flat strap photo

Class 4 climbing route. At class four, falls can result in death or serious injury.


  • Class 4 climbing route. As such, they are only suitable for experienced hikers. The Keyhole Route is by far the most popular route on the mountain. The Knife Edge on Capitol Peak in Colorado is an example of a Class 4 climb The class 5 portion of the class scale is primarily a rock climbing classification system, while classes 1–4 are used for hiking and scrambling. Finishing a Class IV section of a technical route on Longs Peak Class V The start of true climbing How much, if any, technical training is required for the class 4 Colorado 14ers? I know that class 4 means there is no true “rock climbing” but various sources seem to have conflicting information. Nov 13, 2023 · This article provides an in-depth look at the Yosemite Decimal System, a widely-used grading system for rock climbing and hiking routes. 1–5. The climbing grade system can be a bit confusing, especially for beginners. Technical climbing equipment not necessarily needed. With short enough moves and large enough ledges a climb becomes a scramble, but there is this middle type of climbing that seems excessively easy, yet terribly exposed, and when we rope up for it we call it low May 19, 2016 · More difficult terrains, like Class 3 and 4 routes, have more exposure requiring actual climbing, and easier terrains, have well-kept trails and less hand-foot climbing is required, according to 14ers. I’ve done a few class 3 mountains (within Colorado) and am hoping to attempt some class 4s but also of course want to make sure I am prepared. The difficulty rating gives a climber an indication of what moves, strength and/or skill the route might involve. Read on for more info. Jun 27, 2024 · The Class 5 category of technical climbing is then further broken down into the climbing ratings for the YDS: 5. Moved PermanentlyThe document has moved here. In some instances, a separate rating is assigned to the summit block of the climb. Also note that exposure, or the distance you could fall, is not part of the difficulty rating: you can walk a class 1 route along the Grand Canyon with thousands of feet of exposure or climb a class 5 face with a few feet of exposure. Did you know in the US there is a distinctive classification for walking routes, hiking routes, rock climbing routes, and others (ice climbing, mountaineering, etc)? There is also a protection rating that is ranked like a movie rating from rated G to The remaining 1,000 feet requires Class 3 and 4 climbing, careful route-finding, and has no consistent trail. 4 is a very easy climb, while a 5. Using the same start to the standard route as described above, reach the west ridge and hike along the ridge to the notch. org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineeringNortheast Ridge Direct The Northeast Ridge Direct is a variation of the standard Knife Edge Route from Capitol Lake. Jan 28, 2022 · Why do climbers create and use grading systems? When climbers attempt to ascend a new route, there are many benefits to learning information from previous climbing parties who successfully climbed the route before them. The 5th class defined a technical climbing route that requires skilled use of small holds to ascend and the use of a rope to safely protect the climber. Climbing routes on 14ers. Overall, it seems like the climb up Everest is not very technical--it's mainly the altitude and weather that make it so difficult. From the beginner-friendly Class 1 walks to the technically challenging Class 5 climbs, each rating provides a valuable insight into the difficulty and skills required to undertake a particular route. Belayed roping requires protection. This decimal extension was created and developed in Southern California to classify the difficulty of various routes at Tahquitz and Suicide Rocks. Instead of traversing below the ridge between the Daly-K2 Saddle (above Capitol Lake), this route climbs the ridge directly to K2. What Are Climbing Grades? Two climbing routes at an American climbing gym. Much of it is nothing more than a rugged hike. Climbing grades are a number or number-letter combination designed to correspond to the physical difficulty of a climb. It also has the potential for longer falls, so be on your toes! Class 5 – At this highest route classification, climbing is more technical. It was soon discovered that class 5 encompassed such a large group of rock that it was sub-divided into a decimal system. Gear Needed: With class 4, helmets are highly recommended. [1] The current definition for each class is: [1] Class 1 Hiking or running on a trail. Between late May and October, hiking/running the Mount Whitney Trail and climbing on the Mountaineer's Route are popular. This article includes all fifty-eight of the Colorado 14ers ranked by difficulty. I, personally, will not do sustained Class IV hiking/climbing solo. There is usually exposure on class 4 hikes, and some hikers may bring climbing gear for safety. A fall without a rope would result in serious injury or death. 