Bouldering grade scheme hueco See full list on topbouldering. Use this chart as a rough guide to compare climbing and bouldering grades in other parts of the world. Make sure you’re comparing apples to apples! IMPORTANT – Below is a very rough table and it is impossible to provide an accurate conversion between technical difficulty of the hardest climbing – a sport grade/UIAA/USA grade – and overall difficulty of the full route experience from approach through climbing, conditions and descent – Alpine Grade. Top 2 Bouldering Climbing Grades The Vermin Scale (V-Scale) The Vermin Scale, commonly referred to as the V-Scale, is used to grade bouldering problems. The chart below shows a conversion between the Fontainebleau bouldering scale and the french climbing scale. Learn strategies for improving your climbing, including when to change your shoes as you progress through different grades. Anyways, since I had a hard time I just made one. About this Bouldering Grades table: This is a bouldering climbing grade conversion chart. C3+). 12a in the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). com © Rockfax 2000, 2002, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2020 Online Conversion Tool for Climbing Grades & Bouldering Grades: Trad Grade, UIAA, French Sport Grade, Boulder Grades, American Scale & many more. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco "V" grades (known as the V-scale), Fontainebleau technical grades, route colors, Peak District grades, and British technical grades Learn more about: Exploring Hueco Tanks Self-guided area Tours Viewing pictographs and petroglyphs Camping Rock Climbing Hiking Bird-watching Picnicking Exploring Hueco Tanks Self-guided area Due to the fragile nature of the park’s resources, only 70 people can enter the self-guided area at one time. In this edition of On Sight, we’ll demystify climbing grades, and take a closer look at how a subjective sport like climbing tangles with the objective world of numbers and letters. The numerical and alphanumeric codes assigned to boulder problems, referred to as bouldering grades, may leave you scratching your head. Dec 12, 2023 · In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. This extension shows climbing grade conversions. Rock climbing grades appear to be a seemingly impenetrable code, but they do mean something. You may be visiting different gyms in your Apr 27, 2025 · The 6A bouldering grade is about the same as a V3 on the Hueco scale or a 5. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco “V” grades (known as the V-scale), Fontainebleau technical grades, and more. We reach that limit regularly from November through March and on weekends and holidays. The two most common boulder grading systems are the V-Scale and the Fontainebleau Scale. The standard used most widely today is the V Scale, named after John “Vermin” Sherman, who collaborated with his buddies to grade routes in the legendary Hueco Tanks bouldering area in Texas. Knowing how one method relates to another is sometimes difficult. Mar 17, 2023 · Confusingly, both bouldering and french climbing grades use the same numerical system to grade climbing routes and boulder problems. While the grading systems vary by region—like the Fontainebleau system in Europe or the V-scale in the U. how easy is it to rappel the route?). 11a on the YDS. Jun 23, 2024 · Indoor Climbing Grades Explained Are you new to indoor climbing and feeling overwhelmed by all the different grading systems? Understanding climbing grades is essential for tracking your progress and choosing appropriate routes. Nov 19, 2025 · The complete climbers guide to bouldering grades is here! Everything you need to know from history to training tips to send your project! Feb 14, 2024 · Bouldering Grades: The Ultimate Guide Navigating the world of bouldering grades can be a perplexing endeavor, whether you’re a bouldering novice or a seasoned climber. Historically, the three-level "B A description of the various grading systems used in rock climbing, based on difficulty, length, and quality. grades usually work well within a crag but some crags can be softer or harder compared to other ones. Below is a chart to help you determine how one method relates to another. Or perhaps you’re curious about how grades are determined but not sure where to start. This article breaks down how these systems compare, why they don’t line up perfectly, and what it means for your climbing. Dan starts from where kyu ends, Shodan (or 1-Dan) being the next grade higher than 1-Kyu, making it about 7a+/7b in Fontainebleau, V7/V8 in Hueco. Understand how this system guides climbers through an evolving world of boulder challenges steeped in Texan desert grit. The grades are as follows – Easy Moderate Difficult Very GRADES What are our climbing grades? Bouldering’s grading system can sometimes feel like a puzzle, right? You might find yourself grappling with a particular grade or hitting a plateau, no matter how diligently you climb. This scale measures the difficulty of a bouldering problem based on its technical demands, as well as the mental and physical challenges it Apr 27, 2025 · If you’re looking to understand how the 6b+ climbing grade converts to the V scale or Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), here’s