Grading Routes.
This 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 30 degrees. Climbing experience useful but not essential.
3.
Snow and ice sections at an angle 35-45 degrees. Previous snow and ice
climbing experience is essential. (Alpine F- PD 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 leading 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-TD Scottish Grade 3 Rock S-VS)
6.
Very steep snow and ice with sustained steep ice pitches, Rock sections
up to HVS, possibly requiring the use of aiding techniques. (Alpine TD
Scottish Grade 4 or harder Rock HVS).
Supplied By Adventure Peaks.
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