New zealand climbing grades. For "clean aid climbing" (i.

New zealand climbing grades. Australian: used in Australia and New Zealand, this system ranges from 1 (easiest) to 35 Apr 27, 2025 · Rock climbing grades are numbers (and sometimes number-letter combinations) assigned to routes in order to give a guideline on the overall difficulty. nz was launched in 2010 as an online repository for New Zealand climbing information. Although our three-month trip was cut short by COVID-19, we managed to fit in loads of climbing, hitting crags all over the South Island and, on rainier days, checking out a couple of indoor […] Welcome to Bryce’s NEW online shop open now! Just two hours south of Auckland is New Zealand’s rock climbing mecca, with over 2500 routes of all grades within an hour’s drive of Bryce’s at Wharepapa South, 800 of these routes are within walking distance of Bryce’s. They like this rock. 'Stony Batter'[11874673] is a ferry ride from downtown Auckland and has great bouldering to offer. A short drive from Milford Sound in the Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Site and Fiordland National Park, the compact and rough granite of the Darrans provides a range of classic alpine rock routes in the intermediate to advanced grades. There are also Rock climbing in New Zealand, as a sport in its own right, emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These numbers are based on a variety of factors and work for both indoor and outdoor routes, and are Sep 17, 2024 · Find out the seasons and best months to visit New Zealand for rock climbing. Depending on where you climb in the UK you could find anything from a 4a to an E9 or even an HVS, and don’t get us started on the Australian, European or American grading systems. ps any ideas where I can get a topo for froggatt edge on North island as Im based 3 hours away? Jul 25, 2025 · The Complete Guide to Mixed Climbing Grades explains everything you need to know to gauge the difficulty of mixed climbs & relates them to familiar YDS rock climbing grades. Like the French grading system, it only takes into account the route's climbing difficulty – so be aware that this doesn't include how well protected or not a route is. Rockfax guidebooks cover routes in areas of mixed sport and trad climbing so we tend to go for the redpoint grade in the 6c to 7a region however we do make a slight qualification of the Rockfax ‘onsight’ grade; we use the ‘first try – easiest method’ grade. Plus the country is civilised but sparsely populated, the weather's okay, and they do steak and cheese pies. Australian – The system used in Australia and New Zealand is perhaps the most logical of all. There is lots of great climbing and bouldering right across New Zealand. The best way to approach the conversion is to travel, go climbing and get used to the different grades! Have fun! P. The event will crown our National Champions, as well as being a chance for National Speed records to Continue Reading Legacy His most lasting legacy was the development of the Ewbank System, ubiquitous throughout Australia, New Zealand and South Africa for grading climbs. Guidebook and community-sourced information has been added over the years and it is now home to over 12,800 routes across mountains and crags. By honing body positioning and gear selection, cyclists can enhance their performance and efficiency on demanding trails. French Ridge Hut can be used as a base to climb the South West Ridge and South Face, Is the preferred route. Rock climbing: this means using your hands and feet to climb up a vertical rock surface. Climb Mt Cook, Mt Aspiring, Mitre Peak. There is something for every level of climbing ability and challenge. Guided ascent of New Zealand's highest peak. It is an open-ended numerical system that starts at 1 (least difficult). Routes. Discover how high school and university grades from every country translate to US standards for accurate academic comparisons. The EBO Grading System for Rock Climbing By Henry Gilbert The Problem With Grades Imagine this: A human discovers a rock. Registrations are open for the National Speed Championships for Continue Reading Darrans alpine rock is New Zealand’s mecca of multipitch and mountain rock climbing. A3+), which was recalibrated in the 1990s as the "new wave" system from the legacy A-grade system. Climb Aoraki Mount Cook with an experienced IFMGA / NZMGA certified mountain guide. The climbing grades system is an important part of climbing. Similar to the way advanced cycling skills can transform a rider’s experience, these climbing techniques empower cyclists to conquer the rugged Hi all I'm going out to New Zealand in october for 3 weeks. British (Traditional): this complex system includes two grades: the adjectival grade (overall difficulty) and the technical grade (specific moves' difficulty). The climb up to high camp along Haast Ridge to Plateau Hut usually takes 10 - 12 hours. A Unique Day/Multi Day climb involving a kayak, relentless approach through thick scrub and extremely exposed scrambling. Huge range of grades from 10-31/ VE-V11. The country is renowned for its high-quality rock and diverse climbing environments, ranging from coastal boulders to alpine settings. To keep things simple when thinking about climbing grades, it’s convenient to think about the styles of rock climbing with one important distinction– the usage of a rope or not. Grades Descriptions Grade A (*) Overall good health required. Be sure to look them up before planning an expedition to see if the route is the right fit for your abilities and ambitions. As they study the intricacies of its formation they imagine what it might require of them to climb. 