Highest bouldering grade. International Climbing Grades Comparison Chart: .

Highest bouldering grade. The highest I've seen was an 8a+ but usually the hardest is 7c/+. Ratings used internationally today include no less than seven… Mar 7, 2025 · Ratings can be regional, and depending on your location locals may tell you that people tend to rate high or low in that area. 14d). ” The V scale is used to grade the difficulty of problems. Bouldering grades on the V Scale tend to be clumped together, so breaking into the next grade clump can be exciting. She has won multiple competition lead climbing and competition bouldering events, two Olympic gold medals, and is widely regarded as the greatest competition climber of all time. We organize climbers by their hardest V-grade, but remember that there is a lot more complexity to each climber’s bouldering history than just their max grade. Aid climbing grades take time to stabilize as successive repeats of aid climbing routes can materially reduce the grade. [1][7][8] His parents were devotees of the yogi Baba Hari Dass, and adopted the surname Sharma when they got married. International Climbing Grades Comparison Chart: Source: Wikipedia Apr 27, 2025 · The climbing grade 7c can be confusing if you’re used to a different grading system. This captivating subject has been merited with its own dedicated spotlight. [4][5][6] In 2021, Garnbret became the first-ever female Olympic gold medalist 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. [3] In March 2015, he redpointed Papichulo at Oliana at 9a+ (5. As mixed climbing has become more popular, the subset of “sport drytooling” has gained traction too: climbing bare rock, with ice climbing equipment, but with no actual ice in sight. Basically, the higher the number, the more difficult the problem is. 15d), and it is an important route in rock climbing history. May 31, 2020 · Everything you need to know about climbing grades in one place. 15d) for men and the grade of 9b+ (5. If you’re eager to delve into the awe-inspiring world of V17 bouldering, then make sure to check out our guide dedicated to the hardest bouldering grade in the world. 13c, depending on whether you’re using the French or the UIAA system. Aug 30, 2021 · It is possible to relate high-standard water ice and mixed grades to free climbing difficulty, but only abstractly. Grade is the term and system we use to indicate the commitment it takes to do a particular route. are now the highest grades), milestones for modern traditional-climbing, free-solo-climbing, onsighted & flashed-ascents, are also listed. Please visit them on the web at www. Dec 14, 2022 · Today we’ll talk about the hardest sport climbing routes, the stories of how they came to be, and the people who’ve climbed them. #2. e. 15a). This guide delves deep into the world of rock climbing grades, offering insights into their origins, variations, and how they compare internationally Although every type of rock climbing requires a high level of strength and technique, bouldering is the most dynamic form of the sport, requiring the highest level of power and placing considerable strain on the body. At the time, the highest bouldering grade solved by a female climber was 8A+ (V12), and Pura Vida was considered at least 8A+/B and possibly 8B. Aug 29, 2025 · How to Understand Bouldering Levels and Climbing Grades at Any Gym - including the V Scale, Circuits, and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The harder the route, the higher the grade. This elite grading signifies a groundbreaking achievement in the sport. What is the hardest boulder problem he has ever sent? I still think he is an amazing climber and pushing the limits of soloing in climbing but i just want to know. Dec 12, 2018 · What is the share of climbers who can send 8a or 9a? In our previous post, we have looked at the distribution of grades across almost 3 million rock climbing ascents in the 8a. 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. The V-scale, also known as the Hueco V-scale, is an open-ended system specifically designed to rate the difficulty of bouldering problems. I know Alex isn't famous for bouldering but lately as I have watched all this footage of his free solo's and I have become curious. Different types of climbing and different regions often use their own methods to rate difficulty. There were only a few climbs of the grade on the planet that he hadn't yet done or tried. As of August 2025, the technically hardest redpoint of a single-pitch rock-climbing route in the world is at the grade of 9c (5. They guide Mar 4, 2025 · What does the grade mean? The grade of a climb should reflect the overall difficulty of the climb. 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. Don’t get too hung up on the numbers. