Can someone explain climbing grades to me?

Question

I've recently been visiting Alien Rock 2 in Edinburgh. It's an indoor climbing wall. Each wall has various routes and a small notice at the bottom with the grade (ie. difficulty). I get that the higher the number the harder the climb, but each route had a section marked "feet". In this section there was one of the following abbreviations: H, F, SS

I assume F stands for features, H for holds but i don't get what SS could be. Also does H mean i can only use the holds of the relevant colour? Or does it mean ANY hold?

I really should've just asked but i've only recently started climbing and i felt a bit stupid! lol

Answer 1

SS, Sitting Start, it is more for boulder problems to add an extra technical dimension to them or in the case of short wall make routes that bit longer.

Normal H means, that it is holds only for hands and feet of your chosen route only., as in not the permanent textured features or other coloured holds.

'HF for Feet' would mean holds of your chosen route only, and any permanent feature.

If in doubt ask, they will probabaly demo a few sit start problems for you!

Your in good position to mix your indoor climbing, between alien 1 + 2, plus ratho when it warms up indoors.

Answer 2

I think the guy above me has it.

I have never heard of that system personally, it sounds like it is particular to bouldering. In Ireland we use both the French and English systems.. just to note that the grades HS, HVS, E1 etc. usually refer to the overall climb while the number system 5a, 5b etc. usually refers to the "crux" of the climb - i.e. the hardest part.

Just check this links here and look at the comparison table.

http://www.snowdonia-adventures.co.uk/information/climbing-grades.html

This is also has good info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grade_(climbing)#Comparison_table

Answer 3

If you're new, ask LOTS of questions. Swallow your pride, it might save your life in the future. There are a few different grading systems and there can be huge variations in how they are allpied from place to place. Don't be afraid to ask, most of the climber I've met are pretty good people. If you don't want to ask the random stranger at the gym, try asking the staff, that's what they're there for. Have you taken a few courses? Good fun and a real good way to meet partners.

Good luck! Climb safe!
http://www.thebmc.co.uk/safety/train/posters05.htm

Answer 4

This is a somewhat different system:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_climbing#Grades