3 Reasons Why Chasing Grades is a Waste of Time
1. Grades are so subjective that a 5.12c to one person can be 5.11d to another or 5.6 to one person can be 5.9 to another. Different styles of climbing can affect how you perceive that grades as well. Like if you’re bad at slopers, routes with slopers will feel harder to you than to someone who is good at slopers. Grades are just a number. Just like your GPA is high school or college. All that really matters is that you’re challenging yourself.
2. Grades outside are inconsistent. I recently climbed a 5.10d at Bruise Brothers that felt easier than a 5.10a I did at 10 Wall. Also, grades in gyms will never reflect grades outdoors. Your gym redpoint is most likely several grades higher than your outdoor redpoint. My hardest outdoor send is 5.10d and my hardest indoor send is 5.12c. Many factors contribute to this phenomenon, but I’ve found that it is true for most people.Â
3. No one really cares that much about that 5.10c you just sent, or your 5.13a project. What they do care about though is whether the route was fun or you were challenging yourself.Â
