Yosemite decimal system chart. While it is primarily used in the U.
Yosemite decimal system chart Sep 29, 2025 · First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Some gyms use the classic V-grade system, marking each boulder problem with a V-grade on a tag or piece of tape at its start. Apr 28, 2025 · Blasting for trail repair on the John Muir Trail will result in trail closures on Mondays and Thursdays from 7 am to 2 pm (November 3 to early December). Grades initiate at 5. Yosemite Decimal System 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. Jan 17, 2024 · Tunnel View provides one of the most famous views of Yosemite Valley. On this one, they've stuck 5a on the line between 5. Here's how to read it and pick the route for you. In bouldering, it generally addresses the ease or challenge of the ascent. Originally created for trad climbing in Yosemite Valley, it's now the standard system across North America for all rock climbing styles. The exact definitions of each of the classes are not fully agreed upon, but the general canyoneering interpretation is included below. The Yosemite Decimal System The YDS is a grading system used to rate the difficulty of climbs in rock climbing, mountaineering, and similar outdoor activities. 13a is the kind of climb that only expert climbers can pull off. S. When you are reading a route description or trip report, keep in mind that there may not be general agreement on ratings. Our climbing grades convertors (both classic routes and boulders) have been made by great climbers, traveling and climbing all around the world for more than 15 years. Nov 1, 2024 · Explore the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) and its class ratings for hiking and climbing. This system starts at 5. You will receive a copy of the Yosemite Guide when you enter the park. 15 (hardest). something Grades 1 to 4 refer to walks of increasing difficulty, by the time you reach 5 you are assumed to be scrambling over rocks which equates to about 5. Jul 20, 2020 · In the U. Jun 23, 2024 · The IFAS grading system is often compared to the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) used in the United States and the British grading system used in the UK. Sub-Grade (Yosemite Decimal System). Information about the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) in American rock climbing, examining its history, and the meaning of the various grades and modifiers. Aug 18, 2017 · YDS stands for the Yosemite Decimal System and it is a grading system for hiking, scrambling, and climbing. 8 and 5. These ratings do not describe the amount of effort required; class 1 can be long and strenuous and class 5 can be quick and easy. May 31, 2020 · Grading happens both indoors and outdoors. From here you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall rising from Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome in the background. YDS is the dominant classification system in the United States and parts of Canada. Jan 28, 2022 · The YDS is a flexible grading system that can describe the length, difficulty, and difficulty of protection on a given route, from a single-pitch sport climb to a 30-pitch trad climb. All rope climbs start with a “5” which signifies that it is a rope route. Mar 30, 2023 · Gym Grading: Gyms in North America use the Yosemite Decimal System for route grades. The rope grading system at Velocity Miami is based on a simplified version of the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). Sep 25, 2023 · Yosemite Decimal System Yosemite Decimal System (YDS Grade): Born in the USA during the 1930s, this system, particularly its ‘fifth class’, is tailored for technical climbing. The Yosemite Decimal System is a scale for rating the difficulty of trails and climbing routes. -based Sierra Club in the 1950s, the YDS unified and refined previous systems from the early days of Yosemite Valley climbing. Nov 7, 2025 · Trails in Yosemite may be closed when there are hidden hazards or when they are impassable due to rockfall, snow, ice, or fire. The Wikipedia description may be found here. Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) Developed in the United States, the YDS begins at 5. 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. 11a, etc. The best way to approach the conversion is to travel, go climbing and get used to the different grades! Have fun! P. 15, with letter grades (a, b, c, d) at higher difficulties. United States Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a grading system commonly found in the United States, starting with a 5. 