your quick answer: 6b+ is roughly equal to V4 on the Hueco scale and 5. Hueco Tanks bouldering guide: Unlock legendary climbs at this iconic spot! Plan your trip, respect the art & discover 850+ problems on North Mountain! Apr 27, 2025 · If you’re trying to figure out how a 6b bouldering grade converts to the V scale or sport climbing grades, here’s a quick answer: A 6b in the Fontainebleau bouldering system is about a V4 in the Hueco (V) scale and roughly a 5. Sep 17, 2024 · The Font system tends to rate problems more technically, while the V Scale focuses more on power and physical demand. Grading Conversion Chart (Bouldering) Here’s a rough comparison between V-Grades and Font Grades for bouldering: Note: These aren’t perfect matches—grading can be subjective, and indoor gyms often feel easier than outdoor climbs of the same grade. The general difficulty levels are: The V grade measures the hardest single move on a boulder As a beginner climber, you are likely noticing your skill level improving quickly and proof of that is in the bouldering grades that you keep leveling up through. Does anyone have anymore that could be added? (disclaimer to say grading can be rly subjective and qualitative so I did the best I could!!) Jan 1, 2025 · There are several methods of grading how difficult a climb is. The YDS provides a numeric rating from 5. And was able to finish 5 pink (V4-5) and 2 Black (V5) routes on my first evening climbing. Historically, the three-level "B Jul 2, 2022 · Bouldering grade systems vary widely in use and include the Hueco "V" grades (known as the V-scale), Fontainebleau technical grades, route colors, Peak District grades, and British technical grades. 12") were also used. If you would like to learn more about what bouldering is, please check out our comprehensive guide. Routes may feel substantially harder than their grade indicates depending on the weather, the length of the route, the type of rock, the whims of the first ascensionist, any number of factors. —all aim to reflect a combination of physical and technical demands. Aug 24, 2023 · Discover the world of rock climbing with "Climbing Grades Explained. Climbing a shodan problem means the climber has reached the advanced level. com Apr 27, 2025 · The 5c grade from the Fontainebleau scale and its equivalent on the V scale help climbers gauge bouldering difficulty between European and North American standards. The goal is to reach the top of a boulder problem or route. Nov 8, 2023 · Discover the definitive guide to bouldering grades. Jan 28, 2022 · Climbing grades describe the objective difficulty of a climb and are organized into grading systems based on the climbing style and the region. Once Aug 2, 2022 · New to bouldering? Our Beginner's Guide to Bouldering breaks down everything you need to know to get started bouldering today. S. e. Bouldering Ratings Much like the climbing world, bouldering has evolved multiple grading systems. 12c. We have left out E-grades above E8 as we do not find any logic to try to convert them any further. I had a hard time finding a chart online that converts the Sherman V-grade system for bouldering into the Yosemite Decimal System for climbing. Sep 19, 2025 · French Alpine System Like the North American Commitment Grade, the French Alpine System presents a grade which factors in the route’s overall “seriousness”; everything from the length and difficulty of the approach, the crux climbing, complexity of descent, objective hazard, altitude, and commitment level (i. Understanding both grading systems is essential for climbers who transition between bouldering and sport climbing, especially when traveling or climbing at new gyms. Mar 24, 2022 · But did you know it was his publisher for the 1991 edition of the Hueco Tanks Climbing and Bouldering Guide, George Meyers of Chockstone Press, whom we should really thank? When Sherman turned in the manuscript around 1989, he deliberately left the book’s ~900 boulder problems unrated. They guide Explore the origins, structure, and significance of the V-scale bouldering grading system. Jan 27, 2006 · Sherman liked Hueco so much that he began bouldering there almost exclusively, and personally developed the open-ended V-grade scale (V for Vermin, Sherman’s self-styled nickname) at Hueco to grade his and friends’ efforts. Mar 30, 2006 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Logic would simply tell us that there is cross-over in every grade. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco "V" grades, Fontainebleau technical grades, route colors, Peak D If you’ve been to a climbing gym in the US, chances are you have seen the Yosemite Decimal System (5. