Are you new here?
To learn who I am and what I am about, check out my About page. If you are confused by some of the terminology that I use in my articles when referring to climbing and/or splitboarding, continue reading.
I'm a snowboarder, who focuses on splitboarding:
 |
| Ride mode and climb mode |
...when touring/hiking/skinning in the backcountry/off-piste you use skins on the bottom of your splitboard to climb uphill. Basically it's carpet with a special adhesive on the other side that attaches to your "skis":
Skins -
I also use telescopic poles for balance. Normally, if you are a skier, you would just use normal poles but since I don't use them on the regular, collapsable poles can store away easier.
Poles -
I use this gear in-case I, or my partner is stuck in an avalanche.
Beacon, probe, shovel -
I'm a sport climber/traditional climber (aka trad) /boulderer
Sport climbing uses these on bolts that are permanently in the rock.
Trad climbing uses these as temporary protection on the rock. (In order, Cams, TCUs, Nuts)
Bouldering there is zero protection on the rock. Climbs range typically from 10ft to 35ft, where you climb to the top and climb down a safe side or fall onto one of these.
When on a rope the ratings that the USA follows are:
5.0 to 5.4 - Never been, big hand holds, big foot holds, slanted forward rock
5.5 to 5.8 - Beginner, big hand holds, big foot holds, rock is getting close to 90 degrees.
5.9 to 5.10c - Intermediate, incorporates different types of holds, 90 degreed wall
5.10d to 5.11d - Intermediate-Advanced, smaller holds, 90+ degreed walls
5.12a to 5.13a - Advanced, finger tipped holds, technical climbs with near perfect movements, 90+ degreed walls, sometimes upside down.
5.13b and so on. - Expert, tiny holds, foot holds are rare, precise movements are critical to complete routes, most walls are past 90 degrees at this rating
5.15d - Hardest completed route. Only 2 people have done it in the world.
Once you hit the 5.10 range it goes up in letters up to "d" as well (ie 5.10a, 5.10b, 5.10c, 5.10d, 5.11a, 5.11b, 5.11c, 5.11d, 5.12a, etc etc etc)
There are other ratings for other forms of climbing but I don't do those types, yet.
When bouldering the ratings that the USA follows are:
V0 - Beginner rating
V1
V2
V3
V4 - Intermediate rating
V5
V6
V7 - Advanced
V8
V9
V10 - Expert
V11 and so on - You're pretty much a mutant.
For more information on climbing terminology go here. It should cover everything but more in-depth.
For more information on climbing terminology go here. It should cover everything but more in-depth.