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to French to V-Scale. . [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 most commonly used Understanding Climbing Grades: A Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Ratings Or, How to Realize You’re Not As Strong As You Think If you’re new to the world of indoor climbing, you might think climbing grades are just friendly suggestions about the difficulty of a route. We have a helpful grade Jul 12, 2024 · Below, we dive into the bouldering accomplishments of each of these 5. Many of the problems do not yet have a consensus grade, so I came up with a formulaic way to assign one to each based off the existing grade suggestions. Focus on climbing things that challenge you, whether that’s V0 or V10. The French Rock Climbing Grade System The French ranking of outdoor, bolted, and sport climbing routes is the dominant climbing grading system to abide by. Climb better by learning climbing grades. Aug 24, 2025 · Understanding the Yosemite Decimal System: A Guide to Rock Climbing Grades in North America. Our Ultimate Guide to Climbing Grades provides it all! Jun 11, 2023 · Before we embark into the craggy terrain of the world’s hardest climbing routes, let’s tip our helmets to the trailblazing feats that have set the stage for the modern standard of hard sport climbing. 12a. Understanding the different grading systems & the factors that affect grades will help you make informed decisions & tackle routes that match your skill level & ambitions. Anyways, since I had a hard time I just made one. (It only contains three categories, B1, B2, and B3, making it hard to delineate between the hardest boulders as the benchmark is continuously pushed. 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. 14c). May 5, 2024 · Grades Finally, let’s talk about Grades. In the table above, the technical grade at the top of the coloured range block is a good indication – for example, routes graded HVS 4c, E1 5a, E2 5b. It's the system used to grade the technical difficulty of rock climbs. a couple clarifications: by average I mean of height/weight for climbers use time most efficiently for training highest grade achieved means a couple sents at the grade, not a all around at the grade. While the first-ever full 8B (V13 Nov 4, 2022 · Grade, risk, length, elevation what makes a climb hard? Discover the most iconic and hardest climbs in the world. Oct 12, 2020 · Any bouldering grade can be a good climbing grade, depending on the person climbing it. May 31, 2025 · Height, reach, and personal strengths all affect how hard something feels to you specifically. Routes climbed in bouldering are called “problems. Are bouldering grades colored the same at every gym? The best female boulderers. [13] The Different Climbing Grading Systems Climbing grades can seem confusing at first because there isn’t just one universal system. This article breaks down what 7c means, how it compares across different scales, and how to understand where it fits in your climbing progression. Key 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. Learn your grades and apply them to your climbing and problem setting. Sep 1, 2024 · Use code HANNAH15 for 15% off Tee’s, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne ︎ https://rungne. Our purple tag is V7-V9 and then the black is V10-V11+. Jun 23, 2024 · Understanding Bouldering Grades: From V-scale to Fontainebleau Are you new to the world of bouldering and feeling overwhelmed by all the different grading systems? Look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we will break down the various bouldering grades from the V-scale to Fontainebleau, helping you navigate the intricacies of the sport with ease. I'd say my gym is soft tho. Here’s our guide to the worlds hardest bouldering grade. Feb 13, 2025 · Rock climbing is a sport that requires strength, endurance, mental focus, and technique. We often conversationally refer to climbing ratings and grades synonymously, but there is a more specific definition for a grade in climbing. If you're interested, you can check out our article on how bouldering problems are graded. 13a or 5. Unlike rock Five classes of climbing difficulty The Yosemite Decimal System consists of five general classes, the fifth being subdivided with a decimal notation, but it is generally accepted that some ratings are too high or too low because people want to brag or because the standards among climbers has changed over time, and many people have editorial comments about the YDS. g. Below you'll find a comprehensive explanation of the different climbing rating systems. This scale measures the difficulty of a bouldering problem based on its technical demands, as well as the mental and physical challenges it 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. While different grading systems exist worldwide, they can be converted to each other, allowing every climber to understand what grade a problem is. Grades Ascents Gear Janja Garnbret (born 12 March 1999) is a Slovenian professional rock climber who specializes in sport climbing and competition climbing. Find out the highest bouldering grade and how it compares to other scales and disciplines. Explore the origins, structure, and significance of the V-scale bouldering grading system. Major sport climbing sends are briefly mentioned for each climber as all. The best climbers I know are the ones having the most fun, not necessarily the ones climbing the highest grades. Oct 23, 2023 · Discover the intricacies of climbing grades with our comprehensive guide. In bouldering, 7c usually means V9. Ondra is Was having a debate with some climber friends about what is the highest grade an average person can achieve before he is limited by genetics. 