In reply to AJM:
> Would you not find yourself wondering whether you'd really climbed the grade, if you had no other reference point than the guidebook (pretty inevitable, when breaking into a new grade, I'd have thought)? I feel like I probably would.
Interesting question, and one that is relevant to me. My first outdoor 6c is 6b+ in the Rockfax guide, 6c in the local guide. I got it second go and though it was a shade harder than most of the 6b+ I climbed on that trip, but then it clearly wasn't as hard as other 6c routes in the same area. So I dunno.
I guess go with the ratings by other users on here - my routes biggest votes go on Low 6c so I'm taking it. Besides, Rockfax are not the arbiter of grades here, and after some of the assertions Alan's made on here, I take their guides grades with a massive, massive pinch of salt!