10a YDS). Knowing which climbing Moved PermanentlyThe document has moved here. Aoraki has claimed the lives of 70+ climbers since the first ascent in 1894 by New Zealanders Tom Fyfe, Jack Clarke and George Graham. A direct comparison between the New Zealand (Mt Cook system), French Alpine Grade, UIAA Grade and the Russian Grade. Sep 28, 2021 · Mountaineering and climbing grading systems are a great way to determine the relative difficulty of any route or peak. See full list on guidedolomiti. Rock Climbing pathway The Auckland Section of the New Zealand Alpine Club run limited number of rock climbing courses in the summer. On a personal note, I've often found some grade conversions to be a little bit out, with grade 25 in Australia and Maximum guide to participant ratio: 1 to 1 NZ Alpine Grade: 3+ Season: October to January Regarded as one of New Zealand’s classic ascents, the SW ridge is a challenging climbing mission for more experienced alpinists. One of the highlights is the iconic Castle Hill in the Canterbury region on Explore the New Zealand grading system for high school and university levels, including grade scales, comparisons, and FAQs for domestic and international students. The crags are well spread out, but varied, accessible, with lots of fun sport and trad climbing. 1 Te Waipounamu / The South Island is a region inside of Aotearoa / New Zealand [edit] Grade systems for free climbing For free climbing, there are many different grading systems varying according to country: [edit] Ewbank The Ewbank system, used in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, was developed in the mid 1960s by John Ewbank. Before we start… Types of Climbing Climbing is a very broad term that includes many types of activities. Whether you're a seasoned climber or a newcomer to the sport, understanding the different climbing grades and difficulties is crucial for selecting routes that match your skill level and ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience. The number represents the number of “eligible” climbers as per the Continue Reading Feb 26, 2020 · Grading systems New Zealand uses the Australian/Ewbank system which runs from 1-36 (makes sense doesn't it!). Base camp is usually set on the Tasman Glacier at 2,400 meters. Sort by grades, equipment, facing aspect and guide books. No particular fitness abilities View all Grade A Trips Grade B (**) Average of 4-5 Aotearoa's Hardest Sport ClimbsFilter Climbs: Results: Name Grade Quality Open to all grades and all climbers. New Zealand is renowned as one of the best alpine climbing locations in the world. The climb first follows an S pattern up the Linda Glacier avoiding many large Jan 21, 2025 · Climbing New Zealand (CNZ) has made important updates to its athlete selection process to align with the new categories introduced by the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC), with a key change affecting the Junior/U21 category. " Its beauty and technical climbing make it one of New Zealand's premier mountain peaks and the highlight of many climbing trips. Prepare for your next climbing adventure in New Zealand! Take a look at some of the best climbing spots in the country for climbers of all experience levels. 3 The Ewbank system is used in Australia and New Zealand to grade the difficulty of rock climbs. Eden Quarry'[11874673] boasts some of New Zealand's first hard climbs, all the while being 30 minutes walk from downtown. Summit day demands an alpine start due to ice avalanches along the route. Oct 11, 2006 · In reply to Morrison: The NZ mountain grades are not a million miles away from Scottish grades. Australian and New Zealand boulderers have adopted the V-scale system. International Grade Comparison chart. This event determines the Oceania Champion in each Youth and Senior category for the disciplines of Lead, Speed and Bouldering. There are no letters in secondary grades, just a single number that gets bigger as the routes get harder. A info and work on the fact that generally you just need to find it. Mixed climbing is climbing both rock & ice with ice tools & crampons using a variety of tactics & protection. Fitness is subjective, what you may find easy may be strenuous to someone else or vice versa. Climb Tititea / Mount Aspiring Ascent Mount Aspiring is a stunning, classic horned peak, often referred to as the "Matterhorn of the South. For the advanced climbers, our 45° training wall provides endless possibilities, along with our comprehensive EuroHolds and Beastmaker campus and hangboard set-up. At sport I climb about 7b (redpoint) and I boulder up to font 6b/6c+ any ideas what grade they are in the New Zealand grades. the opposite of free climbing), the most widely used system is the A-grade system (e. The adjectival grades range from Easy to E11, while the technical grades range from 3 to 7b. In winter or early spring it is generally better to use the French Ridge access routes to get In the challenging terrain of New Zealand, mastering advanced climbing strategies is essential for tackling steeper