4 in mountain boots and be comfortable climbing rock, snow and ice in crampons, and fit to go climb for 4-6 hours AD (assez difficile): Fairly hard. But as the popularity of rock climbing burgeons globally, understanding the intricacies of climbing grades has become more confusing. Bouldering grades are graded using different systems across different regions. Many areas in the world have developed different systems. Maybe they’re there to encourage you—like a cute way of saying, “Hey, give this a shot!” Unfortunately, climbing grades For "clean aid climbing" (i. 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. nu data. Jun 15, 2022 · According to a global survey of boulderers, the highest bouldering grade of 47. Cutting-edge bouldering ascents have accelerated rapidly over the last three years. This discipline emphasizes strength, technique, and problem-solving skills, allowing climbers to push their limits close to the ground. It only lists ascents at the climbers hardest grade, so each climbers has a single entry on the list. Chris Omprakash Sharma was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, the only child of Gita Jahn and Bob Sharma. 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. Would you follow in their footsteps in attempting these fearsome climbs? An explanation fo the main two main bouldering grades systems: Font and V including the history of bouldering grades and why they're used. This Czechia native has been climbing at the highest level – both on rock and the competition scene – for over a decade. Here's your guide for comparing indoor to outdoor bouldering grades. Mar 9, 2023 · Once you reach the top end of the intermediate grades, you’ll begin to start tackling some difficult challenges. The goal is to reach the top of a boulder problem or route. Today, we will take a very similar approach and look at the highest climbing grade mastered by more than 30,000 rock climbers (both male and female). Because without these gravity-defying crushers of the past, the exhilarating, skyscraping standards of today’s climbing feats would still only remain the stuff of dreams. Aug 14, 2023 · The routes here are the ultimate ascents you can attempt on Earth, as chosen by the world's best climbers. Unlike rock 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. This list aims to list any female boulderer who has climbed 8B+ or harder. 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. In sport climbing, it often means 5. As climbers progress in their journey, they are often confronted with different grades of difficulty that measure how tough a climb is. As of April 2013, the highest-ever climbing grade to be on-sighted is just one grade higher at 9a (5. This guide explains the different grading systems used in rock climbing and offers tips to level up your skills. Apr 29, 2024 · Learn everything about climbing grades and quickly convert any climbing rating with our free climbing grade conversion chart. Bouldering grades are the assigned difficulty ratings to boulder problems. Why Climbing Grades Are Subjective Climbing grades are subjective due to various factors. Some of the setters are very strong climbers. #1 is Nov 8, 2023 · Discover the definitive guide to bouldering grades. Bouldering Grade Systems Bouldering grade systems are a Silence (also Project Hard), is a 45-metre (148 ft) severely overhanging sport climbing route in the granite Hanshelleren Cave in Flatanger Municipality, Norway. Ultimately though, grades shouldn’t define your skills but rather be used as a way to get systematically more skilled at the sport. Maybe I'm dumb and it's all over the Internet, not sure why I had a hard time with this. Mar 24, 2022 · What follows is a sortable list of all the hardest boulder problems in the world. Apr 27, 2025 · Frequently Asked Questions What does 8c+ mean in bouldering grades? 8c+ is a very high European sport climbing grade, one of the highest on the Font (Fontainebleau) scale widely used in Europe. Whether you’re a seasoned climber Focusing initially on bouldering, in 2005, Zangerl solved her first 8A (V11) graded problem with her ascent of X-Ray in Silvretta in Austria. The Burden of Dreams is considered the hardest problem in the world with a grade of V17. Thimble: In 1961, John Gill free-soloed this now-classic climb in South Dakota as the first-ever consensus 5. Jul 25, 2022 · You’ll be sure to see the YDS being used in indoor rock climbing walls and outdoor climbing routes alike in North America — and occasionally in Canada. If you would like to learn more about what bouldering is, please check out our comprehensive guide. