Talking Rockies

Rating a Hike’s Difficulty

Topic: Difficulty Ratings — admin, 2010/01/21 - 5:43 pm

Since hiking is just walking around, how is it that it can be dangerous or difficult? Besides falling, freezing, getting hit by lightning, getting lost, getting attacked by bears or cougars, or bitten by snakes, succumbing to heat exhaustion or dehydration, what’s the big deal?

After all, most hikers come back refreshed and with new stories to share back at the office. Unfortunately, sometimes the unfortunate few come back with tales of misery — or worse, come back in a state of final repose. Old hikers say that to err is human, but mountains don’t forgive.

Everyone comes to a hike with different conditioning, experience and expectations. One woman’s day hike is another man’s weekend trek. In spite of these differences, most hiking guides come with a set of difficulty ratings. In HikeUtah, we used the following scale:

  • Too Easy — the trek is just a walk from the car to the main attraction. Almost anyone can do it.
  • Easy — a few miles, a few hours or less than a few thousand feet altitude gain are all that’s required. There’s a well-marked, gentle trail the whole way. This is a good hike for novices and hikers of all ages; young or old can do this hike.
  • Moderate — the walk is 6 miles (9.6 k) or more, or the climb is 3,000 feet (914 m) or more. The trail may trace along some exposed slopes. There may be some route-finding.
  • Difficult — distance is over 10 miles (16 k) or the climb is more than 4,000 feet (1,219 m). There might be exposed slopes, route-finding or scrambles up steep and loose slopes or rough fields of talus. Only try difficult hikes if you’re fit. These hikes are not good for the very young or old.
  • Extreme — a full day, or more, of steady exertion from high altitude gain, long distance or both. There may be exposed slopes or scrambles up talus or scree. Trails may be rough or faint, or don’t exist. A 20-mile (32 k) trek in a day is extreme, as is any elevation gain greater than 4,500 feet (1,372 m). Technical climbing may be required. Only the seasoned and skilled should try these hikes.
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