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Our grading system gives an overall view of the trip and takes into
account a combination of the distance walked, toughness of the
terrain, altitude, weather, remoteness and finally the level of support
and comfort.
The grades should be read in conjunction with each individual walk
description and with an understanding that some of the grades are
based on factors that are changeable and as a result the grades can
only provide a general indication. If you have any questions about
the nature of a particular walk or its suitability for you, please contact
the office. |
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T1- MODERATE
Suitable for most hill walkers and generally involving shorter days at
a moderate altitude and tend to provide more time for cultural visits
and related activities. The walks will mostly be on good paths, but, for
your enjoyment a reasonable level of fitness is required as the walks
could involve extended amounts of ascent and descent. |
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Variable
grades are given where there are options for different levels
of climbers
Grading routes is a complex combination of factors including:
- The
technical difficulties of the crucial sections of the route
- Length
of the route
- Height
of the peak
- Objective
dangers
The
overall grade is defined within a scale of 1 to 6 for technical
difficulty together with a letter grade A-D indicating the level
of fitness required alongside other variable factors. All technical
difficulties described for each grade may not be relevant, for
example if the route is predominately on snow then rock climbing
skills may not be needed. Please feel free to contact
Adventure Peaks if you are in doubt as to whether your experience
or fitness would match your choice of expedition.
Fitness:
A. Good basic fitness.
B. Good cardio-vascular fitness that would normally
require some training, by running, cycling or gym work.
C. Training would tend to become essential to attain a
good level of fitness. Previous experience of multi-day walking
is recommended.
D. A high level of all round fitness will be required
to cope with the exceptionally strenuous nature of these expeditions.
A resistance to extreme weather conditions over extended periods of time.
Heavy loads over multiple days may need to be carried.
Expedition
Fitness
In all cases your chance of success and level of enjoyment will depend
very much on your level of fitness. The grading system set out above
gives you an indication of the level required for each expedition. |
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Technical
Difficulty (could include):
1. Easy
scrambling, broad scree or low angled snow ridges at angles up
to 30 degrees. Ropes are not usually required. Previous climbing
experience is not essential.
2.Snow and ice sections at a low angle of up to 35 degrees. Winter
walking experience useful but not essential.
3. Snow and ice sections at an angle of 35-45 degrees. Previous
experience of using ice axe and crampons is essential.
(Alpine PD/AD Scottish Grade 1/2 Rock D)
4. Snow and ice sections at angles over 45 degrees with steep steps.
Rock sections up to VD. Confident mountaineering skills including
some rock and ice climbing experience. Previous Alpine climbing or
high altitude experience is normally required unless technically very
confident beyond the grades below.
(Alpine AD Scottish Grade 2/3 Rock VD-S)
5. Sections of very steep snow and ice at angles over 50 degrees.
Rock sections up to Severe. Suitable only for experienced mountaineers
who can be self-sufficient, previous alpine experience is essential.
(Alpine D Scottish Grade 3 Rock S-VS)
6.Very steep snow and ice with sustained steep ice pitches, Rock sections
up to HVS. Previous experience of high altitude Moutaineering is essential.
(Alpine TD Scottish Grade 3-4 Rock VS - HVS).
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Many of our expeditions take place in the developing world where
the limitation of facilities and infrastructures can make travel
unpredictable and the cultural differences can lead to inconsistency
in standards. You must be ready for the unexpected. For those who
want to travel and enjoy their expedition, it is very important to set
your expectations on the right level for a less economically developed
country. It is important to leave behind Western expectations
and approach travel with an open mind, patience and flexibility.
The expedition leaders of Adventure Peaks will be working hard
to overcome problems which may occur and try to ensure that its
standard of services are maintained. You should however be aware
that some events are beyond our control and we would ask for your
patience. |
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Mountaineering or Trekking can be dangerous and carries an inherent
risk of injury or death, which cannot be eliminated. You must accept
that, although we do our utmost to reduce risk, there always remains
a chance of accidents happening. Our leaders will continually make
decisions about prevailing snow conditions, the weather and the
ability of individuals and the group with safety in mind. They will
make professional judgements to minimise the risk of objective
dangers, such as avalanche, ice-fall or stone-fall and weather but
these risks cannot always be predicted nor removed whilst in the
mountains. All mountaineering and Trekking at high altitude involves
risks of altitude illness. Whilst our expeditions and Treks have an
appropriate acclimatisation period this cannot entirely remove the
dangers of altitude as individuals acclimatise at different rates and
the symptoms can be unpredictable. Severe cases necessitate descent
and, in extreme cases death can occur. |
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