French climbing grades

French climbing grades, part of the French grading system, evaluate the difficulty of rock climbs and are expressed with an "est. number" (e.g., 6a, 7b). Lower numbers (3-4) indicate easier routes, suitable for beginners, while higher numbers (7-8) are more challenging for experienced climbers. The system is divided into grades from 1 to 9, with subdivisions a, b, and c adding nuance; for example, 6a is easier than 6c. The grades reflect technical difficulty, strength, endurance, and skill required, providing climbers with a standardized way to assess route difficulty across various climbing areas.