10: Intermediate but more technical grade that may have overhangs. Learn how difficulty ratings work and what they mean for your next So, what are the mountaineering grading systems? The main mountaineering grading systems including the French Mountaineering Grades (going from F “easy” to ED “Extremely Difficult), the Yosemite Decimal System (going from Class 1 to Class 5 terrain), and the National Climbing Classification System (going from Grade I to Grade VII). Dec 7, 2016 · Understanding rock climbing grades and ratings will help you to challenge and strengthen yourself as a climber. Many people have died on this route. C3+). May 4, 2020 · Climbing grades give an idea of how easy, moderate, or difficult a particular climbing route is. 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. So here is your complete guide to understanding! Aug 12, 2022 · Routes are rated for their hardest segment, also known as the "crux. 5. While Fremont is the highest peak on the great western wall of Titcomb Basin, it is much easier to climb from Indian Basin. The Trap Dike is not a beginner-friendly trek; it is only recommended for very skillful adventurers that have some rock climbing experience. There are two waterfalls where the climbing is steep and dangerous. An unprotected fall on 5th-class terrain would surely be fatal. Learn more about it! 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. Plus climbs on K2, Rainier, Denali, Orizaba, Aconcagua, Longs Peak, Colorado 14ers, Broad Peak, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Ama Dablam, Mont Blanc and more. 4 This route is a fun alternative to the Hourglass gully. The AMGA Alpine Guide should refrain from doing long sections of high standard 5 th class climbing that is more akin to Certified Rock Guide terrain without also holding that certification. To help make everything easier, I’ve broken the entire Class 1 was simple trail walking, and class 5 was considered technical climbing. 1-5. Class 5 - Lead climbing. Fremont Peak is THE mountain to climb on a trip to Titcomb Basin, and would make a wonderful introduction to Wyoming for someone who has previous experience with class 3-4 alpine climbing in Colorado or California. Hiking Class 3 Class 3 is my personal favorite right now! It is defined as scrambling with increased exposure and the need for route finding. Difficulty Ratings and Route Length Ratings CLASS Class, which refers to the technical difficulty of a route, ranges from Class 1 (walking on a well-maintained trail) to Class 6 (hanging from climbing gear while using engineering skills to ascend a cliff). Jul 8, 2008 · One of the most confusing elements for a new climber is how the climbing class and grade systems work in the United States. Jul 14, 2018 · There are so many interesting histories, trivia, and facts that I learned about rock climbing the past six to seven years that blew my mind. Route 4: North Ridge – Class 4, Moderate Snow This route has been favored by those intent on climbing Gannett as fast as possible, because when combined with an approach up Tourist Creek, this route is slightly shorter (but much more rugged) than the east-side approaches. Also known as the Ellingwood Arete, it is one of the 50 classic climbs of North America! Mount Whitney : SummitPost. If you avoid the narrow spots, be advised the climbing could become exposed Class 4 climbing. This guide explains the different grading systems used in rock climbing and offers tips to level up your skills. For "clean aid climbing" (i. One of the most vital pieces of information relevant to a known route is the grade or difficulty rating. With careful routefinding, the route can be kept at Class 4 in difficulty. Grades are used in rock climbing gyms and outdoors. 6) early is good. Class 4 is a little more intense than that, you need to be more careful with route finding and hand/foot holds, its easy enough to climb without ropes but is only generally done by people confident with exposure and anything class 3. e. Roped glacier travel also constitutes class 4 since the party should have class 4 skills available for safety reasons, even if they are not actually used on a given climb. Climbs in the Crestone Group range from long Class 3-4 scrambles to the epic Peak-To-Needle Traverse to the technical Ellingwood Ledges route. For now, let’s focus on what this 5. Mar 20, 2017 · One of the most confusing elements for a new climber is how the climbing class and grade systems work in the United States. Then activity generally slackens during the next few months while the snow pack accumulates until the February to early May season when ski For example, bouldering is usually a more power-driven route and rock climbing is a more endurance-driven route so even if someone can climb a V9, they may not be able to climb a 5. Oct 30, 2018 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Oct 7, 2020 · Routes up 14ers range in difficulty from class 1, a simple hike, to class 5, roped technical climbing. Learn about climbing and bouldering ratings, including how route difficulty is measured and the difference between a rating and a grade. Oct 15, 2018 · Understanding 4th Class Terrain by Ed Graef | Oct 15, 2018 | Colorado, Hiking To hike all the 14ers in Colorado you have to be able to scramble some 4th class terrain. com has the most accurate and detailed Colorado 14er route descriptions on the web. 9. Climb the highest mountain in the lower 48 states. 