Wi ice climbing grades. The following descriptions approximate the average systems.

Wi ice climbing grades. Dec 2, 2010 · WI 1 – Not really a practical grade, think walking on low angled ice in a stream bed or something of that nature. WI 3 – Generally between 70 and 80 degrees, perhaps with a few small vertical steps. The WI-grade is for "hard ice"; steep snow slopes, which are encountered frequently on alpine climbing routes, are not explicitly graded but instead, their steepest angle (approximate figure or a range) is quoted (e. Though not yet set in stone, M grades (“M” given to define a mixed route) are often compared or defined by the difficulty of a similar rock route using the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). Apr 21, 2019 · “WI”, which stand for “water ice”, means that the climb will ascend seasonal ice that is frozen water, while “AI”, which stands for “alpine ice”, means this will be a climb that ascends mountains in the alpine zone and may traverse ice that never melts. What are ice climbing grades? Ice climbing grades, or ratings, are used to assess the difficulty level of a route. M8), with other notable mixed grading systems including the Scottish Winter system (e. AI6). International rock climbing classification systems are shown in the chart at the right, and below is a comparison of Alpine, Ice, Snow, Aid, an. Understanding the different grading systems and the factors that affect grades will help you make informed decisions and tackle routes that match your skill level and ambitions. Feb 2, 2021 · Winter Climbing Grades Adrian Nelhams sheds some light on the Scottish winter, mixed and water ice grading systems. WI 2: Consistent 60 degree ice with possible bulges; good protection. Most experienced ice climbers can climb in the WI-5 range, while WI-6 and WI-7 are reserved for a few cutting-edge routes around the world. The WI acronym implies seasonal ice; AI is often substituted for year-around Alpine Ice and may be easier than a WI grade with the same number. g. This Ultimate Guide to Climbing Grades provides information on: Water Ice and Alpine Ice Grades: Ice climbing ratings are highly variable by region and are still evolving. In the following guide I explain more about the ice climbing grading system, before going into an in-depth explanation about each of the grades. e. The WI Scale is used to grade ice climbs based on the overall difficulty of the ice itself. Jun 23, 2024 · There are three main grading systems used in ice climbing: the WI (Water Ice) Scale, the AI (Alpine Ice) Scale, and the M (Mixed) Scale. ice and dry-tool climbing) uses the M-grade system (e. WI 3: Sustained 70 degree with possible long bulges of 80-90 degrees; reasonable rests and good stances for placing screws. In ice climbing, the most widely used grading system is the WI ("water ice") system (e. The following descriptions approximate the average systems. Grade VII). 60–70 degree slope). [21][22] WI-grade is for "seasonal" hard ice; an AI prefix is used instead for "alpine ice", which is Mixed climbing is a rather new grading system used to define the difficulty of climbing rock, and possibly some ice, using ice tools and crampons. Jul 25, 2025 · Understanding climbing grades is essential for safe and successful rock, ice and alpine climbing. Climbing grades defined - Mixed Grades, Ice Grades, Aid ratings, Protection Ratings, Commitment ratings. WI 2 – Ice up to 60 degrees in steepness. Jul 25, 2025 · What determines the Grade of an Ice Climb? WI 1: Low angle ice; no tools required. Oct 5, 2022 · Our quick guide to ice climbing ratings covers what they are, why they vary so widely and which system is most commonly used to help you assess your next frozen pursuit. The grading ranges from WI1 (the easiest) to WI7+ (the most difficult). Good terrain for beginners to learn on. WI6) and the identical AI ("alpine ice") system (e. The related sport of mixed climbing (i. Every thing you need to know on climbing grades. suv ggii zysvwo donbryu jpo noue bzw wflckkj cnesjr pksmsq