Grade Comparison

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Understanding the South African Rock grading system.

The grading system used in South Africa is an open order numerical system, which starts at approximately grade 6, and at the time of writing, tops out at about grade 35. The system is based on the Australian system (Ewbank system), and was first introduced to South Africa at a crag called Monteseel. The system was invented by John Ewbank, an English born Australian. In the system each number represents difficulty, exposure, length, quality of rock and protection when climbed on-sight.  The system grades on the feel of the hardest move, but also the other factors as listed above. A climb therefore, must carry the grade of the hardest move, but might be graded higher than the hardest move if for example it was very sustained and badly protected. But it cannot be graded less than the hardest move.

Grades 8 to 11 are extremely easy beginner grades and 12 – 14 are easy climbs. Those from 15 to 18 are the average grade that climbers are leading while from 19 -25 would be above average grades for on-sighting.