JSSM-2008, Vol.7, Issue 4, 492

Table 1. A comparison of international climbing grades. UIAA is the Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme. In the UK traditional (where gear is placed during the ascent) routes receive two grades, a number grade for the hardest technical move on the route and an adjectival grade describing the overall feel of the climb including the amount of gear that can be placed on route.

UIAA	USA	UK	Sport Grade
I	5.1	Moderate	1
II	5.2	Moderate	2
III	5.3	Difficult	2+
IV	5.4	Very Difficult	3-
IV+	5.5	Hard Very Difficult	3
V-	5.6	Severe	3+
V	5.7	3c/4a	4
V+	5.8	4b VS	4+
VI-	5.9	4c	5
VI	5.10a	5a HVS	5+
VI+	5.10b	5b E1	6a
VII-	5.10c	5c E2	6a+
VII	5.10d	5c	6b
VII+	5.11a	5c	6b+
VII+	5.11b	6a E3	6c
VIII-	5.11c	6a	6c+
VIII	5.11d	6b E5	7a
VIII+	5.12a	6b	7a+
IX-	5.12b	6b E6	7b
IX-	5.12c	6c	7b+
IX	5.12d	6c	7c
IX+	5.13a	6c E7	7c+
X-	5.13b	7a	8a
X-	5.13c	7a E8	8a+
X	5.13d	7a	8b
X+	5.14a	7a	8b+
XI-	5.14b	7b E9	8c
XI	5.14c	7b	8c+
XI+	5.15a	7b	9a+