Yds to v scale.

Yds to v scale AU: Boulder: V0+ But really the bouldering V-Scale is Vermin V-Scale for bouldering. 12a. Sherman does, however, have a very famous guidebook to his name—Stone Crusade: A Historical Guide to Bouldering in America. A 6a+ grade would usually correspond with about V3 on the V Apr 10, 2025 · The Fontainebleau Scale, often referred to as ‘the Font Scale’, ascends in a similar way to the V Scale, until you hit Font 6, when our old friends a, b and c, and the plus and minus signs are wheeled out once more to indicate slight increases in difficulty. We recommend Instantprint where an A1 poster costs around £16 (+VAT and delivery). The average American gym and crag uses the V-scale, starting at V0. [2] Oct 23, 2023 · The V-scale, used for bouldering, and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), used for route climbing, represent two distinct grading systems tailored to their specific forms of climbing. Key Climbing Grade Systems. 0 (class + difficulty) and currently goes up to 5. The V-scale, widely used in the United States, ranks problems from V0 (easiest) to V16 (most difficult). Grade conversion between the two scales isn’t easy—the Font Scale has more grade options than the V Scale, and both scales are subject to regional differences and individual climbers’ body types, opinions, and skill sets—but in general, here’s how the two scales See relevant content for outdoorrackbuilder. This scale is more straightforward than the YDS Scale and ranges in difficulty from V0-V17. Grade V: Typ­i­cal­ly requires an overnight on the route. From grade 5. The V-scale ranges from V0 (the easiest) to V16 (the hardest), with each grade marking a step up in difficulty. Though it was born in the outdoors, the system is also used to rate route difficulty in climbing gyms. Let’s break it down the grade 5. Apr 29, 2024 · The Hueco or ‘V’ scale goes from V0-V17 (currently the worlds hardest boulder problem). Feb 19, 2021 · Like the YDS, the V scale is completely open-ended, and the highest grade on the scale will continue to increase as the sport progresses. US: Boulder: P10: Bouldering Phoenix P-Scale. Understanding the Yosemite Decimal System: A Guide to Rock Climbing Grades in North America. Yosemite Decimal System(YDS) is a grading system commonly found in the United States, starting with a 5. Most climbing gyms offer a range of V0 to V10/V11. And also just like the V-scale, a plus or minus sign may be put in front of the grade to more specifically determine it's level, for example: 5b- is an easier problem than simply 5b. As a beginner rock climber or foreign climber trying to climb in America, you'll want to become familiar with the Yosemite Decimal System, or YDS. com What they're describing is the difficulty level of the climb and the rating is from the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). In contrast, bouldering grades use the V-scale or Fontainebleau scale, as mentioned earlier. 15 (most difficult). Bouldering, unlike sport climbing with its myriad grading systems, simplifies things with two main grading scales – the V Scale and Font Scale. The system is primarily used in Australia and New Zealand. 0. 15c on the YDS scale Mar 25, 2024 · Sport climbing grades are typically denoted using the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) in the United States, ranging from 5. V-Scale to YDS Conversion and Difficulty Scale I hesitated in including this conversion because the skill-set, strength and endurance needed to rock climb is so different from bouldering and isn’t easily comparable. The latter is much more reasonable in my experience. Your chart seems to be more aggressively rating the V-grade scale to YDS. Saxon, Fontainebleau), mostly countries (South African, Brazilian, French, etc. The lower bound of the scale is V0, and the current upper bound is V17. Convert North American climbing grades to UK and European scales, and compare bouldering V-grades to roped climbs. There are other ones, like the B-Scale, the P-Scale, the Joshua Tree Scale, and a few others, but you don’t really need to know those as they are not really used. , V2, V5, V8). ‘Vermin’, as his friends called him, realized that a consistent system for grading boulder problems would help new climbers and veterans alike, and the V scale was first published in his guidebook to bouldering in Hueco Tanks. 