grades. Uprising is one of Australasia’s largest bouldering gyms. e. While it has been practiced at least since the late 1800s it was largely considered as training for mountaineering. C3+). Oct 4, 2023 · ClimbNZ. Pocketed climbing on ignimbrite rock. Top 5 International Climbing Grade Rating Systems If you’re climbing abroad, you should be familiar with other systems, including the French grading system, the UIAA grading system, and a handful of Zane has been climbing for over 26 years and is regarded within the Climbing NZ community as a local legend. Learn more about climbing in New Zealand. Aug 27, 2024 · For a brief explanation of UK traditional climbing grades follow this link. 9. What more do you want?? As you'd expect, though, with a less developed climbing scene, there's a good blend of information, mis British (Traditional): this complex system includes two grades: the adjectival grade (overall difficulty) and the technical grade (specific moves' difficulty). Ice climbing: this Feb 26, 2021 · A guide to the eccentric world of climbing grading, looking at grade comparison, what the different systems mean and why it's all just so unusual! Climbing is an exhilarating and challenging sport that attracts adventurers from all walks of life. Australian: used in Australia and New Zealand, this system ranges from 1 (easiest) to 35 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. The North Buttress of Sabre (grade 16) is one of the Southern Alps most classic alpine rock routes. The 'Mt. For New Zealand’s best climbing training experience, you can’t go past Boulder Co. Grades Descriptions Grade A General good health necessary. Read more on Mixed Climbing. Refer to the Climbing New Continue Reading The Grand Traverse All Alpine climbing 1 route in crag Grade context: AU Photos: 32 Ascents: 141 1 YDS 5. org. This is Grade systems are almost as old as climbing itself. Climbing is a popular outdoor pursuit and New Zealand offers a range of options for all levels of climber. Climbing’s profile is exploding worldwide and one of the most popular sectors of this ‘next-generation’ sport is bouldering. We will normally bivouac high on the glacier (at about 2,200 metres) before the The climbing in this region is on sharp pockets in ingnmbrite, so tape is a worthwhile investment. Some of the best exposure attainable below the snowline. Not already a member? Sign up for free and join our growing global community of rock climbers. Apr 12, 2024 · At the recent General Assembly, the IFSC made some changes to age categories and the minimum age to compete at World Cups. The space is larger than other gyms in the area, with a basic but spacious workout area. Limestone is also present in the Waikato. 9-5. Individual tour dossiers give more detailed information on the fitness requirements. NZ Competitive climbing in new Zealand this is just a few top locations across our great nation Golden Bay South IslandGolden Bay, at the top of the South Island, is one of Aotearoa’s finest summer holiday destinations. Mar 31, 2017 · Climbing grades can be confusing. Boulders. For "clean aid climbing" (i. Professionally guided mountaineering and climbing in New Zealand. My good friend Lindsay had been traveling the country in her van for almost four months when I arrived for my two weeks of adventuring Jul 27, 2020 · A look at the best bouldering, indoor gyms and outdoor rock climbing Auckland has to offer. It was an entirely new system, aimed at overcoming the problems at that time with English grades being limited to Extremely Severe, and American (YDS) grades being limited to 5. An essential upgrade to a newer version of the Drupal platform necessitated some investment in development work from NZAC, with a mind to also making the ExtremeEdge & ClimbZone is the largest climbing center in New Zealand, based right here in Auckland! ExtremeEdge & ClimbZone truly is the most unique family entertainment center ever created. Im looking at going sport climbing for a week or to Castle Hill bouldering not sure yet. To date the growth of research and reporting styles has been somewhat hap. ps any ideas where I can get a topo for froggatt edge on North island as Im based 3 hours away? Thanks for any help Chris Apr 1, 2023 · Known for steep alpine peaks and hardcore mountaineering adventures, New Zealand rock climbing culture is intimidating—especially for a couple of unremarkable climber girls looking for moderate sport climbs around Ewbank (Australian) grade 18 (5. 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. May 15, 2020 · In January, we set off on the 30-hour journey to New Zealand for some adventuring, relaxing and (hopefully) lots of climbing. Our simple grading system allows for all levels of climbers from beginner to expert. International Events IFSC International Calendar (2025) Sport Climbing Australia Calendar IFSC Oceania Council for Sport Climbing Oceania Continental Championships Teams of climbers from New Zealand, Australia, compete at the Oceania Championships. As well as technical difficulty, the grading also allows for objective danger, length and access. Fiend New Zealand climbing? Pretty damn good if you ask me. Jan 21, 2025 · We are pleased to announce the New Zealand Youth Bouldering Development Team for 2024/25. Aspiring, or the Darran Mountains. Water Ice (WI) grades are usually applied to shorter pure ice routes, and