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned climber, our climbing grade conversion cha Aug 18, 2017 · In this article we go over the nuances of rock climbing grades, indoor and outdoor, what they mean, and how to understand them. Dec 28, 2021 · A guide to how bouldering grade scales correspond to each other and fit into roped climbing, including the Font and V scales. These grades provide a shared language for climbers, making it easier to compare Apr 29, 2024 · Learn everything about climbing grades and quickly convert any climbing rating with our free climbing grade conversion chart. Mar 4, 2025 · The grade of a climb should reflect the overall difficulty of the climb. As rock climbing areas proliferated and the sport gained momentum, a national climbing classification system sprouted in various regions, each tailored to the unique terrains and challenges they presented. Bouldering grades are a way to measure the difficulty of climbing problems, helping climbers gauge challenges and track progress. This system helps climbers assess the challenge level of a problem before attempting it. Bouldering grades and bouldering grades conversion charts for the popular V-Scale and Font-Scale bouldering grades. Learn about climbing and bouldering ratings, including how route difficulty is measured and the difference between a rating and a grade. Climbers can use these systems to track their progress as they work toward building new skill sets. These factors include everything, such as rock texture, height, rigidity, and hold placement distance. We have the grades broken into 5 categories to give a sense of the likelihood of success (climbing without a fall or take) based on a climber's level of activity, fitness and climbing experience. Rocky scrambling or Sep 26, 2024 · Climbing grades can be overwhelming, but understanding ratings systems is crucial. Dan gets harder as the number ascends, and is open-ended on the harder side. The V scale was developed in the USA and is a system that currently starts with VB for the simplest bouldering problems and goes all the way up to V17 for super experienced professionals. Apr 27, 2025 · Simply converting a 6c+ grade to the V scale would put it around V5, but real-world difficulty may differ depending on the design and characteristics of any given climb. Bouldering climbing grade conversion chart Convert Hueco V-Scale To French Fontainebleau Chart Download This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to French to V-Scale. With 300 days of sun and perfect holds carved into boulders, Hueco Tanks State Park has it all. Bouldering Grade Systems Bouldering grade systems are a I compiled some bouldering-specific grading charts, cos on the internet there's loads for climbing but none for bouldering grades. Mar 3, 2010 · Although, most grade related conversations on internet forums are usually quite pointless, I think there are people who are in certain situations qualified to state their opinion about a grade, without necessarily completing a climb. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco "V" grades (known as the V-scale), Fontainebleau technical grades, route colors, Peak District grades, and British technical grades. Here's the link if you're interested. Bouldering grades on the V Scale tend to be clumped together, so breaking into the next grade clump can be exciting. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of Apr 27, 2025 · If you’re trying to figure out how the 7A bouldering grade compares to the V Scale or the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), here’s the quick answer: 7A roughly equals V6 and 5. From these areas, the systems were then adopted at other crags, sometimes with stuff "lost in translation". Although open-ended, the "V" system currently covers a range from V0 to V16. Dec 24, 2023 · To quantify the difficulty of bouldering problems, climbers use grading systems like the Hueco V-Scale and Fontainebleau scale. 1-5. [1] He is also a climbing writer and outdoor photographer, and the originator of the V-grade system (after his nickname), [1] for grading the technical difficulty of boulder problems, which has since become one of the From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. Bouldering grades are the level of difficulty that a route is. These systems help orient climbers to appropriate challenges. Invented by the Sierra Club in the 1960s, it categorizes routes from Class 1 (easy Jun 11, 2009 · The new grade conversion table Gregory Hart has helped us out to update our grade converter. Get ready for an adventure! Routes Add route (s) Add topo Reorder Bulk edit Convert grades Grade Route V1EurofoolsBoulder 10ft V1Best Supporting CougarBoulder 11ft V3Rent-A-RattlerBoulder 12ft V1★★★Confidence SchemeBoulder 25ft V3Texas CrudeBoulder 17ft V2Repeat OffenderBoulder 14ft Yosemite (duh), V grade in Hueco and I think you can guess where the Font system comes from. On the other hand, the Hueco scale assigns ratings from V0 Just wondering for anyone who climbs at a boulder lab gym in Australia, I know it can be difficult/inaccurate to make grading comparisons, especially because it varies from gym to gym, but what would be the rough comparison from boulder lab's 1-9 rankings compared to the V rankings in America? Grade (bouldering) Bouldering also has a number of grading systems: Hueco [?] V grades, Fontainebleau technical grades and route colours and overall difficulty grades, Peak District B grades, British technical grades. The grades range from V0 (easiest) to V17 (hardest known), with the "V" standing for Vermin, named after the climber John Sherman whose nickname inspired the system. Apr 11, 2025 · V-GRADES V-grades or the V-scale (also sometimes called the 'Hueco' scale) was established in 1991 by American bouldering pioneer John 'Verm' Sherman - that's where the V comes from! Sherman used the scale to grade problems in his book Hueco Tanks Climbing and Bouldering Guide. The harder the route, the higher the grade. Nov 7, 2023 · Planning to climb the famous Hueco Tanks? Our comprehensive guide will help you discover the best time to climb, route suggestions, tips and recommendations. Tips for Using Climbing Grade Conversions Understand the Context: grades are subjective and can vary based on region, climbing style, and even the conditions on the day you climb. Bouldering Grades Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. 