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Goals for the spring climbing season 14-Sep-2011 At 1:36:26 PM uwhp510

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On 14/09/2011 citationx wrote:
>On 14/09/2011 uwhp510 wrote:
>
>>Equilibrium - 17 - 4 pitches - slab
>>Outer limit - 18 - 6? pitches - steep slab
>>Closer in - 19 (well bolted - 3 pitches) (bail left before the headwall
>>to dry route) - steep slab
>
>Are you trying to say that slabs harder than 17 are classified "steep"?
>What of a slab that is graded 23, 24, 25, 26 like those at buffalo? Are
>they like, overhanging slabs?

Ummm... No

This is so simple I can't believe I'm actually about to explain it.

The adjective "steep" obviously depends on the context in which its used (rock type, features etc). Its a relative term, not a "classification", which influences but doesn't on its own determine how hard a route is.

Outer Limit goes up a slab that is fairly high angled... or STEEP (for Booroomba anyway... <--- look, context), while Equilibrium goes up a different bit of rock which isn't as STEEP, and also incidentally has smaller, smoother holds. Outer Limit and Closer In are still definitely slabs, but relative to other slabs at Booroomba, they're quite STEEP. Nearby there is a grade 23 slab, which isn't as STEEP as Closer In, or Outer Limit.

Hopefully this post has helped you to understand the difference between the grade and the angle of a route.

You're welcome ;)