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A2 aid climbing grades.
Jan 28, 2022 · For example, 5.
A2 aid climbing grades. A grade of A4 could mean there is one well-travelled and straightforward section of fixed gear in solid rock which is really A2 if you spend time climbing it well (e. 7. National Climbing Classification System (USA): NCCS grades, often called “commitment grades,” indicate the time investment in a route for an “average” climbing team. In ice climbing, the most widely used grading system is the WI ("water ice") system (e. A2: Moderate aid: placements generally solid but possible awkward and strenuous to place. Thanks for Jan 28, 2022 · For example, 5. Usually you will see it written 5. C2 designates clean aid (no hammer), A2 would involve nailing. Dec 1, 2020 · What Is Aid Climbing? Aid Climbing Gear: A Detailed Buying Guide History of Aid Climbing: Fixed Aid Climbing vs. WI6) and the identical AI ("alpine ice") system (e. . Aug 30, 2021 · Simply put, rock climbing grades describe the difficulty of a route. But what goes into climbing grades, and why do they so often involve so many letters and numbers? Jun 25, 2025 · Aid climbing grades worldwide follow a single standard system—A1 to A5 (Australia uses an M0-M8 system. Maybe a tenuous placement or two above good pro with no fall-danger. Please visit them on the web at www. Aid climbing grades take time to stabilize as successive repeats of aid climbing routes can materially reduce the grade. AI6). M stands for mechanical, meaning mechanical protection). “A” means ‘Aid’ and stands for placements that require a hammer, like pitons and copperheads. The main use of assigning route difficulty is to help other climbers judge whether it is suitable for their level. g: crux pitches of Lost in America, Zenyatta Mondatta, many El Cap trade routes). The topo will have a better explanation, but aid grades basically go The term free climbing is used in contrast to aid climbing, in which specific aid climbing equipment is used to assist the climber in ascending the climb or pitch. , ice versus aid), but we will be focusing on free climbing grades in this article. Apr 27, 2025 · There are also several other grading systems for different nationalities and different types of climbing (e. This chart is designed to be used with the American Alpine Journal to help decipher the difficulty ratings given to climbs. org. The grading of aid-climbing routes is complex as successive repeats of the route can substantially change the nature of the challenge through the continuous hammering and also the build-up of large amounts of in-situ fixed placements from each ascending party. 8 A2 Grade VI describes a 2+-day big wall climb with moderately difficult traditional climbing, along with sections of aid climbing with lengthy runouts but decent protection. Examples: the Right side of El Cap Tower (nailing), Moonlight Buttress and Space Shot in Zion (clean). Clean Aid Climbing Aid Climbing vs. So if you make a purchase after clicking one at no cost to you we may earn a small commission. “C” means ‘clean’ and stands for placements which are passively placed, like cams,hooks, and nuts. g. Routes designated with C1-C5 ratings indicate “clean aid climbing” routes where the original state must be preserved (clean aid climbing). The original meaning of free climbing was “free from direct aid”. americanalpineclub. I and II: Half a day or less for the technical (5th class) portion of… Read More »Climbing Grade Feb 18, 2007 · Click on any of the sample topos in the free topos section on this site and somewhere in the first few pages there will be a pretty good explanation of american aid/free grades. C2 F5. 7 C2. The above appears courtesy of the American Alpine Journal. Aid climbing can be used to study a route, but not to climb it. 7 means clean aid 2, free climbing 5. International rock climbing classification systems are shown in the chart at the right, and below is a comparison of Alpine, Ice, Snow, Aid, and Commitment grading systems. Free Climbing Aid Climbing Grades Hey! By the way… this page contains affiliate links. svecvbrlfxjczfttqfmupqfizyaadpykdkbtabpxwykpnbmynd