0 (easiest) to 5. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site , a world class bouldering destination, offers problems of every grade from V0-V14. 11c in route climbing. But don’t put all your focus on grades either. Standards vary among climbing areas. The most commonly used For "clean aid climbing" (i. Hover over one of these scales to see the conversion. Climb On offers an array of climbing options suitable for climbers of all skill levels, utilizing two grading scales: the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) for routes and the Hueco scale for boulder problems. Please comment if you find something that should be updated. Download the bouldering grades comparison chart PDF to have a handy reference for your next climbing trip. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. It's interesting to note that the very-well-regarded Sydney Bouldering guidebook left the 'V' prefix off every grade in the book, so problems were graded as a '5' or a '7'. Learn about Yosemite Decimal, UBG, Hueco Tanks, and more in this comprehensive guide. In bouldering, "Hueco Grade" refers to a grading system developed at Hueco Tanks, Texas, used to measure the difficulty of boulder problems. Whether you’re switching from sport Apr 27, 2025 · How is a Grade Established? Whether you’re rock climbing indoors or out, the same basic principles apply for determining the grade of the route. Oct 12, 2021 · Hidden in the desert just outside El Paso, Texas lies an oasis for boulderers and wildlife alike: the sandstone stacks of Hueco Tanks State Park. Here's how climbing grades should work. Oct 15, 2021 · From sport climbing to bouldering, different types of rock climbing each have their own system, known as bouldering grades, to assess a route’s overall difficulty. . Grade (bouldering) - The Hueco Scale The Hueco Scale The "V" Scale, devised by John 'Vermin' Sherman at Hueco Tanks State Historic Site in the 1990s, is the most widely used system in North America. 15 (most challenging) to indicate the difficulty of a climbing route. The Origins of I had my first boulder session last week at a gym nearby. Oct 12, 2024 · In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. The Wheel of Life (V16/8C+) is graded at 6-Dan. Feb 23, 2020 · We provide an indepth look at bouldering, exploring bouldering history, what is boulding and how to start bouldering. Explore the origins and practical use of the V grade bouldering scale pioneered by John Sherman at the legendary Hueco Tanks. Climbing is an exhilarating and challenging sport that attracts adventurers from all walks of life. Including Grade Wike & Table. Sep 25, 2023 · The inception of climbing grades was fueled by the need to communicate the technical difficulty of a climb. Whether you're a seasoned climber or a newcomer to the sport, understanding the different climbing grades and difficulties is crucial for selecting routes that match your skill level and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco V grades (known as the Oct 12, 2020 · Any bouldering grade can be a good climbing grade, depending on the person climbing it. The most common bouldering grading scheme is the V-Scale, known as the Hueco scale, ranging from V0 to V17. Bouldering Grade Conversion Methods Grade conversions are not exact because grading depends on local style, rock type, and route setting. Rock Climbing Grade Scales Yosemite Decimal System The Yosemite Decimal System is one of the most widely used grading systems in rock climbing. John Sherman (born 1959), nicknamed Verm (short for "Vermin") is an American rock climber and a pioneer in the promotion and development of the climbing discipline of bouldering. Climbing grading systems are an integral component of our sport. Sep 18, 2023 · Down in southern Texas, where tumbleweeds and cacti rule the desert, lies a bouldering mecca with a rich history and hundreds of problems waiting for you to climb. What Is the V Scale? The V scale, also called the Hueco scale, measures the difficulty of bouldering problems. Historically, the three-level "B" system and even the Yosemite Decimal System (sometimes with a "B" prepended, as in "B5. X) on the roped climbing routes and the Vermin (V0-VX) grades on the bouldering problems. Climbers moving between the two often find small differences in how grades feel. But grading systems aren’t always exact. We plan to replace the old 8a converter with this new one. This grade fragments into two distinct portions, namely – Adjectival Grade: As the name suggests, the adjectival grade is an adjective grading for all rock climbing factors. 