6 and vertical 5. Overview This route is a fun alternative to the standard south slopes which involves a beautiful, solid ridge scramble with a few sections of low 5th class climbing making a rope advised if your party is planning to do the direct ridge route. But the role of climbing grades stretches beyond mere progress tracking. If you hike a class 2 trail from point A to point B, and are required to scale a 20 foot wall of rock (class 4) along the way, then you hiked a class 4 trail regardless of the normal exposure. Aid climbing grades take time to stabilize as successive repeats of aid climbing routes can materially reduce the grade. Dec 22, 2024 · From beginner-friendly paths to expert-only ascents, understanding climbing route classifications is essential for every climber. While the easiest route is said to be class 2-3, it’s not frequently climbed and finding that route seems to be tricky based on the few online writeups that exist. Learn to read and understand and interpret canyon ratings by breaking down an example rating. A rope is strongly advised. 4-5. The YDS scale divides routes into classes based on the physical effort, technical skill, and risk May 2, 2023 · The five represents the YDS class climbing routes are categorized under, something we’ll explain in more detail in the next section. Learn everything about the grading systems used in rock climbing. So if snow en route on rock doesn't bother you, the West Ridge (straight-forward ridge climb with one crux 5. Mount Olympus, in the center of Olympic National Park, is one of the "Five Majors" and a big accomplishment. One has a grade of 5. 0-5. 4 region involve trivial climbing, albeit fatally-exposed, and that fit individuals with little Since the list is arranged by class rating, you may notice some routes with greater overall effort (e. The list is also based on airport proximity. The peaks are ranked according to their class difficulty first, and then by elevation gain, distance, and route-finding within each class. Wilson, Sunlight Peak, Little Bear Peak, and Capitol Peak. " Owen Spalding is a "non-sustained" 5. Ropes and climbing gear are brought by some. The 14ers that require 4th class scrambling are arguably among the finest peaks in CO: North Maroon Peak, Pyramid Peak, Mt. Whitney Trail, this route features some real alpine rock climbing up to Class 4. While the climbing or traversing might be considered easy, unstable terrain and a high level of exposure warrant the use of a rope for most Class 4 routes. After a lot of bushwhacking and steep, loose gully climbing, you will arrive at this small east-facing rock; climbing it is the easiest way through the summit cliff. Understanding the Yosemite Decimal System: A Guide to Rock Climbing Grades in North America. Developed in the 1950s in Yosemite National Park, this system was created by rock climbers to standardize ratings for various routes. 8's and a 5. A Breakdown of the YDRS To break down the system, class 1 is for walking on a pre made trail; class 2 is hiking an incline; class 3 is climbing a sharp incline without a rope; class 4 is an exposed route along a ledge, possibly including a rope; and class 5 signals technical rock Nov 1, 2024 · The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a grading scale that evaluates the difficulty of hiking and climbing routes, especially for mountaineering and rock climbing. org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineeringWhen To Climb, Ski, etc. The climbing is highly enjoyable with much sustained class 3 climbing, scrambling over boulders and rock faces that line the watercourse. Dec 6, 2006 · The bigger issue with climbing class 4 routes on 14ers is route finding. If you're new to climbing 14ers, make sure to start with the easiest ones. Aug 12, 2019 · Mount Sill is a mostly technical peak with many routes ranging from class 2-3 scrambling all the way up to fifth class rock climbing. I find Jun 5, 2023 · Rock climbing grading systems are the heart and soul of our beloved pursuit. Capitol Peak : SummitPost. Mount Whitney is a year-round mountain. 