By Wyatt H From Green River, Wy Feb 6, 2013
| Stolen of the internet. Pretty much the standard grading system. 1 Walking up with crampons. No tools required. 2 A pitch of 60º-70º ice, reasonably consistent, with few short steep steps. Only one tool is needed. Good protection and belays. 3 Sustained 70º-80º ice, usually thick and solid. May contain short, steep sections, but will have good resting places and offer good protection and belays. 4 Sustained 75º-85º ice, separated by good belays, or a less steep pitch with significative vertical sections. Generally good quality ice, offering satisfactory protection. 5 A noticeably more strenuous pitch of good but steep (85º-90º) ice. 6 A very steep, strenuous pitch with few stances for rest. The ice may not be of top quality and protection may be poor. A high level of skill and strength is required. 7 An overhanging, strenuous pitch with few resting places and often poor or no protection. Too short to even be rated. May qualify as WI2. |  FLAG |