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned climber, our climbing grade conversion cha If you look at his resume, Alex Honnold’s redpoint max — that is, the hardest grade of climbing that he’s done before — is rated 5. While sport climbing has dominated overall grade milestones since the mid-1980s (i. org. Bouldering grades help climbers understand whether they should be able to climb a problem or if something may be too difficult for them. Any route with a high E grade and a comparatively low technical grade is likely to be badly protected and could have run-out sections, committing moves or high first gear. In this beginners guide, we go over everything that goes into bouldering grades and what you need to know. 15d, or 4 entire grades higher than Honnold. Where Can I Find the Hardest Bouldering Problems in America? The Australian “Ewbank” grading system, where “1” is the lowest grade for example; an inclined walk. Using tools and crampons on rock is a lot different than using one’s hands and feet. I and II: Half a day or less for the technical (5th class) portion of… Read More »Climbing Grade We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. 7 percent of respondents was between a Font grade 6a and 6c+ this corresponds to the Vermin grade range of V2 to V5. Feb 2, 2025 · A bouldering problem is considered hard or challenging if its V Scale grade is V15 and above, which is equivalent to 8C and above on the Font Scale. It takes a few months to get the hang of roped climbing but once you have endurance, you can push into the 11's if V2's and V3s are your bouldering grade. personally, I think v10 is an achievable grade for Sep 19, 2025 · When Mixed Grades were first introduced, it was all but a given that a “mixed” pitch would involve ice climbing—usually a hanging dagger—at some point. 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. While that’s certainly impressive, it’s nowhere near the best climbers in the world, who are actually sending routes rated 5. “When Gill ascended it In bouldering I think the plateau happens in the V5-V6 range (6C+/7A). Sep 25, 2023 · Climbing is a universal sport, spanning from remote walls in Alaska to the sunny sport climbing routes of Spain. Mar 21, 2022 · Most gyms don’t grade their problems to replicate outdoor climbs. It commences with V0, though a slightly easier VB (Beginner V-grade) is often utilized Jul 20, 2023 · The B system, which was the world’s original bouldering grading scale, has all but gone extinct today, largely due to its simplicity. info/HMBJake Mason, Head Routesetter at Yonder and Hang explains the eight Oct 29, 2024 · First-free-ascents that set new grade milestones are important events in rock climbing history, and are listed below. Jun 5, 2023 · V17 bouldering, the mightiest of grades that very few crushers can attain. Bouldering grades and bouldering grades conversion charts for the popular V-Scale and Font-Scale bouldering grades. Feb 9, 2024 · What are Bouldering Grades? Bouldering grades are defined as the difficulty of a boulder problem. If you are relatively healthy it's easy to get to the V5 grade but then it becomes harder and harder. In 2008, aged only 19, she solved Pura Vida in Switzerland's Magic Wood. Aug 4, 2025 · The highest V grade currently stands at V17, representing the pinnacle of bouldering difficulty. Jun 28, 2024 · The most challenging grade on the V-scale is currently V17, highlighting the scale’s capacity to classify extreme bouldering challenges. How many colors do you have in your gym? I've seen V12 occasionally and V13 once. ) For clarity, in this article, I’ll describe climbs using the Hueco scale. We’ll also cover the hardest projects being worked on and the hardest indoor climbing route! Everything harder than v9 gets the same color of tape because there are very few actual v10+ climbers around. As the grade increases holds get smaller and fewer with more technical transitions between. 15c (or d) climbers. Dec 22, 2021 · The Top 10% of Climbers: Mountain Project Data Mountain Project Climbing Grade Percentiles In rock climbing there are “Grades” of a route which measure it’s difficulty - each one incrementally more difficult than the last. Apr 10, 2025 · Our expert guide to climbing rating systems will help you compare trad to sport, America to Europe, bouldering, scrambling, dry tooling and everything in between 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. Here's the link if you're interested. The two most common boulder grading systems are the V-Scale and the Fontainebleau Scale. What is the Point of Bouldering? Bouldering is a type of rock climbing, stripped down to only essentials. Grades can be subjective and may vary slightly between locations or setters. 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 May 2013, Midtbø returned to Rodellar to on-sight the sport climbing route Cosi fan tutte which is graded at 8c+ (5. What is the V scale equivalent of 8c+? 