0 (easiest) and can go beyond 5. May 31, 2020 · Grading happens both indoors and outdoors. k. Oct 15, 2021 · The two bouldering grading systems are the V Scale (used in the United States) and the Font Scale (used outside the US). V-scale: The V-scale is a bouldering grading system used primarily in the United Aug 18, 2017 · YDS stands for the Yosemite Decimal System and it is a grading system for hiking, scrambling, and climbing. Yosemite Dec­i­mal Sys­tem (YDS) This is the most wide­ly used rat­ing in the U. The grades, annotated with roman numerals, indicate the length of the climb, and are intended to help climbers properly prepare for their ascent. ? Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Download Bouldering Grade PDF – Comparison between Font, V and UK tech grades. 9. However, like the YDS Scale, it is still increasing as climbers send more challenging problems. 11a, etc. 15 (hardest). Currently, the scale starts at V0 and goes up to V17. 0 to 5. Maybe I'm dumb and it's all over the Internet, not sure why I had a hard time with this. May 31, 2024 · Understanding the grading scale in climbing is crucial to gauge the difficulty level of various routes. 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. YDS. Confusingly though, European sport climbers use the French sport climbing system which, just like Font Bouldering Grades, ranges from 1 – 9 and uses a,b and c as well as ‘+’ to signify a slight increase Jun 23, 2024 · V-Scale vs. First published in 1994, the book contained the infamous V-Scale (V for Vermin) made its debut. Nov 13, 2023 · Australian Grading System: The Australian Grading System is similar to the YDS, but uses a different scale. Anyways, since I had a hard time I just made one. 15. and its equiv­a­lents can be seen below in the chart. Rockfax Colour Codes. Dec 9, 2024 · The V-scale was invented in the 1980s by John Sherman, nicknamed “Vermin,” hence the V. Wikipedia, my first resource, failed me here. are graded using the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). When it comes to indoor climbing grades, two popular grading systems are the V-Scale and the YDS (Yosemite Decimal System). 9/easy jugs in many areas (joe's valley, red rocks, etc. g. The V scale was developed by pioneering American boulderer John Sherman. ): Apr 27, 2025 · If you’re wondering how the Fontainebleau (or “Font”) system—like 9A—converts to the V scale or Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), here’s a quick answer: 9A in the Font scale equals about V17; That’s also roughly 5. Jan 6, 2024 · The V-Scale. In the USA, both indoor and outdoor routes are graded on the Yosemite Decimal System. 6, 5. ) or even continents (Ewbanks, YDS) and sometimes they got exported to and established themselves in different areas making some grade systems more ubiquitous Mar 17, 2023 · For starters, North American sport climbing uses the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) which is entirely different from the V-scale system. a the Vermin Scale) The V-Scale is as follows: V0-V3: Beginner; V4-V6: Intermediate Oct 15, 2021 · The two bouldering grading systems are the V Scale (used in the United States) and the Font Scale (used outside the US). 11d on the Yosemite Decimal System. For example you place V5 at 5. From the Yosemite Decimal System that offers a glimpse at the rockface’s difficulty level and degree of challenge to the V Scale, which gives an idea of the bouldering rating, it’s essential to understand each so you know precisely what you’re in for. 10 climbing moves. , you can find YDS grades all around the world. e. The YDS scale has now been pushed to 5. As climbers and their gear got better, even harder climbs were being sent, and the need arose to open the scale. Some gyms use the classic V-grade system, marking each boulder problem with a V-grade on a tag or piece of tape at its start. This scale aligns nicely with the V-scale popularized in the United States. While it is primarily used in the U. Apr 13, 2025 · From the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) to the Fontainebleau grades, this article will serve as your go-to reference for decoding climbing difficulty. 15d (hardest), with sub Jun 5, 2023 · The two most popular grading systems are the V-Scale and the Font-Scale. The YDS starts at 5. 15c, though only a handful of such routes exist in the world. S. As its name suggests, the scale was born in the legendary bouldering forest of . Comparing these scales is somewhat akin to comparing sprinting to a marathon; while both are running, the skills and attributes required are quite different. com. The document has moved here. Each grade reflects the perceived difficulty of completing a boulder problem, considering factors such as holds, movement complexity, and the height of the climb. This is the class. Apr 27, 2025 · A great visual demonstrates how a grade such as 6c+ compares to other grading systems. There are 3 parts to a YDS grade. 