French Grade
French Grade is a widely recognized system for rating the difficulty of rock climbing routes, particularly popular in Europe and international climbing areas. When someone mentions French Grade in their resume, they're referring to their ability to climb or guide at certain difficulty levels using this rating system. The system starts from 1 (very easy) and goes up to 9c (extremely difficult), with subdivisions like 6a, 6a+, 6b, etc. It's similar to other rating systems like the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) used in America, but French Grades are particularly important for sport climbing and indoor climbing positions.
Examples in Resumes
Led climbing groups on routes up to French Grade 7a
Instructed beginners on French Grade 4-5 routes
Established new climbing routes rated French Grade 6b to 6c
Typical job title: "Climbing Guides"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Climbing Guides
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you assess and manage risk when guiding clients on routes at their maximum French Grade level?
Expected Answer: A senior guide should discuss client assessment methods, safety protocols, route selection criteria, and having backup plans for different scenarios. They should emphasize client communication and monitoring throughout the climb.
Q: How do you develop progression plans for clients moving through French Grade difficulties?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to creating personalized training plans, assessing client readiness for harder grades, and maintaining safety while pushing boundaries appropriately.
Mid Level Questions
Q: How do you explain French Grades to new climbers?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate ability to break down the grading system in simple terms, compare it to everyday activities, and explain how it helps in selecting appropriate routes for clients.
Q: What factors do you consider when selecting routes of specific French Grades for different clients?
Expected Answer: Should discuss client experience, physical ability, weather conditions, route style, and safety considerations in route selection.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What's the difference between French Grades 4, 5, and 6?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic difficulty progression, typical features of routes at each grade, and what skills are needed for each level.
Q: What French Grade routes do you typically start beginners on?
Expected Answer: Should explain appropriate starting grades for different client types and basic safety considerations for beginner routes.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Capable of climbing French Grade 6a
- Basic route assessment
- Fundamental safety procedures
- Teaching beginners on grades 3-5
Mid (2-5 years)
- Comfortable leading French Grade 6c
- Advanced route selection
- Group management skills
- Emergency response protocols
Senior (5+ years)
- Expert level climbing ability (7a+)
- Complex risk assessment
- Training program development
- Mentoring other guides
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain French Grade system clearly
- Inconsistent climbing grade claims
- Lack of safety certification mentions
- No formal guide training or certification
- Unclear about personal climbing limits
Related Terms
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