10 doesn't exist and any grade that has - is a/b and + is c/d and outside of that everything else will be a,b,c,d. Open trails aren't necessarily free of hazards. The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a system that is used to rate the difficulty of walks, hikes, and climbs. Converting between them is no cakewalk, and figuring out which system applies to what type of climbing adds another layer of confusion. What they're describing is the difficulty level of the climb and the rating is from the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). Aug 24, 2025 · What is the Yosemite Decimal System? The Yosemite Decimal System is a five-class scale that categorizes the technical difficulty of various terrain, from simple walking paths to highly technical rock climbs. Class 5 is where rock climbing begins and is subdivided into various levels. 9 and have pushed 6a to 10b. 8+. Mar 31, 2016 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. , you can find YDS grades all around the world. One of the metrics included in the trip planning information is the “difficulty”, ranging from class 1 to class 5. While all three systems aim to provide climbers with a consistent way to assess the difficulty of climbs, there are some key differences. Feb 4, 2015 · I don’t recommend that you blindly trust this table – there can be differences from country to country or even between climbing areas. 6, 5. At one of my visits to Planet Granite in SF, the indoor gym I typically go to, I finally saw a conversion chart. It was devised by the Sierra Club and comprises three parts that rate the difficulty level of walks, hikes and climbs. There are many factors which influence the ratings, such as the difficulty, time commitment, length of climb, and risk. The full Mist Trail, the John Muir Trail between Clark Point and Panorama Trail Sep 2, 2025 · Ranger and Interpretive Programs Yosemite offers a range of informative and inspiring walks and talks to learn about Yosemite. The $35/car park entrance fee still applies when you arrive. The only access in this area during these times will be to Vernal Fall footbridge and Clark Point, with no access to the top of Vernal Fall or Nevada Fall. While the YDS ratings only address the difficulty of the hardest section of a route, Scrambling Ratings also Yosemite Decimal System The 1-5 hiking classes are part of the Yosemite Decimal System and was created in the 1950s by members of the Sierra Club who wanted a way to communicate and assess the difficulty of routes in their mountaineering efforts. The Yosemite decimal system also describes non-technical hikes, and mountain summit climbs. 10+ = 5. Developed by the U. This system then assigns an additional number from 1 to 15 to a climbing route based on its overall difficulty, encompassing factors like technical difficulty, strength requirement, endurance and mental Jun 23, 2024 · Once a consensus is reached, a grade is assigned to the route based on the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) or another standardized grading system. YDS classes Class 1: Easy, well-maintained trails Class 2: Rougher trails where hands are sometimes needed to steady Sep 11, 2015 · An explanation of the different classes of the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) esp as it applies to hiking. Nov 23, 2025 · The definitive guide to the Yosemite Decimal System. As I started to rock climb I got confused by these different rating systems and their relationships. The Yosemite Decimal System is used mainly for rock climbing, but it is also widely used in hiking. Maybe I'm dumb and it's all over the Internet, not sure why I had a hard time with this. 8, 5. Includes examples of the different grades, links, multimedia, pictures, photos, and video The Yosemite Decimal System has 5 classes ranging from Class 1 to Class 5, which are used to classify all terrain according to the difficulty for humans to travel across with no mechanical advantage (like, let's say, a four-wheeler). Definitions for Scrambling Ratings To distinguish the difficulty of non-technical mountain climbs more clearly, the Scrambling Ratings framework divides each of the four, non-technical Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) categories into three parts and expands the scope of the ratings. Sep 22, 2025 · Yosemite National Park includes nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous scenery, including high cliffs, deep valleys, tall waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, and a large wilderness. Oct 15, 2021 · The Yosemite Decimal System is a detailed rating system that notifies hikers and climbers of the difficulty of a hike or climb. The Yosemite Decimal System is the oldest climbing grade system still in use. Mar 17, 2012 · In the United States for sport climbing and other forms of rock climbing we use the Yosemite Decimal System. The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a rating system used by rock climbers to choose appropriate climbs that are challenging, within their abilities, and to bring proper gear. [1] In North America both sport and trad rock climbs are graded using the YDS (Yosemite Decimal System). We break down Classes 1-4 with case studies and field-tested rules to keep you safe on any scramble. Sep 5, 2021 · Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) — 5. Sep 23, 2025 · The Yosemite Guide contains information about trip