Trek & Climb
Each of our trek and climb trips is graded; Strenous, Demanding, Moderate or Easy, taking into account factors such as the terrain, altitude and length of time walking. For each grade there is a simple colour coded symbol which indicates the level of difficulty. Trekking trips with an element of climbing have an additional grade specifically to describe the climbing. In the trip description you will see the terms; Demanding, Moderate and Easy.
Trekking Grades
All of our holidays which include a significant element of walking are considered to be treks. These range from exended trips into wilderness areas, with a full trek crew and porter or pack-animal support, to short hotel-based holidays involving a series of day-hikes. The following grades should be considered in conjunction with each individual holiday description.
Easy
Suitable for most people in good health, these trips include only a short element of trekking which is predominantly on good paths and at low altitude.
Moderate
Suitable for most hillwalkers and generally involving shorter days at moderate altitude, on good paths and tracks. However, a reasonable level of fitness is required as these treks can involve considerable amounts of ascent and descent and the occasional difficult day.
Demanding
Physically very challenging, but suitable for regular hillwalkers who are used to extended days. These treks can involve difficult and sometimes glaciated terrain, as well as lengthy periods at high altitude.
Strenuous
Our toughest treks, involving many long days, often in isolated areas and at extreme altitude. These treks might also include difficult pass crossings, requiring basic mountaineering skills and equipment. A high level of fitness and previous trekking experience is essential.
Climbing Grades
Some of our holidays include an element of climbing, usually on snow, where ropes and other items of mountaineering equipment will normally be used. These trips have each been given a trekking grade to reflect their overall difficulty and it is this grade that is shown on their grade symbol. Additionally, each of these trips has a climbing grade which is intended to indicate the technical difficulty of the ascent(s) involved and takes into account factors such as overall steepness, exposure and objective dangers.
Easy
Our easiest climbs, which are generally on easy angled snow-slopes, with no objective dangers. A mountaineering ice-axe and crampons may be used, depending on the prevailing conditions. Ropes may be fixed on short, steeper sections of ascent.
Moderate
Mostly snow slope climbing, possibly with crevassed areas. A mountaineering ice-axe and crampons will be used. Ropes may be fixed on steeper sections of the climb and group members may need to climb roped together at times.
Demanding
Applied to the toughest climbs in our brochure - involving long climbing days, possibly at extreme altitudes, with steep snow slopes, exposed ridges and crevassed sections. Full mountaineering equipment and previous winter climbing experience required.