12b in the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). aid climbing equipment is used but only where the equipment is temporary and not permanently hammered into the rock), the most common system is the C-system (e. The 7a to V Scale Conversion Explained We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. These three grading systems measure different things, so the conversion isn’t exact—but it’s close enough to help you understand what to expect. Aid climbing grades take time to stabilize as successive repeats of aid climbing routes can materially reduce the grade. “5” indicates technical rock climbing, and the numbers after show difficulty. Jun 5, 2023 · If you have done any climbing, either in the gym or outside, you will most likely have run into the concept of climbing grades. In this article, we will break down the various grading systems used in indoor climbing, including V-scale for bouldering and Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) for roped In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. Bouldering grades help climbers understand whether they should be able to climb a problem or if something may be too difficult for them. Maybe I'm dumb and it's all over the Internet, not sure why I had a hard time with this. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco V grades (known as the Vscale), Fontainebleau technical grades, route col In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. If you go bouldering in Europe, you’ll see ratings in the Font Scale. That system originated in Most grade systems are specific to a certain style. Apr 27, 2025 · If you’re trying to understand how a 6c bouldering grade converts to the V Scale or sport climbing grades, here’s the quick answer: 6c roughly equals V5 in the Hueco (V) Scale and 5. From V0 to V15, unlock the secrets of difficulty ratings and elevate your climbing game. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to Feb 9, 2024 · What are Bouldering Grades? Bouldering grades are defined as the difficulty of a boulder problem. Every year 100's of climbers migrate to Hueco Tanks. Still, climbers use conversion charts and online tools to May 31, 2022 · Grade pyramids are an excellent way to schedule your bouldering time and regulate difficulty. Bouldering grades are the assigned difficulty ratings to boulder problems. Sep 16, 2021 · Everything you ever wanted to know about bouldering grades in one place, including a bouldering grade conversion chart from the V Scale to Font Scale. 10d to 5. Learn how bouldering V-scales compare to YDS for route climbing, understand the journey from indoor to outdoor climbing, and explore international grading systems. You are aware that the problem arises that in each scale there are a different number of grades? Even if we take the assertion that 8a = V11 and 7a = V6, then you have 6 steps in the Font (7a, 7a+, 7b, 7b+, 7c, 7c+) to cover 5 steps in the Hueco (V6, V7, V8, V9, V10). Free poster from Rockfax. Learn your grades and apply them to your climbing and problem setting. While different grading systems exist worldwide, they can be converted to each other, allowing every climber to understand what grade a problem is. The technical difficulty would be suggested by the first climber, and repeat climbers would suggest their own rating, which could be the same or an upgrade or downgrade from the original suggestion. Feb 26, 2021 · A guide to the eccentric world of climbing grading, looking at grade comparison, what the different systems mean and why it's all just so unusual! Jun 10, 2024 · Grade Converters Bouldering and Lead Climbing Grade converters and other tools for rock climbers. F: Facile /easy. Indeed, as there are many climbing styles, many grading systems have emerged throughout climbing history to cover the different types of movement and technologies climbers use to ascend varied terrains like rock, ice, and snow. " Learn about different climbing grades, fitness benefits, and safety tips. Jun 23, 2024 · By comparing the V-Scale to other grade systems, climbers can gain a better understanding of the nuances and variations in bouldering grades worldwide. Oct 23, 2023 · Discover the intricacies of climbing grades with our comprehensive guide. g. There are grade systems for bouldering, grade systems for sport climbing, grade systems for aid climbing and so on but even grade systems for the same style don’t always translate well between each other. In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. In this post, you’ll learn how these grading systems compare, what each one measures, and why the conversions aren’t always exact. In conclusion, grades are only estimates, personal opinions of the difficulty of a climb. Consider the Climbing Style: sport climbing, traditional climbing, and bouldering can have different grading nuances. Fontainebleau Grades Origin of Fontainebleau Grades Fontainebleau grades, also known as the Font grades, originated in the famous Fontainebleau forest in France. How to Use the Bouldering Grades Comparison Table: To use this table, simply find the grade you wish to convert and click on it or follow the row to see equivalent grades in the other system. Converts French & Font climbing scales to YDS & Hueco Bouldering scales. Historically, the three-level "B In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing. This extension shows climbing grade conversions. lwed gqonqvr wqjyy fapmno xiten pdixofh hpnouq vbgtpku qqmt xlemq wsmf kwovu fuwqt ujdd bxp