4 - a physically fit climber can actually climb at this level with a little or no rock climbing skills, using only natural ability. Summer storms can makes the Homestretch quite slippery Aug 24, 2022 · The former route is rated Class 5. It's the system used to grade the technical difficulty of rock climbs. As you climb higher, the terrain becomes more rugged and requires some Class 3 scrambling, especially on the ridge crest - 4. Anyone looking to complete a Class 3, 4, or 5 route is encouraged to seek out specialized training from an experienced climbing guide or instructor before setting out on their own. It can as easily be used for either an ascent or descent route. For instance, if a route is mostly a Class 1 walking trail with a short section of a Class 4 climb, it will still be rated as Class 4. I draw the line between class 3 and class 4 according to whether a fall would be free, at least momentarily (but see below). At class four, falls can result in death or serious injury. Many individual A long 17+ mile approach, a glacier with crevasses and bergschrunds, and a Class 4 rock climb with a Class 5 step on loose rocky ramps to the summit of its West Peak. When planning to climb a new boulder or mountain, it is essential to ascertain the degree of climbing difficulty. The Elk Range, however, is amazing, and the area around Pyramid and the Maroon Bells is one of Colorado’s most famous and most photographed. Plus, learn what you and your group might enjoy or want to avoid! A fall on 4th class terrain would likely be fatal. It is also time-consuming. Because Mar 7, 2021 · Class 4 – Getting steeper, Class 4 requires the use of a rope and is very exposed. 15 (extremely difficult). 6 and involves far more technical climbing; as such, it tends to be more popular among guides and experienced climbers. Beyond 5 it begins using decimal points to rate technical climbs. Climbing the Needle is more difficult and dangerous than most other Colorado 14ers, including Crestone Peak. Jun 14, 2022 · Class 5 routes are all rock climbing routes, and these have been further subdivided into 14 smaller classifications, so for our purposes here, we’ll just look at the first four classes since these cover hiking trails. ‘Class four’ is a lie we tell ourselves. A route beyond your skill level can be more 14er climbing routes. In addition to these, be sure to consider the overall difficulty of the route, which includes the distance you will travel, amount of elevation required, risk factors along the way, and terrain conditions. 14 route is very difficult. Sep 11, 2015 · Hand and footholds still easily found typically. Many of the California 14ers have Class 5 “options” to reach the summit. Climb up the couloir (Class 3). Aug 30, 2021 · Simply put, rock climbing grades describe the difficulty of a route. Class 2 Simple scrambling, with the possibility of occasional use of the hands. 4 but involves a long hike up a scree-and-talus couloir to the 13,200-foot Upper Saddle before any technical climbing begins. Planning on climbing Crestone Needle? Get started with route descriptions, maps, weather info, and more with my free Crestone Needle route guide. Jul 1, 2019 · The Trap Dike is rated Class 4 because the climbing is relatively easy. The phrase Hiking implies Class 1 or Class 2 (generally not needing hands for stability) The phrase Scrambling implies Class 3, Class 4, or So, what are scrambling grades? Scrambles in North America are graded on the Yosemite Decimal System, ranging from Class 1 (Easy Hiking) to Class 5 (Rock Climbing). The ranking of Class 5 climbs is further broken down by difficulty from 5. The standard route is short and less complicated than Maroon Peak but requires class 4 climbing and is very exposed. The latter route is rated Class 5. 4, which means only a few moves warrant that rating. It is generally understood that climbs in the class 5. From the saddle, follow cairns along the right side of the ridge before climbing back to the ridge crest ( 14, 15). Many alpine climbing routes feature Class IV hiking/climbing. Yet the holds are plentiful and large. Sep 6, 2021 · If you are wanting to move from class 1 and class 2 alpine hikes, like those found on many 14ers, and move on to class 3 and class 4 climbing, you may need to make some adjustments to your preparation, focus, equipment, and movement. As you scramble toward the crux wall ( 5), it's clear that the route is becoming more serious. In North America, vertical travel is generally described using the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). Grade IV is a full-day adventure. 5 or 5. Ratings used internationally today include no less than seven… The class of a route is derived from its "crux" or hardest move. Some beginners use a rope on this type of climb and most of the time a helmet is necessary. This video walks you through 5 foundational tips for climbing 14ers, 13ers, and other alpine peaks. Mount Wilson, a Colorado 14er, is an example of a class 4 hike. X means when climbing. 