Rockfax Digital to Switch to Binary Grading System

1st April

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Rockfax is pleased to announce a new grading system launching on its Rockfax Digital guidebook app platform as of today. Grades will henceforth be listed in binary to fit with the brand's forward-thinking, digital approach to climbing data, replacing the current decimal positional numeral system with a much more intuitive format.

An example of how the British Trad Grade system converts into binary. © Rockfax — An example of how the British Trad Grade system converts into binary.
© Rockfax

The change affects all grading systems, with the exception of the US Dewey Decimal System, because it is already too complicated and stupid.

For example, French sport grade 5 will now equal 101, while 6a = 110a, 7b+ = 111b+ and 9c = 1001c, and so on.

The most complex shift will occur in the British Trad system, which will now be represented as follows: E1 = E1, E2 = E10, E3 = E11, E4 = E100 [...] and E12 = E1100.

As a full example of a British Trad Grade, E2 5b will become E10 101b. Logically, anything below E1 will now be a negative binary grade.

Rockfax founder Alan James commented: 'We are also expecting a speed boost in the Rockfax Digital app, since the grades will be in native computer binary, avoiding time-consuming conversion processes.'

Weekend warrior Jess Brown approved of the change: 'I can't believe I've actually climbed E10! Watch out, Dave MacLeod.'

A professional climber, who wished to remain anonymous, told UKC: 'The sponsors will love this system, the more E-points the better!'

Scottish winter enthusiast John McTavish said: 'Thank f*ck I don't have to remember my Roman numerals anymore.'

James McHaffie commented: 'Binary grades? Yeah, there are only two grades in climbing: piss and impossible.'