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From: eugene@ames.UUCP (Eugene Miya)
Newsgroups: net.rec
Subject: Re: climbing classifications
Message-ID: <1191@ames.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 10-Oct-85 16:19:50 EDT
Article-I.D.: ames.1191
Posted: Thu Oct 10 16:19:50 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 12-Oct-85 21:42:04 EDT
References: <894@utcs.uucp>
Distribution: net
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 42

> 1 -- A hike, generally no use of hands or ropes necessary.
> 2 -- Hike, may require some use of hands and feet to retain
	Think trailless.
> 3 -- Climbing, requiring use of hands and feet (steeper than a 2, I
	Alternate word used is 'scrambling'.
>      suppose). May require a rope.
	No 'May' this becomes 4th class.
> 
> The class labelled '5' includes, I believe, climbs where a 'top rope'
> is used (i.e. the rope is fastened at the TOP of the climb while
> the climber is on the rock),
	Top rope climbs are not generally rated.  To quote a friend
	from England, there is a big difference at the pointed end of
	the stick.  Actually, there is a double standard here since
	ratings should be "objective."  But for the most part, topping
	is not rated.
> 
> Jon 'Big J' Alexander, U. of Toronto Comp. Serv.

I also forgot to mention, there is a system for rating bouldering
problems developed by John Gill, a Colorado State mathematician who
is generally acknowledged as the premier boulder.  His system is
relative and goes B1, B2, B3.  B1 is about 5.10 and above. B2 are
problems "significantly harder than B1."  B3 problems should be problem
which are infrequently ascended and which with any frequency become
B2 problems.

Regarding your comment about shoes.  If you are just beginning, developing
you skills in balance, finger tip strength, and technical skill are more
important than equipment.  Face it, in this age of specialization, no
single piece of footwear will cover all.  Fire's are very popular now.
I still have two pairs of EBs.  Neither is good for just plan walking.
I walk to the base of climbs in my Roos or my Addais (purchase at a fire
sale) where I put on ice boots, or EBs, or sometimes just climb in
tennis shoes.  Some tennis shoes clearly slip off holds.  Nikes were
real popular in the Valley for a while.  Try different things out.

From the Rock of Ages Home for Retired Hackers:
--eugene miya
  NASA Ames Research Center
  {hplabs,ihnp4,dual,hao,decwrl,allegra}!ames!aurora!eugene
  emiya@ames-vmsb