3 climbing. Falling would be serious. Alan Arnette's public speaking, Alzheimer's fund raising and mountaineering website. Class 4-Simple climbing, often using ropes with possibly fatal risks Class 5-Technical free climbing, involving belaying, ropes, and climbing hardware with risk of serious injury or death 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. Consider adding the Middle and East Peaks for a traverse of Route Descriptions for The Crestones and Humboldt Peak | The Crestones and Humboldt Peak Hikes | Please choose your routes wisely Feb 28, 2023 · Climb better by learning climbing grades. Trip Report Night Life in Jackson So plan laid, gear packed and carbos loaded, I headed to Lupine Meadows. Class 5: Rock climbing. 5-5. This is a good way to plan your 14er trips if you are working to climb The routes can be long and complex with the majority of the terrain being 3 rd and 4 th class with significant steps of 5 th class. View route info, maps & photos for each route. com class rating system. 8 crux well into the climb) when there's snow on it compared to the West so maybe that should Canyoneering ratings have five parts, including Technical, Water, Time, Additional Risk and Route Quality elements. We know what scrambling feels like, and we know what easy climbing feels like, and it relates basically to the overall angle of the slope. Scrambles in the UK are graded from 1-4, with 1 being moderately difficult and 4 being extremely difficult: Jun 24, 2020 · Class 4 is considered to be more of a climbing or mountaineering route than a hiking trail. Feb 23, 2023 · Both Class 3 and Class 4 routes can be classified as “scrambling” and come with a heightened level of risk. 14ers. It is a stunning peak. This climb, organized by International Mountain Guides and operated under contract with Sierra Mountaineering International, ascends the Mountaineer's Route on the east side of the mountain. Class Below you'll find a comprehensive explanation of the different climbing rating systems. About half way up, the climbing gets very steep and you'll get channeled into some narrow spots that make the climbing challenging but fun. Mt Everest trip reports, picture galleries, videos. If you're researching a route that's best done with snow coverage, you might also see Snow Steepness and Ski ratings. 12: Hard to difficult, technical Aug 4, 2021 · A Class 4 climb is often considered to be more of a climbing or mountaineering route than a hiking trail. For example, a 5. This can be a complicated system. Much of the time you’re moving up from one comfortable ledge to another. , longer distances, significant elevation gains) appearing earlier than those with higher class ratings but lower overall effort. Instead of leaving the ridge and traversing right onto the southwest face, continue directly up the crest of the ridge and . But that is me. Feb 19, 2021 · Rock climbing grades are used to describe the difficulty of climbing routes. This is where climbing grades become useful. The route is rated class 3 because of the section from the notch to the summit. The approach goes through a true old growth rain forest. For route climbing, trad and bouldering. Sierra Class 3 Insofar as I can tell, the Yosemite Decimal System, which is by far the most widely-used climbing route grading system in the United States, works extremely well provided you stay within the bounds of the Class 5 designation. From the Long's Peak Trailhead the route is a classic class 3 climb and measures 15 miles round trip with 5000' elevation gain. From this ledge there are several good routes to the top, all of which entail another 20 feet of solid Class 4 climbing. 8: Intermediate climbing that requires some skill on small handholds and footholds. 4: Easy climbing with large handholds and footholds, suitable for beginners. Nov 29, 2023 · Understanding the mountaineering class ratings is crucial for anyone embarking on an adventure into the world of climbing and mountaineering. Much more adventurous than the Mt. Class 5: Anything in Class 5 is considered rock climbing, if you have ever climbed using a rope (or without one) you are probably aware of this. Recall that the YDS rating system begins at class 1 for easy trail walking, class 4 is like climbing a ladder, and technical climbing begins at class 5. Clint Barg and David Hoversland climbed a variation of the South Ridge Route in July 2019. The Mountaineer’s Route is the original ascent route via the beautiful North Fork of Lone Pine Creek. com are assigned a Class difficulty rating. It should be emphasized that West Ridge Direct - Class 5. They serve as our tool to gauge and celebrate our climbing milestones, and they form the dialect when expressing our personal verdicts on how challenging a particular ascent or boulder conundrum feels. Class 5: Climbing Jun 23, 2024 · The YDS is divided into five classes: Class 1 being walking on a flat surface, Class 2 requiring the use of hands for balance, Class 3 involving scrambling with the potential for a fall, Class 4 requiring technical climbing skills, and Class 5 being vertical or near-vertical climbing. 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. Feb 9, 2023 · When climbers discuss climbing roped climbing routes, the difficulty rating of the climb is often considered essential information. 