0 the scrambling terrain starts. Many gyms use a coloured V-grade range system, wherein the colour of the tape or holds on a problem correspond to a range of V-grades. [1] It was first devised by members of the Sierra Club in Southern California in the 1950s as a refinement of earlier systems from the 1930s, [ 2 ] and quickly spread throughout North America. The grades in the tables are assigned a colour code that spans the various grading systems. Scroll down, or click here to view: the basic YDS: Class 1-5 for rock climbing (not ice) YDS fifth class subdivisions (5. The scale ranges from 1 to 5, with vertical pitches ranking at a 5-level difficulty with a decimal addition. It starts from V0 (easier) and goes up with additional letters for nuances in difficulty (e. For instance, a 7a+ on the French scale can actually climb like a 5. 6: The little more obscure Expanded Gill B-Scale for bouldering. 0 was capped at 5. US: Boulder: S4-Bouldering Smith Rocks S-Scale. Unlike other systems, the V-Scale is consistent globally, making it easier for boulderers to communicate. Feb 28, 2023 · V-Scale The V-Scale was developed by John “Vermin” Sherman and is how boulder problems in the U. US: Boulder: B2-And another B-Scale. See full list on climbinghouse. Grade VII: Remote big walls climbed in alpine style. These charts use the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), the most common scale for roped climbs in North America. AU: Boulder: V0+ But really the bouldering V-Scale is Nov 1, 2024 · The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a grading scale that evaluates the difficulty of hiking and climbing routes, especially for mountaineering and rock climbing. with 9A(equal to V17) being the maximum level reached thus far. Other similarly priced services are available. This is where the real climbing scale begins. Especially in the USA, but also in large parts of the world, the YDS scale (YDS = Yosemite Decimal System) is used. The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) The Yosemite Decimal System , also known as YDS, is used to determine hiking difficulty and sport climbing routes based in North America. Exactly what I wanted. The scale starts at 5. Jul 8, 2024 · The Yosemite Decimal System. In the United States, we use the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). 6 (easiest) to 5. Developed in the 1950s in Yosemite National Park, this system was created by rock climbers to standardize ratings for various routes. US: Boulder: C+: Bouldering Joshua Tree Scale. Vermin V-Scale for bouldering. something Grades 1 to 4 refer to walks of increasing difficulty, by the time you reach 5 you are assumed to be scrambling over rocks which equates to about 5. The YDS Grades are listed below: Grade I: 1-2 hours Grade II: < half day Grade III: Half Day In 2016, Alex sent me a link to his page on Bouldering Grades, which he compares with the Yosemite Decimal System and sport climbing. The V-Scale is used for bouldering, ranging from V0 (easiest) to V16 (most difficult). 15 (extreme difficulty), with the scale becoming more granular as it progresses. Two of the most widely used systems are the V-scale in North America and the Fontainebleau scale in Europe. Jun 5, 2023 · The Yosemite climbing scale was developed by Royal Robbins, Don Wilson, and Chuck Wilts in Southern California in the early 1950s. -based Sierra Club in the 1950s, the YDS unified and refined previous systems from the early days of Yosemite Valley climbing. US: Boulder: B5. A YDS grade is split into two numbers separated by a period and looks like this: Class. 11 a/b. 13) editorial comments on the standard YDS classes Even today, many grade systems are confined to certain geographical areas, sometimes climbing areas (e. Overall, the YDS and the French Scale are fairly easy to convert between, but since they are used in different regions, you are likely to see large regional differences The "old-school" scale started at 5. Please turn off your ad blocker. The Bouldering V Scale (a. Feb 4, 2015 · Skala: Länder: Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA) Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary: East German Rating System (GDR (Saxon)) Just like the V-scale, this grade system is open-ended. The V Scale goes from 0 to 17 and may have a + or – for further The V scale. In North America, bouldering problems use a different scale than climbing routes. Grades in bouldering. Sep 5, 2021 · Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) — 5. The V-scale doesn't consider risk and is purely focused on the technical difficulty of the movements. 