The colour coding on the holds of an indoor climbing wall indicates the degree of difficulty of the route. Unfortunately, there is no generally accepted colour coding system for the holds on indoor climbing walls, so it can be very confusing if you don’t know what to look for.
How the Colour System Works
Different Walls use different colours to signify the different levels of difficulty on the wall. Typically each colour signifies a range of grades rather than an individual grade. The range of grades that a colour signifies can vary from wall to wall. For example on one wall the yellow holds may signify a beginner grade whereas on another wall they may signify an intermediate grade.
What the Grade Ranges Typically Look Like
There are typically 3 – 6 colour-coded routes on a climbing wall. The lowest graded route, which is typically a large move with big features, is a great place to start. Routes of middle grade will have smaller features and will require the climber to use their technique to ascend. The highest graded routes on a climbing wall will typically involve an overhang, require precise foot placement, and need a lot of finger strength to hold the small features. For more information on how the grades work, please see the British Mountaineering Council’s guide to indoor climbing grades.
Spotting the Route Markers
Route markers are generally yellow tape attached to the wall at the bottom of the starting holds. There are some walls that use whole holds of the colour of the route, but generally there are small cards or tags at the bottom. It’s easy to get this wrong – ask a member of staff if you’re unsure.
Using Colours to Progress
Using Colours to Get Better at Climbing. Work through the routes in each colour band in turn. Complete all of the routes in each band rather than the easiest ones to learn the appropriate technique to progress. If you are looking for Climbing Wall Reading, see https://www.270climbing.com/climbing/reading/.
Bouldering Grades Differ
Bouldering holds are shorter than routes with ropes and are colour coded separately. The bouldering holds will not have the same grade as a route of the same colour on a wall with ropes.
Check the grade chart at the beginning of your visit and within no time the colours will become a useful aid to choosing a suitable route for you to climb.
