CLASSIFICATIONS
There are no single international rating system used in classifying mountains. In fact each country and each type of climbing may it be ice climbing, rock climbing and aid climbing has its own rating system. Some examples of systems used includes the United State’s Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), the National Climbing Classification system (NCCS), the British System, the Austrian System, the French System including the French Adjectival System (IFAS), the Soviet, West German and the European System.
Here in the Philippines there are three generally accepted systems used; two were locally formulated. The US Yosemite Decimal System (YDS), used generally for rock climbing is also used here in the Philippines. The other two are the Minor-Major Classification and the Height Level classification.
Minor- Major Climb Classification System (MMCCS)
This is the most widely used classification system here in the Philippines though it’s origins are not certain. This system describes the climb on the basis of the difficulty level of the mountain. The weakness of this system is that it has no clearly defined criteria on how to assess the difficulty level of a mountain but rather involves relative judgement. This system is also very limited in giving you an idea on the actual difficulty in scaling the mountain having only two levels of comparison. It is also not specific in pointing out the physical fitness, skills and equipment requirements necessary for the climb.
Minor climb – a climb that can be done within less than a day. Usually the mountain’s elevation is within 1,500 meters above sea level or less.
Major climb – A climb that involves at least an overnight stay or which requires trekking for more than a day. It generally involves climbs higher than 1,500 meters above sea level. Cross-country hikes may be classified as major climbs depending on the extent and difficulty of the itinerary.
Height Level Classification System (HLCS)
This classification system was introduced by one of the pioneering groups in mountaineering in the Philippines. This system is not widely used compared to the Minor-Major Classification System. One obvious disadvantage of this system is that the height of the mountain is not necessarily synonymous with the difficulty of scaling the mountain. In fact, Mts. Apo, Pulog and Kitanglad, the three highest mountains in the archipelago, are easier to scale compared to Mt. Halcon and the Matulid River System. And just like the Minor-Major classification System, it is also not specific in pointing out the physical fitness, skills and equipment requirements necessary for the climb.
Level 1 – Mountains with a height of lower than 1000 meters and below
(i.e Maculot and Romelo or Famy)
Level 2 – Mountains with a height of 1000 meters and above but lower than 2000 meters
(i.e. Arayat and Makiling)
Level 3 – Mountains with a height of 2000 meters above
(i.e. Banhaw, Apo, Halcon and Pulag)
Yosemite Decimal System (YDS)
This system categorizes terrain according to the techniques and equipment required in traversing a terrain. This system evolved way back in 1937 from the Welzenbach Rating System and was only established in the 50’s. Typically this system is used on rock climbing routes. If you will use this system on regular hiking destinations, Philippine Mountains will usually get a rating of only 1 to 3.
Class 1 - A hiking scramble to a rocky gradient; generally hands are not needed.
Class 2 - Involves some scrambling and likely use of hands; all but the most inexperienced and clumsy will not want a rope.
Class 3 - Moderate exposure may be present; simple climbing or scrambling with frequent use of hands. A rope should be available.
Class 4 - Intermediate climbing is involved and most climbers want a rope because of exposure. A fall could be serious or fatal. It begins when all beginners and most average climbers will want and should have a belay. Usually natural protection is easily found.
Class 5 - Climbing involves use of rope and natural or artificial protection by the leader to protect against a serious fall.
5.0 – 5.4 - a physically fit climber can actually climb at this level with a little or no rock climbing skills, using only natural ability.
5.4 – 5.7 - Requires use of rock climbing techniques such as hand jamming and or strength.
5.7 – 5.9 - Rock climbing shoes, good skills, and some strength are usually necessary at this level.
5.10 above - Beyond rock shoes, excellent skills and strength, this level requires training for climbing techniques and commitment of time to maintain that level. (each category are further classified or sub-divided into 4 (a-d i.e 5.14a, 5.14d).
Classification Used in this Website
Three basic classifications were used in this website, the Minor-Major Climb Classification System, the Height Level Classification System and a third one I have created for this website which classifies activities as either Easy, Moderate or Strenuous or Difficult.
Easy – anybody who can walk can accomplish this feat.
Moderate – a bit difficult for the unfit but easy to moderate for seasoned climbers.
Strenuous or Difficult – Maybe impossible for the unfit and extremely exhausting even for the fit.
