Grade (bouldering): Difference between revisions

In the sport of [[bouldering]], problems are assigned technical '''grades''' according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped [[climbing]]. Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the [[Hueco]] "V" grades (known as the '''V-scale'''), [[Fontainebleau]] technical grades, route colours, [[Peak District]] grades, and British technical grades. Historically, the three-level "B" system and even the [[Yosemite Decimal System]] (sometimes with a "B" prepended, as in "B5.12") were also used.

The "B" grade system introduced by [[John Gill (climber)|John Gill]] had only three categories. "B1" was originally defined as "... the highest level of difficulty in traditional roped climbing" [http://www128.pair.com/r3d4k7/HomePage2.html], "B2" was something harder than that, or "bouldering level", and the grade "B3" designated a problem that had not been repeated. When a B3 saw a second ascent, it would be reclassified as a B2 (or a B1) as appropriate.

The scale was designed to gradually slide upward. As advances in traditional climbing raised standards, it was thought that many B2's would become B1, and the base level for B1 would rise. The acceptance of [[sport climbing]] made this vision hard to apply, and the scale started to take on a more fixed meaning, with designations such as "B1+" and "B2-" [http://www.8a.nu/eng/articles/gill.shtml].