A question was asked by our good friend Jeff while climbing at a local climbing gym.  "What does the five mean (for instance a belayed climb rated at 5.8)?"

According to REI.com and multiple Reddit post's, the five kind of stems from hiking grades.  1 through 5 go something like this:

Route Classifications:

1. = Hiking on flat ground

2. = Hiking on steep terrain, maybe using hands (a.k.a. scrambling)

3. = Hiking on steep hillside, use of hands, might bring a rope. Short fall could be possible.

4. = A little steeper.  People might use a rope as a fall could be greater.

5. = Climbing involving technical moves, falls could be fatal, use of rope, belaying, and protection are used.

Then, there are sub classes broken down like 5.1 - 6.0

Here are some general examples of these sub classes:

5.1-5.4 - Easy - A steep section that has large handholds and footholds. Suitable for beginners.

5.5-5.8 - Intermediate - Small footholds and handholds. Low-angle to vertical terrain. Beginner to intermediate rock climbing skills required.

5.9-5.10 - Hard - Technical and/or vertical, and may have overhangs. These hard climbs require specific climbing skills that most weekend climbers can attain.

5.11-5.12 - Hard to Difficult - Technical and vertical, and may have overhangs with small holds. Dedicated climbers may reach this level with lots of practice.

5.13-5.15 - Very Difficult - Strenuous climbing that’s technical and vertical, and may have overhangs with small holds. These routes are for expert climbers who train regularly and have lots of natural ability.

6.0 - This one is new to me... - Can’t be free climbed - Devoid of hand- and footholds, the route can only be aid-climbed. An added rating of A1 through A5 further designates difficulty level.