weekend climbers.
5.10 trails are for “dedicated weekend warriors”.
5.11 – 5.14 are for experts and require extensive training.
Class 6. These trails are for professional climbers and require placing artificial aids in the rock.
Weather
As with all other activities, the weather is a big factor in your climb. Although it is possible to climb under different weather conditions, climbers must undergo proper training before climbing in adverse conditions (e.g., rain, snow). There are programs designed for that. It would be advisable for beginners to schedule their climb during dry weather conditions, regardless of the trail’s difficulty.
Online resources
Deciding on which trail to conquer has been made easier due to online resources. Whether you fancy a climb in the Americas, Europe, Asia, or the Pacific Rim, there are online resource that match your needs. Most online resources categorize its routes per continent and difficulty level and maintain a large volume of forum topics to help novice, intermediate, and professional climbers. Route information posted online also contains its class or grade, so climbers can identify which ones they can pursue.
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| ffemt |
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I've always called class 5 technical climbs. I've never heard of class 6 before. Learn something new every day.
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