planning, activities, and visitor services. Free climbing grades are generally understood to reflect the hardest move or section on a particular route. Yosemite Valley is the main destination for most visitors but there are many places to go in the park. In the USA, both indoor and outdoor routes are graded on the Yosemite Decimal System. Class 1 Hiking on a trail. Sep 2, 2025 · Lodging options inside Yosemite National Park are managed by Yosemite Hospitality, and range from simple tent cabins at the High Sierra Camps to deluxe rooms at The Ahwahnee. Sometimes the conditions and the state of the routes can also influence the grades. Learn how to assess trail difficulty and have a great climb! Here are the five classes, where each bullet represents a different opinion as to what the class actually represents. Although YDS is mostly used in the United States, YDS classes are mapped to other national and Sep 29, 2025 · First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Mar 25, 2024 · Sport climbing grades are typically denoted using the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) in the United States, ranging from 5. Our secret (or maybe not so secret anymore) tip for Apr 13, 2025 · In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deep into the various grading systems used across the globe, how they compare, and what they mean for climbers of all levels. While it is primarily used in the U. You only get into hard or easy number for grades without a letter so 5. Types of Indoor Climbing Grades Indoor climbing grades are used to indicate the difficulty level of a climbing route. I've always found that the French grading system doesn't really have a 1-to-1 translation to Yosemite decimal system. The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is a scale used to rate the difficulty of hiking and climbing routes. It is used mostly by mountaineers in the United States and Canada. 0. The system was first developed in the 1950s at Yosemite National Park in California and has since become widely used around the world. What do these numbers mean? The short answer is that they’re part of the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). Though it was born in the outdoors, the system is also used to rate route difficulty in climbing gyms. Yosemite Decimal System In the United States, the most commonly used grading system is the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). 41 votes, 26 comments. 10c/d Isn't the Yosemite decimal system great?! This works but I would even take it a step further and say 5. Oct 24, 2017 · 5. Sep 8, 2025 · Entrance Reservations You no longer need a reservation to drive into Yosemite in 2025. Sep 8, 2025 · Pack your patience: millions of people visit Yosemite from April through October. This viewpoint is at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel along the Wawona Road (Highway 41). Rather, the YDS describes the technical . Apr 29, 2024 · The most common free-climbing grading scales are the French, US or Yosemite Decimal System, and the UK scale. 0 (like climbing a steep ladder) and progresses in difficulty up to 5. 8-, 5. , the Yosemite Decimal System is the most commonly used rock climbing ratings system. 0 and advance with technical difficulty. The system has three parts. I had a hard time finding a chart online that converts the Sherman V-grade system for bouldering into the Yosemite Decimal… Jan 6, 2024 · Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), Font, French, Alpine, British Trad, British Tech—the list goes on. In contrast, bouldering grades use the V-scale or Fontainebleau scale, as mentioned earlier. 12a is very difficult, and over 5. 9 and easier you would have 5. From the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) to the Fontainebleau grades, this article will serve as your go-to reference for decoding climbing difficulty. 0 and currently extends to 5. The difficulty of a rock climbing grade is typically classified using one of three different systems: the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), the French Adjectival System, or the British Technical Grade (TG) system. 15 (an overhanging cliff). Two systems are the V-grade system used for bouldering, and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) used for grading routes. Jan 15, 2015 · Difficulty is measured on the Yosemite Decimal System — over 5. 0 (easiest) to 5. Jun 14, 2022 · Different countries use different systems, and the US and Canada have been using the Yosemite Decimal System since the 1950s. For bouldering, on the other hand, there are varying systems in place. Apr 10, 2025 · The US Yosemite Decimal System A climber enjoys the view in Yosemite National Park (Image credit: Getty) Right across the American continent, the system commonly used by walkers, scramblers and climbers in the Yosemite Decimal System. Many systems exist worldwide, though the most common are the Yosemite system and the French system — we’ll talk more about the various systems in a moment.