11-5. Most of the elevation is gained by using the typically snow filled gully that leads from Iceberg Lake to the above Scrambling 101 Steeper than a hike but not as difficult as a rock climb, scrambles can be tackled with a little know-how and gear you probably already own. Nevertheless, I would not recommend free-soloing the Trap Dike (that is, climbing without a THE NATIONAL CLIMBING CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (NCCS) The NCCS assigns grades to describe the overall difficulty of a route in terms of time and technical route difficulty, taking the following factors in to account: length of the climb, number of pitches, average pitch difficulty, difficulty of the hardest pitch, commitment, route-finding problems, and ascent time. The climbing line takes you up a steep couloir that separates the northeast ridge from the east buttress of Mt Whitney. 9-5. Their route followed the East Ridge to the point where they could traverse across the peak’s Lower Southeast Face. 8 shows this dihedral section with a climber on the ledge, in 9 the climber is on the ledge heading left towards the cairn and another 20 feet of climbing. Many ind May 15, 2025 · CLASS 5 Class 5 is when you enter the realm of technical rock climbing, and you should always be roped up and be belayed. Because of the exposure present, a fall at this level may result in death. The main use of assigning route difficulty is to help other climbers judge whether it is suitable for their level. I was in a climbing gym recently after a 10 year hiatus and I flashed 5. 9 with little trouble (not that that is that great, but it is a lot harder than 4). In today's use of the terms, all "rock climbing" is Class 5 or 6. May 5, 2024 · Ranging from 4-6 hours, less straightforward route finding or more difficult climbing but still in the category of straightforward approaches/descents. Climbing grades for rock and alpine routes are always expressed on a May 31, 2020 · To help orient and understand the systems, here’s what you need to know about climbing grades. Difficulties relent further up and climbing is good until you just about run out of mountain, where some loose talus may be Aug 10, 2010 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. This is a long, arduous ascent normally that gets quite difficult and even dangerous when conditions are bad. g. But what goes into climbing grades, and why do they so often involve so many letters and numbers? Climbing is rife with technical jargon, and trying to decode the abbreviations can seem daunting. The standard route requires Class 4 climbing skills along with solid route-finding skills so you'll definitely want a bunch of easier summits under your belt before you tackle this peak. 0 – 5. All the fourteeners can be climbed using Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 routes without any technical roped Class 1: flat ground, easy walking Class 2: Inclined and uneven, more difficult walking Class 3: Very uneven and inclined, may be using hands to ascend Class 4: Hands and feet necessary to easily ascend. East Ridge/South Face Route, Class 3-4 — All Photos by Clint Barg unless otherwise noted. Hikes that are Class 5 are almost always very exposed and involve vertical climbing. As with the Bells, Pyramid consists of horrible rock and is a dangerous climb. 12b, the other a grade of 5. Feb 12, 2019 · A rope is sometimes used in Class 5 climbing, but usually not necessary in Class 4. However, always PEAKBAGGERS » Browse, filter + search a complete list of all Class 4 routes on ranked Colorado 13ers. The class of a route is derived from its "crux" or hardest move. The Mountaineer's Route is typically a third-class loose rock gully in the summer but come spring, it becomes a snow climb ascending terrain up to 45°. Near 13,200', before the ridge becomes more difficult, follow cairns that lead left (south Feb 2, 2020 · Colorado’s 14ers range in difficulty from easy class one day hikes to overnight class four climbs. The easiest, standard route goes up through the trees on the left (west) and then circles back to gain the summit with a tiny east facing pitch of 3rd-class difficulty. UK grades, French system and US grading. Class 5 - Climbing involves use of rope and natural or artificial protection by the leader to protect against a serious fall. The decimals tell us just what you'd expect– as the decimal goes up, so does a route’s difficulty. Typically, there are natural hand holds on a class 3 climb with decent exposure. Mt Whitney's Mountaineer's Route is the second most popular route up Mt Whitney. There may be a few low Class 5 moves in this section. Technical maneuvers to ascend. 10 because they don’t have the energy/endurance to get to the top. The East Ridge Direct early may be a LOT more difficult (ridge with multiple gendarmes/by-passes 5. It involves some tougher climbing over slightly more solid rock. The rest of the route consists of class 3–4 scrambling and 5. 0 (easiest) to 5.