We are unable to use a definitive grading system that answers everybody's questions regarding how technical and physically demanding our trips are. However we do our utmost to give you a graded overview of what each trip entails technically and physically. Do not hesitate to contact us by phone or email if you have any specific queries.
All of our expeditions require different levels of experience but many can be done by fit and adventurous people with little if no alpine experience. The most essential prerequisite is that you are fit, healthy and that you have the right mental attitude. You will find that on some of our mountaineering expeditions previous alpine or Scottish winter climbing experience will be of great benefit. As a bench mark guide you can assume that any climb over 5000m needs a high standard of fitness and any climb over 6,000m is particularly demanding.
We use a two tiered grading system to give you the overall level of technical difficulty and fitness required for our trekking and mountaineering trips. A number will indicate the technical difficulty of the trip and a letter will indicate the level of fitness required.
Our numerical grade indicates the hardest technical difficulty that will be encountered on your chosen route. The higher the grade the more extensive your previous experience needs to be.
Our alphabetical grade is an indication of the overall level of fitness you need to bring onto the trip.
1. Hiking or scrambling on established hiking routes that may incorporate easy rock scrambles and snow. No previous experience of climbing is required and we don't expect to use ropes, crampons or ice axes.
A. A moderate fitness base is required. You should be able to hike to the summit of Snowdon with no undue difficulty carrying a day sack of up to 10kg. You may hike at this level for up to a week.
2. Hiking or scrambling on established hiking routes that may incorporate up to moderate rock scrambles and snow. No previous experience of climbing is required but may require the use of crampons, ice axes and ropes. Previous experience of self arrest techniques is desirable but not essential.
3. Hiking, scrambling or climbing on routes that may entail glacier travel and/or short sections of steep ice requiring roped travel and up to moderate level scrambling. You will be using crampons, an ice axe and be roped up for most if not all of your climb. Previous roped climbing experience/glacier extraction/self arrest techniques is desirable but not essential.
B. A sound fitness base is required with regular aerobic training as you will be engaged in multi day trips and/or hiking at altitude. You should be able to hike for a week in the UK with no undue difficulty. In this grade you will normally have portered assistance. The latter will carry your rucksack (max of 12kg) and you will carry a daysack (max 10kg) for up to 6-12 days. You may also be hiking or climbing up to around 4,000m and the routes will entail days of up to 8 hours requiring some degree of determination.
C. A good fitness base is required with daily aerobic training as you will be engaged in multi week trips and/or hiking at the higher altitudes. You should be able to hike for a week in the UK with no difficulty. In this grade you will normally have portered assistance as in B and be involved in hikes for periods of up to 20 days. You may also be hiking or climbing at altitudes ranging from 4,000-6,000 meters. At this grade you may also be on treks or climbing peaks which entail long days of up to 14 hours requiring a considerable degree of determination.
As a rough guide for those who have climbed on some of our peaks or elsewhere in the world the following peaks would be graded by us as follows.
Welsh 3000's over two days 1A
Everest Base Camp 1C
Kilimanjaro 1C
Mt Toubkal (summer) 1A/B
Mt Toubkal (winter) 2B
Denali 4D
Matterhorn (Hornli ridge) 5C