0 (easiest) to 5. YDS CLASS General terrain difficulty grading system (U. Feb 14, 2024 · V Scale & Font Scale: Two Prominent Grading Systems. In bouldering, the V-Scale stands out. Grade VI: Two or more days of hard tech­ni­cal climb­ing. Yosemite Decimal System (YDS): predominantly used in North America, this system ranges from 5. Mar 7, 2021 · But if you are serious about this amazing, adventurous sport, you’ll need to know all about climbing grades and bouldering ratings. No conversion chart is perfect 5. Now, the V grades are just about the only bouldering grading system one encounters in the United States. Because the originators of this grading system—read on to learn more—based their efforts off of John Gill’s B-system for bouldering, V0 moves are the equivalent of 5. Mar 17, 2012 · Thomas Graf, notice that the page you listed has no V to YDS conversion, only bouldering scales to bouldering scales, and rope scales to rope scales. ) presumably so that bouldering areas have more of a lower end as opposed to having YDS grades in the guide like Jtree and Bishop have. Then it is counted up from 5. The difficulty grades 1-4 refer to increasingly difficult walking terrain. All climbing grades begin with the number five. Mar 30, 2023 · For bouldering, on the other hand, there are varying systems in place. V0 has changed to become more synonymous with 5. Most rock climbs over 20 feet tall in the U. Apr 27, 2025 · The 6a+ rating translates to the French bouldering system. Moved Permanently. 12 b/c while Wiki compares V5 to ~ 5. Feb 9, 2023 · the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) An additional system comes into play to more finely describe the difficulty of fifth class routes. In France and much of Europe, climbers rate boulder problems on the 6a+ to V scale. For instance, 6c+ on the French scale roughly lines up with V5 on the V scale used for bouldering in the US. Here's the link if you're interested. It's the system used to grade the technical difficulty of rock climbs. TL;DR V0 is supposed to be hard. are rated. The YDS does not apply to bouldering routes; instead, either the French Scale (usually referred to by its other name, the Fontainebleau Scale or Font Scale for short) or the Hueco V Scale is used. In rock climbing, the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is widely used in the United States. It ranges from 1 to 34, with additional letters (a, b, c) used to further refine the difficulty. Originally known as the Southern California or Wilts-Sierra system, it eventually became cemented as the Yosemite Decimal System, despite its inception outside of Yosemite. Many systems exist worldwide, though the most common are the Yosemite system and the French system — we’ll talk more about the various systems in a moment. We use the term 'current upper bound' because elite outdoor climbers continue to establish and send increasingly difficult climbs. Developed by the U. The V-scale is an open-ended scale that starts at V0 (although a slightly easier "VB" has been used for beginners), and increases in single-digit steps (i. The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a five-part grading system used for rating the difficulty of rock climbing routes in the United States and Canada. Oct 12, 2020 · The French Scale is much more convertible between its top-rope and bouldering equivalents, while the YDS and American bouldering scale, the V scale, are not as convertible. Scales are used by boulderers, Font and V scale are mostly used. What Is a Climbing Difficulty Ranking? A climbing difficulty ranking is a standardized scale used to assess the technical challenge, physical demand, and risk associated with a climbing route. While there are other scales like the B-Scale, P-Scale, Joshua Tree Scale, and others, they don’t command the same prominence. On the other hand, the YDS is used for roped climbing, with ratings like 5. YDS is the dominant classification system in the United States and parts of Canada. :P Thanks for posting this, was looking for some such scale, yours was one of the first hits. V5, V6, V7), and was at V17 in 2023 with Burden of Dreams. a the Vermin Scale) The V-Scale is as follows: V0-V3: Beginner; V4-V6: Intermediate Apr 27, 2025 · Climbing style and route characteristics have a significant influence on these conversions. Yosemite Decimal System - Grades: The Yosemite Decimal System also includes an optional Grade rating. ijdtik tbol vwjwba kxeyyy joornp ecoqz rfwxhzb jbcp tvmb dteb taubm ytjfd krz rvhnws sroe