John Ewbank


Quick Info

From: Australia 🇦🇺
Date of death: 2nd December 2013
Gender: Male

Inventor of the Ewbank grading system which is used in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

…the grading systems being used in other countries all had an inbuilt and totally unrealistic glass ceiling, which tradition made it impossible to change. Furthermore, they were all using subdivisions, which created false psychological barriers. And, finally, they were not working well in their country of origin, so why the hell should they work half a world away? …

What we needed was something simple, and more importantly, something that was consistent and our own. So I started a new grading system, beginning at 1 and proceeding one number at a time, with no subdivisions and no pre-ordained limit.

References

[1] http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2292864&tn=0

Contributors
19 contributions since 11th April 2025.
4 contributions since 12th January 2026.

Quick Info

From: Australia 🇦🇺
Date of death: 2nd December 2013
Gender: Male

Inventor of the Ewbank grading system which is used in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

…the grading systems being used in other countries all had an inbuilt and totally unrealistic glass ceiling, which tradition made it impossible to change. Furthermore, they were all using subdivisions, which created false psychological barriers. And, finally, they were not working well in their country of origin, so why the hell should they work half a world away? …

What we needed was something simple, and more importantly, something that was consistent and our own. So I started a new grading system, beginning at 1 and proceeding one number at a time, with no subdivisions and no pre-ordained limit.

References

[1] http://www.supertopo.com/climbing/thread.php?topic_id=2292864&tn=0

Contributors
19 contributions since 11th April 2025.
4 contributions since 12th January 2026.

Library


Pics + Vids

No pics or vids yet.


Ascents

1 recorded ascents.

Sort
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade
The Janicepts E3 Lead 1966
First ascent. With some points of aid.
Climb Grade Style Ascent Date Suggested Grade