The highest grade ever climbed is 9c (5.15d), achieved on the route known as Silence.
Sport climbing grades are a global standard to assess the difficulty of a climb. The higher the number and letter, the more challenging the route. The 9c (5.15d) rating represents the pinnacle of human achievement in sport climbing to date.
The Route: Silence
Silence is a groundbreaking sport climbing route located in Flatanger, Norway. It was first ascended by Czech climber Adam Ondra, who also bolted the route. This single-pitch climb shattered previous grading benchmarks, pushing the limits of what was thought possible in climbing.
Here are some key details about Silence:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Location | Flatanger, Norway |
| Vertical Gain | 45 metres (148 ft) |
| Pitches | 1 |
| Rating | 9c (5.15d) (proposed) |
| Bolted By | Adam Ondra |
Understanding Climbing Grades
Climbing grades can appear complex due to various systems used worldwide. The French numerical grading system (e.g., 9c) is widely used for sport climbing, especially for the hardest routes. The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) (e.g., 5.15d) is common in the United States.
- French Grades: These start from 1 and go upwards, often with "a", "b", "c" suffixes and a "+" to denote subtle differences in difficulty (e.g., 7a, 7a+, 7b).
- Yosemite Decimal System (YDS): This system categorizes climbs from Class 1 (walking) to Class 5 (technical climbing). Sport climbs fall into Class 5, with increasing difficulty denoted by decimals (e.g., 5.0 to 5.15). The "a", "b", "c", "d" suffixes are added for the highest difficulties (e.g., 5.15a, 5.15b, 5.15c, 5.15d).
The grade of 9c (5.15d) for Silence signifies a route with extreme physical demands, intricate movements, and sustained difficulty, representing a monumental leap forward in the sport.