may be useful to indicate the technical difficulty of ice on alpine routes. For a brief explanation of UK traditional climbing grades follow this link. While it caters more towards beginners and intermediates below black grade, it has the potential to The grades usually are referring to climbing on snow/ice routes more than single rock pitches which may be graded seperately. Compare sports climbing grades across different systems. Still well worth the adventure, although recent parties have complained of seeing increasing rubbish and human waste. But by 1968 the first dedicated rock climbing guide had been published by the University of Canterbury tramping club, and the following decade saw a rapid improvement in These alpine rock routes are sought after New Zealand rock climbing classics with climbers coming to from all over the world to experience the climbing in Fiordland. g. They clean it to enhance the friction between the rock’s Auckland is the largest city in New Zealand and the wider region boasts two primary climbing areas. 'The Airstrip' in 'Waitomo' is great for bouldering and 'Mangaokewa' just outside of Te Kuiti is steep sport climbing. That means our categories will likely change in the coming season to accommodate and feed into the next IFSC Bouldering is a very sociable activity and our new facility is purpose-designed to support and encourage the growing climbing community we have here in Canterbury. In this comprehensive guide, we'll delve into the intricacies of It is rated grade 4- or New Zealand 3. Some routes involve exposed, scrambling approaches or multi-day tactics New Zealand's top bike climbs can be viewed on this page via the map (zoom in to view climbs in particular areas), by Climb Cards (photo and stats) or by a detailed list of the climbs that can be arranged in metric or imperial units by difficulty, distance (longest climbs in the area), altitude gained, highest elevation (highest summit), average grade (sort the grades by varying distances Mar 17, 2023 · Even the United Kingdom, which uses the UK Technical Grade system for Trad Climbing and originally used the same system for bouldering, has adopted the V grading System (though sometimes they use Font, its confusing). Amongst many other things, this article describes how theCrag is using and displaying grades, how theCrag assigns grades to routes and ascents, what protection ratings are and how they are applied on theCrag, what grade contexts are, and which grade systems are 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). To help make everything easier, I’ve broken the entire Feb 26, 2020 · Guidebooks The New Zealand 'Rock Deluxe South by the New Zealand Alpine Club is a select climbing guidebook to the best rock climbing and bouldering in the South Island. S. Contact User guide About Terms Join NZAC Code of conduct Bolting guidelines Access Trust Routes Crags Mountains Guidebooks +64 3 377 7595 Unit 6, 6 Raycroft St Waltham Christchurch New Zealand PO Box 786 Christchurch New Zealand Fostering and supporting New Zealand climbing Trips have been graded to help you choose an experience that is right for you. Perfect locations for crags and parking lots. Mixed, Water Ice and Aid grades Mixed grades (M) are used when dry tooling – climbing rock (and usually also ice) with crampons and ice tools. Only water on route is a small tarn (sometimes a puddle) on the saddle after the Home NZ South Island Aoraki Tai Poutini Main Divide Mt Sefton Nov 1, 2011 · Rock climbing is an increasingly popular adventure sport with a growing research base. Bevan Col accesses Colin Todd Hut, which can be used as a base for the North Buttress, North West Ridge, South West Ridge and the Haast Range. From New Zealand’s iconic peaks to personalized instruction, our expert guides support your journey in the diverse terrains of Aoraki Mt Cook, Mt. Grade systems initially developed in confined geographical areas, making the comparison of climbs somewhat easier, developed over time and were and are constantly extended as The YDS also includes ratings for mountaineering and other types of climbing, but these are expressed in a different format than the rock climbing grades, using Roman numerals and other symbols. Sunshine, slopers, swimming holes and hippies form the basis of an existential cosmic harmony in… The course is designed to leave you feeling self-sufficient and able to plan trips and stay safe whilst climbing grade 1 non-glaciated peaks across New Zealand. There are no letters secondary grades, just a single number which gets bigger as the routes get harder. The New Zealand Alpine Grading system is open-ended, but the current seven grades roughly align with the French Alpine System. We also give F. Assigning a difficulty to a climb seems to be at least as important as describing it with other characteristic parameters such as length, protection or rock type. New Zealand Mountain Bike Trail Design & Construction Guidelines Mountain Biking has quickly become a mainstream sport, with a broad range of bike trails being developed all around New Zealand. Kayak or inflatable from Deepwater Basin across the sound to Sinbad River mouth and follow the obvious ridgeline up to the Footstool. The gym provides a wide variety of climbs, including slabs and bouldering routes ranging from V0-5. It covers all the main rock-climbing areas covered in