Jim Bridwell’s Casual Rating System

Are you a bit confused when you read a guidebook climb description of “5.10c R M8 WI5+ Grade IV?” Yeah, me too.

For a refreshing simplification, have a look at Yosemite pioneer Jim Bridwell’s Casual Rating System, which describes any climb in just four categories.

• NBD = No Big Deal

• NTB = Not Too Bad

• PDH = Pretty Darn Hard

• DFU = Don’t F**k Up

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Billy Westbay, Jim Bridwell, and John Long, after the first one day ascent of The Nose on El Capitan, 1975.

Photo credit, Mike White