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Rock Climbing GradesBeginning in the 1930's a rating system for mountain climbing was modified by the Sierra Club and became common usage in North America.
While touring Canadian Rockies vacation destinations, you will be more prepared for hiking, backpacking and climbing with a good understanding of the following mountain grades.
Class 1
Class 2
- Fairly simple mountain scrambling with only the occasional use of hands.
Class 3
- Scrambling - you will need to used your hands much more often for climbing.
Class 4
- Simple mountain climbing with exposure. A rope is often used and a fall from a Class 4 Rockies route without the use of a rope could be fatal.
Class 5
- Beginning of real Canadian Rockies climbing where ropes, protection and belays are needed.
In 1950, Yosemite's Decimal System (YDS) was introduced to describe the different levels of Class 5 mountain climbs being done.
5.0 - 5.7
- Most beginners will be OK in the Rockies here. This is easy mountain terrain for experienced rock climbers.
5.8 - 5.9
- Most casual rock climbers stay here. Liebacks, jamming, and mantling are some of the techniques used among Canadian Rockies at 5.8+.
5.10s
- Dedicated weekend mountain climbers reach this level, but anyone climbing in the Canadian Rockies will know that they have to keep up their mountaineering efforts on a regular basis.
5.11s - 5.14s
- Demanding rock climbing for experienced or gifted mountain climbers.
Ice Climbing Grades - Technical Mounatin Ratings
WI 1
- Flat - like a lake... and no routes are graded WI 1.
WI 2
- Low angle ice or very short pitches up to 80 degrees.
WI 3
- Sustained pitches up to 80 degree ice with good resting places. Requires skills for placing protection.
WI 4
- Sustained pitches of vertical or off vertical ice. May have some run-outs between protection.
WI 5
- Long pitches of vertical ice requiring good protection placement.
WI 6
- Full pitches of dead vertical ice. Featured or requiring awkward stances and movement.
WI 7
- Full pitch of of thin vertical or overhanging ice. Requires exceptional skill.
WI 8
There are Alpine Climbing Grades as well.
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Hiking and Backpacking tours in the Canadian Rockies
Hiking in Jasper National Park
Backpacking climbing grades
Backpacking climbing terminology
Backpacking day hiking Tours in Canadian Rockies
Kananaskis country backpacking tours
Mount assiniboine backpacking
Mount robson backpacking tours
Touring Canadian Rockies Equipment Lists
West coast trail backpacking tours
Wokkpash lake backpacking
Yoho backpacking tours
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Canadian Rockies
Accomodations
| Backcountry |
| Banff, AB |
| Canmore, AB |
| Kananaskis Country, AB |
| Lake Louise, AB |
| Waterton, AB |
| Jasper, AB |
| Radium, BC |
| Invermere, BC |
| Fairmont Hot Springs, BC |
| Panorama, BC |
| Kimberley, BC |
| Fernie, BC |
| Golden, BC |
| Special Collection |
| Accom Index |
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