Canyoneering Rating System
Canyon Rating System

          Canyons on this web site are rated using the Canyoneering Rating System (CRS). The rating is divided into four parts. The Technical Class indicates the technicality of the terrain and the type of rope work required. The Water Rating indicates the complications due to flowing or still water. The Risk Rating indicates the presence of additional risk factors. The Grade indicates the estimated time required to complete the adventure.

TECHNICAL CLASSIFICATION

1 - Canyon Hiking: Non-technical, no rope required. Hiking mostly on established routes. Involves some scrambling with the occasional use of hands.

2 - Basic Canyoneering: Scrambling, easy vertical or near vertical climbing and/or down-climbing. Rope recommended for hand lines, belays, lowering packs and possible emergency use. Exit and/or retreat possible without ascending fixed ropes. Scrambling requires the use of hands and arms for pulling yourself up.

3 - Intermediate Canyoneering: Technical canyoneering and climbing. Route may involve any combination of the following: Problem-solving. A basic knowledge of technical climbing. Rope and climbing hardware for single-pitch rappels and belays. Basic pothole escape techniques. Obvious natural anchors. Retreat up canyon will require ascending fixed ropes.

4 - Advanced Canyoneering: In addition to intermediate canyoneering skills, you will require one or more of the following skills: Advanced free climbing. Difficult and/or exposed down-climbing. Climbing using direct aid. Multi-pitch rappels. Complex rope work (i.e. guided rappels, deviations, rebelays). Obscure or indistinct natural anchors. Advanced problem-solving and anchor-building. Advanced pothole escape techniques.

WATER Volume / Current

A - Normally dry or very little water. Dry falls.

B - Normally has water with no current or light current. Still pools. Falls dry or running at a trickle.

C - Normally has water with strong current. Waterfalls.

RISK / SERIOUSNESS

No Rating: Normal risk factors are present on this adventure.

R - Risky: One or more extraordinary risk factors exist that could complicate the descent. Solid technical skills and sound judgment are critical.

X - Extreme: Multiple risk factors exist that will complicate the descent. Errors in technique or judgment will likely result in serious injury or death. Descent should only be attempted by expert canyoneers.

GRADE

I - Short. A couple of hours.

II - Requires about a half day.

III - Requires most of a day.

IV - Expected to take a long day. Get up early, bring a headlamp. Possible bivy.

V - More than one day. Normally done in two days.

VI - Two full days or more.

Yosemite Decimal System
Climbing Rating System

          Climbs on this web site are rated using the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). The rating is divided into three parts. The Technical Class indicates the technicality of the climb. The YDS rates a pitch according to the most difficult move on it. A route may be divided into several pitches of varying degrees of difficulty. The Risk Rating indicates the presence of additional risk factors. The Grade indicates the estimated time required to complete the adventure.

TECHNICAL CLASSIFICATION

Class 1 - Walking and hiking, generally, hands are not needed.

Class 2 - Hiking, mostly on established trails involving some scrambling with occasional use of hands.

Class 3 - Climbing or scrambling with moderate exposure. Angle steep enough that hands are needed for balance.

Class 4 - Intermediate climbing with exposure extreme enough that most mountaineers will want a belay. A fall could be serious or fatal. Intermediate climbing requires the use of your hands and arms for pulling yourself up.

Class 5 - Technical rock climbing is encompassed in Class 5 climbing.  A rope, specialized equipment and training are used by the leader to protect against a fall.

5.0-5.4: A person of reasonable fitness can climb at this level with little or no rock climbing skills.

5.4-5.7: Requires rock climbing skills or strength.

5.7-5.9: Good rock climbing skills and strength are generally needed to climb at this level.

5.10-5.14: Excellent rock climbing skills are required to climb at this level.

Class 6 - Rock so shear and smooth that it is unclimbable, without the use of aid.

RISK / SERIOUSNESS

No Rating - Normal risk factors are present on this climb.

PG-13 - Protection is adequate; if properly placed a fall would not be too serious.

R - Protection is considered inadequate; there is a potential for a long fall, and a falling leader would take a hard wipper, possibly suffering injuries.

X - Inadequate or no protection; a fall would be very serious and perhaps fatal.

GRADE

I - Short. A couple of hours.

II - Requires about a half day.

III - Requires most of a day.

IV - Expected to take a long day. Get up early, bring a headlamp. Possible bivy.

V - More than one day. Normally done in two days.

VI - Two full days or more.