How to rate a rock.

Confused with the climbing rating system? Let's examine the rock ratings:

The Yosemite Decimal System

Class 1 - hiking or uphill walking on established areas

Class 2 - cross country with hands used for balance

Class 3 - scrambing on rocks, with hands for balance. survivable falls.

Class 4 - exposed scrambling on rocks in steep terrain with the use of a rope to prevent injury if a fall occurs.

Class 5 - climbing involving technical moves and additional equipment for protection. this is where technical climbing truly begins.

Class 5 Subdivisions

At this point ratings stay within the fifth class, but are in subdivisions that becoming gradually harder and require more technical abilities. For instance:

5.0 - 5.4 which has generally easy movements with no difficulty in selections of hand or footholds.

or

5.9 - 5.10 this is seens as a watermark for most climbers who are looking to "break through" to the next level of climbing. This requires thoughful and balanced movements through a series of movements based on sequence.