8c+ on the Font scale is equivalent to The former is important for ingraining good technique and keeping your bouldering endurance up high enough to finish problems, but you'll only build the strength and skills to climb hard problems if you try them. Feb 2, 2024 · There have been several climbing grade milestones over the past 60 years and it often takes around five years to progress to the next one, so since the last one was seven years ago are we in for another soon? Here are 10 famous grade milestones since 1961. Aug 24, 2025 · Understanding climbing grades is essential for safe & successful rock, ice & alpine climbs. Grade I is low commitment, typically just a few hours of climbing. [7][8] Sharma started rock climbing when he was 12 at the Pacific Edge Climbing Gym, [1 Oct 25, 2023 · From Janja Garnbret's unbeaten bouldering season to Angela Eiter's route up La Planta de Shiva 25 years later, these women are among the best ever. The reason being that the width of grades on a specific scale are not comparable or that grades are not linear across the whole scale. These systems help climbers communicate how hard a route is and what kind of challenges to expect. 15c) for women. National Climbing Classification System (USA): NCCS grades, often called “commitment grades,” indicate the time investment in a route for an “average” climbing team. But what happens when a climber reaches the highest level of difficulty? What is the hardest grade in rock climbing? Oct 8, 2025 · The complete climbers guide to bouldering grades is here! Everything you need to know from history to training tips to send your project! Mar 17, 2023 · What are bouldering grades? Simply put, bouldering grades are a made-up system consisting mainly of letters and numbers to measure the difficulty of a boulder problem. 14d. Jun 8, 2023 · Perhaps you’re curious as to why we’ve held our tongues on the tantalizing topic of V17 boulders. When Czech climber Adam Ondra made the first free ascent on 3 September 2017, it became the first rock climb in the world to have a proposed climbing grade of 9c (5. Would you follow in their footsteps in attempting these fearsome climbs? Get to grips with bouldering grades and learn how to use them to navigate the sport, from beginner-friendly V0 routes to the most challenging V16 ascents. A climber’s height, ape index, climb style, or location can make a climb feel harder or easier. 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. C3+). 10 trad at the time); B2 was “very difficult”—or greater than 5. To push beyond the V6 grade requires a lot more technique, power and finger strength which is, I think, why many people are struggling with that. To Learn about climbing and bouldering ratings, including how route difficulty is measured and the difference between a rating and a grade. This elite grading signifies a groundbreaking achievement in th Mar 24, 2022 · The B-system had three tiers: B1 was “difficult,” denoting the highest level in roped climbing (about 5. Mar 7, 2021 · Know what's up! Understand the standard scale systems of climbing grades and bouldering ratings with Pelican's ultimate guide. Essentially, rock climbing grades are great for giving context to the suggested technical difficulty of the climb, but also shouldn’t be used like they’re set in stone. 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. Invented in France, and adopted for its simplicity, it spread to become the most This is a bouldering climbing grade conversion chart. americanalpineclub. Sep 26, 2024 · The highest grade currently recognized in this system is 9c, which represents an extraordinary level of difficulty that only a handful of climbers have successfully completed. Climbing grading systems are an integral component of our sport. com Feb 14, 2024 · Learn how bouldering grades are assigned, why they matter, and what they mean. It signifies an incredibly difficult boulder problem, sometimes only attempted by the very best climbers on the planet. From V0 to V15, unlock the secrets of difficulty ratings and elevate your climbing game. Be able to rock climb up to 5. And “35” currently being the highest climbing grade completed here in Oz. Bouldering is a dynamic and powerful style of rock climbing, focusing on short, challenging routes called “problems” that are tackled without the use of ropes or harnesses. Learn how bouldering V-scales compare to YDS for route climbing, understand the journey from indoor to outdoor climbing, and explore international grading systems. [1][7] He went to Mount Madonna, and attended Soquel High School for a year. Rock climbing grades are a means of estimating the difficulty of a climb. Although he is a bouldering and sport climbing specialist, he also made the first ascent of the hardest big wall climb ever attempted, the Dawn Wall. Learn about the Yosemite and French grading systems and how the two compare. 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! Climbing Career If there is one name that is synonymous with record-breaking climbing it’s Adam Ondra. My gym gives every climb an exact grade, so the hardest grade always depends on the current set. 10—a category for stouter, “bouldering-level” problems; and B3 meant the “limit,” a problem done only once (or, as Gill wrote in his 1969 essay “ The Art of The above appears courtesy of the American Alpine Journal. You may be visiting different gyms in your area or have tried outdoor climbs and noticed that the grades aren’t as black and white as they seem on paper. See full list on topbouldering. Bouldering Grades Bouldering is a form of rock climbing that is performed without the use of ropes or harnesses. rsga nhim5b bjlr wh6oe rd qai vfkn uadjs d3bz10 df13