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NOMADIC ADVENTURES - OUR TREK GRADING SYSTEM
Our grading system is based
on a combination of both technical difficult (numerical) and fitness levels
(alphabetical). he higher the grade combination, the more strenuous the trek
and the more previous experience of walking or climbing is required as
outlined below. We have also added the letters FP, or SP to our treks as
follows
Fp – fully portered
Sp – semi portered
e.g. Kilimanjaro is rated 2C
(FP)
For a full comparative list
of all treks, click here
 Mountains round the world
| |
Technical Difficulty |
|
Fitness Levels |
| 1 |
A combination of long days
with steep paths and some mountain scrambling. The route follows
reasonable paths through thick vegetation, up hillsides, slippery
shale surfaces. Snow and or ice may be encountered along the route.
There is no need for technical climbing equipment. Altitude levels
up to and around to 4200m. Medium risk of altitude sickness. |
A |
Minimal fitness
level required. No need for porters. Use of a daypack only. |
| 2 |
A
combination of very long days with steep paths, boulders and
mountain scrambling. Glaciers and snow may be encountered at high
altitude. There is no need for technical climbing experience. Medium
risk of altitude sickness. Altitudes up to 6000m. |
B |
General level of
fitness is required e.g. hill walking for about 5km. Daypacks will
weight about 4kg. Trek weight loss in the region of 2kg. |
| 3 |
Very long days with steep
paths, boulders , rock and ice. Glaciers and snow will be
encountered at high altitude. Increased presence of rocky glacial
moraines and ice ridges. Climb entails some technical sections where
ropes, crampons and ice picks may be needed. No prior Technical
experience is helpful but not required. Snow gullies and ridges of
around 45 degrees. Altitudes up to 6000m. High risk of altitude
sickness. |
C |
Good cardio vascular
fitness is needed with weight and circuit training and running. Lots
of hill walking. Backpacks will weight about 4-5kg and contain
water, camera and essentials. Trek weight loss in the region of 4kg. |
| 4 |
Difficult and continuous
trekking and climbing over steep sections at high altitude. Crampons
and ice picks may be required as well as the use of ropes. Long,
steep snow and ice slopes with short steps of very steep ice of
around 60 degrees. Low grade rock climbing. Prior technical
experience is advisable and all round climbing ability at high
altitudes up to 7000m. Expertise similar to Scottish III/Alpine AD.
High risk of altitude sickness. |
D |
A very high level of
cardiovascular fitness and stamina are required. Backpack weights
will be in the region of 20-25kg. Several months of training are
required and lots of hill walking and stairs with a backpack. Trek
weight loss in the region of 5-6 kg. |
| 5 |
Extremely strenuous and extended technical
climbing requiring
considerable prior technical climbing expertise. Ice climbing
equivalent to Scottish grade IV. High risk of altitude sickness. |
E |
Strenuous physical effort
at extreme altitudes are required along with a high level of
fitness, endurance and mental stamina. Several months of endurance
training are required. Trek weight loss in the region of 5-9 kg. |
COMPARATIVE LIST OF ALL TREKS
Our treks are
listed below. in order of the list within the category.
| |
Technical Difficulty and Fitness Levels |
Porters |
| 1A |
Gorilla Tracking Uganda
and Rwanda |
Carry your own backpack
with camera, water, fleece and rain coat. Trekking 1 - 5 hours |
| 1C |
Mt Meru
Alpamayo Trek
Inca Trail
Santa Cruz Trek
Mollepta Trek
Mt Elgon |
Carry your own backpack
with camera, water, fleece and rain coat. Trekking 1 - 5 hours
Porters carry your gear
and all camping equipment |
| 2C |
Mt Kenya
Annapurna Trek
Everest Base Camp Trek
Mt Kilimanjaro
Everest Gokyo Lakes Trek
Mt Kailash excl. Simikot
Trek Kharta Valley Trek
Tibet |
Carry your own backpack
with camera, water, fleece and rain coat. Trekking 1 - 5 hours
Porters carry your gear
and all camping equipment
|
| 2C/D |
Dhaulagiri Trek |
Fully portered trek. You
carry your own pack with camera, water etc. Days are long and
strenuous through high snow mountain passes. |
| 3C |
Mt Kailash via Simikot
Trek (no technical gear)
Everest Advanced Base
Camp Trek (no technical gear)
Mt Marguerita (requires
technical gear)
Island Peak Imja Tse
(requires technical gear)
Mera Peak (requires
technical gear) |
Fully portered trek. You
carry your own pack with camera, water and required technical gear
where required e.g. carabiners, harnesses, helmets etc |
| 3E |
Aconcagua |
Carry your own gear -
pack weight of about 25kg.
Kitchen equipment and
tents is carried by porters. |
| 4C |
Alpamayo Ascent
Huascaran Ascent |
Fully portered trek. You
carry your own pack with camera, water and required technical gear
where required e.g. carabiners, harnesses, helmets etc |
| 4E |
Ice Col Trekking |
Fully portered trek. You
carry your own pack with camera, water and required technical gear
e.g. carabiners, harnesses, helmets etc |
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