New RR4W Moab trail ratings for EJS

[Kiel]

There is also the way in which people evaluate a hardcore trail. A hardcore trail in the early 90's or 80's was a 4 or 5 on the old scale. The new scale it would be a 6-7. We are more hardcore now

 

[WayneXJ]

There is also the way in which people evaluate a hardcore trail. A hardcore trail in the early 90's or 80's was a 4 or 5 on the old scale. The new scale it would be a 6-7. We are more hardcore now

You aren't truly hardcore until you know the hand shake.

 

[timpanogos]

I've done a bit of rock climbing ... similar thing happened, they started with a rating system where levels
1 = walk down the street
2 = hike in the hills (don't remember exactly)
3 = scramble (need to use hands from time to time)
4 = scramble with fear of death (use of hands, don't screw up)
5 = technical (need rope/gear)

The level fives where then subdivided from 5.1 to 5.9. For some reason, the only technical climbing levels that required any amount of skill started at 5.5, so there were only 4 usable levels to describe a decent climb (5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8 and 5.9) As climbers and gear improved they quickly moved past the first accent ratings and you got this nasty 5.9+ rating, where the 9+ left an infinite possible hardness over the original 5.9 rating. Little Cottonwood canyon was infamous for these 5.9+ ratings. Think Moab scale of 5+. The system later changed to the Yosemite Decimal System which added these ratings above the original 5.9; 5.10, 5.10a, 5.10b, 5.10c, 5.10d, 5.11a-d, 5.12a-d, 5.13a-d, 5.14a-d and 5.15a

The level of difficulty increases once into the 5.10a and above ranges is NOT linear. Think earth quake scales.

I hope these guys did the same thing, but not sure they left enough head room for future growth of tech/equipment if Pritchett is an 8. This statement assumes Pritchett is like the old 5.9 and something super gnarly in BFE is the 5.9+ (i.e. they only left two units to define difficulty than something close to the top of the current scale). If these last two units can somehow be quantified on a non-linear bases it might be ok? Otherwise, 10 years from now, you’ll see 10+

 

[kkemp]

I think you have to give up the idea of comparing the old numbers to the new ones as a linear scale. You really need to go by the definitions, period. From my limited experience, it seems the new trail ratings match the definitions pretty well.

One real limitation of this system though is that it doesn't take into account the optional obsticles. It can make a big difference in a trails real rating if you take all the bypasses. Hell's Revenge comes to mind. The Trail Damage website for instance, rates trails with a minimum and maximum. I think this would be more useful.

 

[waynehartwig]

They should make Suicidal Tendencies in BFE (that you need rescue equipment there BEFORE you try, or you get arrested) a 10, and everything else below it. To me, that is the most difficult trail that I know of right now. Which would then be something like...
Suicidal Tendencies - 10
Black Flag - 9
Upper Heldorado 8
Pritchet - 7
and etc...

Isn't the Rubicon rated a 10 on this same 1-10 scale? I ran the Rubicon in my STOCK (less than a week old, still had dealer plates) Rubicon. Granted, I did bypass most of the difficult stuff (obviously)... But that would make it a 3 or 4+, in my opinion.. The + for the ability to make it a LOT more difficult if you want to. The + isn't meant as a half point.

 

[ChestonScout]

I think the 1-10 system is better than the 1-5. Its not perfect but I think by reading the descriptions you will get a really good idea of what the trail is and if your vehicle is capable enough for the trail. If you read in the newspaper this is a trial period for the 1-10. If you like it or not, let one of the club members know at EJS

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Many questions would be answered if you read the accompanying info that was presented with the new "proposed" trail ratings Your all basically summerizing exactly what they cited as their reasoning.

I say more power too them, its their trail rating... your welcome to make your own

 

[timpanogos]

I say more power too them, its their trail rating... your welcome to make your own

Ok, I liked this one from climbing - so for my rating system :

everything is a 5.7 (existing moab 3), until you fall.

edit, btw, can anyone post the suggested system

 

[Seth]

My trail ratings are as follows:

Nod Off
Bumpy
Rocky
Sketchy
Seat Mohawk
Diamond Pincher
and
F*uck You, I ain't doing that.

 

[Kiel]

My trail ratings are as follows:

Nod Off
Bumpy
Rocky
Sketchy
Seat Mohawk
Diamond Pincher
and
F*uck You, I ain't doing that.

Diamond pincher eh?

 

[scoutabout]

My trail ratings are as follows:

Nod Off
Bumpy
Rocky
Sketchy
Seat Mohawk
Diamond Pincher
and
F*uck You, I ain't doing that.

I like that system.

 

[kkemp]

That last one is pretty subjective. A lot of stuff fits that one for me.

 

[DevinB]

I thought Prichett was a 4 or maybe 4+? ...

My buddy and I had a bet going on this exact subject last year. He thought that RR4W had Pritchett rated at a 4+ in the EJS mailer, I thought it was a 5. We bet $10. He lost. RR4W had it rated as a five last year. How that compares to Charles Wells' book, I dunno, but I figured the mailer would be more current.

 

[kkemp]

My buddy and I had a bet going on this exact subject last year. He thought that RR4W had Pritchett rated at a 4+ in the EJS mailer, I thought it was a 5. We bet $10. He lost. RR4W had it rated as a five last year. How that compares to Charles Wells' book, I dunno, but I figured the mailer would be more current.

Charles Wells' book doesn't use the Moab scale, he has an almost worthless 3 level scale, easy, moderate and difficult. Fins n Things and Prictchett are both rated difficult. How much does that tell you? You really have to read his discriptions to get any idea of the difficultly of the trails.

 

[waynehartwig]

I got mine from 4x4now. I thought I saw it there at that, so I just looked and sho'nuff!
http://4x4now.com/mu4wd.htm

I think their info is dated though. But I don't think Pritchett is a 5 on a 1-5 scale....

 

[drtsqrl]

I think their info is dated though. But I don't think Pritchett is a 5 on a 1-5 scale....

One thing you have to remember, is that the old rating system was for EJS trails only. Pritchett is the the hardest trails used for official runs, hence the 5 rating. The proposed new rating system leaves room at the top for more difficult trails.

 

[DevinB]

Charles Wells' book doesn't use the Moab scale, he has an almost worthless 3 level scale, easy, moderate and difficult. Fins n Things and Prictchett are both rated difficult. How much does that tell you? You really have to read his discriptions to get any idea of the difficultly of the trails.

I thought he also used the 5 rating scale, guess not.

 

[timpanogos]

I thought he also used the 5 rating scale, guess not.

He does list all the trails in the book in order of severity - easiest to hardest