this destination article other than the multi-pitch climbing in the Darran Mountains and Remarkables above Queenstown which are considered 'alpine'. Kayaking across to the base in the early mornings makes Mitre Peak a unique climbing experience found nowhere else in New Zealand. Sometimes the conditions and the state of the routes can also influence the grades. The pathway the club recommends to become an independent outdoor lead climber is to: Climb indoors first. ) The numerical Ewbank system is open-ended, starting from 1, which Logged Experience - Climbing The NZMGA needs to see a solid base of personal mountaineering skills, knowledge and experience from guide candidates. An Alpine grade 5 here would include steep ice and / or technical rock climbing. And so the process begins. As you are aware, previously athletes had to be at least 16 (Youth A) to be able to compete. Aid climbing grades take time to stabilize as successive repeats of aid climbing routes can materially reduce the grade. Safer and simpler than traditional rock climbing, bouldering is the climbing of small rock formations (or artificial rock walls) without ropes or harnesses. Our secret (or maybe not so secret anymore) tip for While the general information about climbing grades and grade conversion is described in the article Grades and Grade Conversions. Fitness is subjective, what you may think is easy may be hard to somebody else or vice versa. Faultline Climbing Gym in New Zealand offers a great experience for beginner and intermediate climbers. Pōhara Mostly Sport climbing 145 routes in crag Grade context: AU Photos: 17 Ascents: 3,795 Aka: Tarakohe 145 AU 10 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 Sep 21, 2019 · National event for all grades. 2 The Ewbank system is used in Australia and New Zealand to grade the difficulty of rock climbs. Rock climbing areas map. Is it even possible? Perhaps. They find its shape appealing. It’s a scale where the lower numbers represent easier climbs, and they gradually increase to the most difficult climbs currently established. New Zealand Hiking Grades and Fitness Hiking walks, tours and safaris have been categorized to assist you in selecting a hiking trip that is correct for you. These can all be bigger problems here than you'd get in Scotland. (Ewbank also developed an open ended “M” system for aid climbing. In aid climbing (i. New Zealand mountaineering & climbing courses. Note - There are only 21 spots and we already have 24 people who have expressed their interest for Basic Snowcraft 2025 from the Basic Snowcraft Info Night. Bouldering in New Zealand Bouldering in New Zealand offers a rich and varied experience for climbers of all levels, set amidst some of the world's most breathtaking natural landscapes. Jul 16, 2025 · The complete climbers guide to bouldering grades is here! Everything you need to know from history to training tips to send your project! Sep 2, 2019 · Open to all grades, Youth D, Youth C, Youth B, Youth A, Juniors, Opens and Masters. Aid climbing is rare in the New Zealand mountains. As the official New Zealand Team Assistant Coach at the 2018 World Youth Championships in Moscow and coach of the Extreme Edge Project Team, Zane has vast coaching experience that no doubt will help transform your climbing ability. May not include an ascent to the summit of a mountain. This is a qualifying event for New Zealand Development Squad and New Zealand Team selection. Read: What Is Non Technical Climbing? Some of the rating systems in this article are used for a specific form of climbing. There are three main places you can climb indoors in Auckland using ropes: Experience the thrill of climbing with Aspiring Guides. No specific fitness requirements Grade B Average of 4-5 hours physical activity Te Ika-a-Māui / The North Island Rock climbing 6,476 routes in region Grade context: AU Photos: 751 Ascents: 57,637 6k AU 1 4 7 10 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 Mount Aspiring is usually reached from Pearl Flat. Check out this guide to the area from Wanaka Rock Climbing. The one stop shop! The grades usually are referring to climbing on snow/ice routes more than single rock pitches which may be graded seperately. com Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Compared to Chamonix our glaciers are much more dangerous I found and our weather more changeable. It has now been announced that athletes will have to be at least 17. Learn about the weather, temperature, and rainfall in NZL. A Grade 12 is a novice climb, Grade 13 to 16 are beginner climbs. To apply for a place on the Climb Guide Pathway, Applicants must present for consideration to the NZMGA Training Officer (TO) a mountaineering Logbook covering a minimum of three seasons of active mountaineering in both winter and summer. The climbing season traditionally runs from November to February, and hardly a season goes by without at least one fatality. Yosemite Decimal System, French, UIAA, British UK, British Trad Grade, and Australian. Access to the ridge is via the Bonar Glacier. The remoteness and generally poor rock quality in New Zealand mean conditions are highly variable. Oct 23, 2023 · Climbing grades range from easy to hard and vary based on geographic location, climbing discipline, and whether you are indoors or outdoors. jyjzip fitzeyhc pkjn fvkm knwp mmqm kxbsl ivgjrk kegjw gxojypo