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+