WI 7+
Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:24 pm
Hey guys,
So i came across this article of a fairly new route put up that was given a suggested rating of WI 7+.
See article here ---> http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/new_austrian_ice_route_given_wi7/
As i have only climbed the occasional WI5 (with relatively fat ice) i cant really fathom what a 7+ would even feel like. To my understanding a WI 5 is very steep and sustained with generally good ice where as a 6 would be steep and sustained (with fewer rests?) but with poorer quality ice thus making the route more commiting and harder to protect.
As these higher grades are suggested do you believe them to be more of an indicator of what to expect on a climb rather than its actual degree of technical climbing difficulty? (ice conditions / quality of protection / avalanche and falling rock danger ??) I am just curious as to hear people's thoughts on these ratings and what they actually mean. The ice can only be so steep... what about these routes justifys their proposed ratings?
I apologize if this topic has been covered but was unable to find any quality discussions with the search function.
`Matt
So i came across this article of a fairly new route put up that was given a suggested rating of WI 7+.
See article here ---> http://www.climbing.com/news/hotflashes/new_austrian_ice_route_given_wi7/
As i have only climbed the occasional WI5 (with relatively fat ice) i cant really fathom what a 7+ would even feel like. To my understanding a WI 5 is very steep and sustained with generally good ice where as a 6 would be steep and sustained (with fewer rests?) but with poorer quality ice thus making the route more commiting and harder to protect.
As these higher grades are suggested do you believe them to be more of an indicator of what to expect on a climb rather than its actual degree of technical climbing difficulty? (ice conditions / quality of protection / avalanche and falling rock danger ??) I am just curious as to hear people's thoughts on these ratings and what they actually mean. The ice can only be so steep... what about these routes justifys their proposed ratings?
I apologize if this topic has been covered but was unable to find any quality discussions with the search function.
`Matt