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 Because
the CMC offers so many trips, we use several criteria in our trip descriptions
to classify our various types of trips, focusing on round-trip mileage and
total elevation gain. No classification system is perfect, and trip
difficulties can vary greatly depending on the season and other factors. If
after reading the trip description you have any questions about a trip's
difficulty, contact the trip leader.
Hike Classifications Hikes (including some trips
that require rock-climbing skills) are normally classified as A through D:
- Class A: Up to 8 miles round trip and 1200 ft. elevation gain.
(Prior hiking experience is usually not necessary.)
- Class B: Up to 12 miles round trip and 2500 ft. elevation gain.
(Moderate to strenuous physical activity. Some prior experience is beneficial.)
- Class C: Up to 15 miles round trip and 3500 ft. elevation gain.
(Strenuous to very strenuous physical activity. Prior experience and training
is beneficial.)
- Class D: Over 15 miles round trip or 3500 ft. elevation gain.
(Very strenuous physical activity often including exposure or requiring use of
technical skills. Knowledge based on prior experience and training is highly
beneficial.)
If you also see the letter "E" after the classification (such as C-E
or D-E), the trip involves exposure (i.e., risk of falling) and may require
advanced climbing skills.
Within each of the above letter
classifications, hikes are also described subjectively as Easy, Moderate, and
Difficult in comparison to other trips of the same classification. Thus, a
Difficult B hike is harder than an Easy B hike.
Additional Terms Used in Hike DescriptionsThe following shorthand
descriptions may also be used to describe the difficulty of the terrain on a
hike:
- On Trail: The trip is mainly on improved trail in reasonable
condition. Any portion of the trip not on trail is easy "like trail"
conditions.
- Off Trail: Below timberline (about 11,600 feet in Colorado),
the trip may involve bushwhacking or travel through forested terrain. Above
timberline, the trip may cross open tundra or involve Class 2 hiking under the
Yosemite Decimal System: i.e., moving on or around small boulders where the use
of hands may be used, but only to maintain balance. No special hiking or
climbing skills are required. Exposure is usually minimal or nonexistent.
- Scrambling: The trip involves Class 3 climbing: i.e., climbing
that is relatively easy with plentiful handholds. Although a rope is rarely
required, Class 3 climbing may be intimidating for less experienced
mountaineers. Always consider bringing and wearing a climbing helmet to ensure
your own safety. A fall on a Class 3 route usually results in a minor injury,
but can on occasion result in serious injury or death.
- Semi-technical: The trip involves Class 4 climbing: i.e.,
within the realm of technical rock climbing, but with relatively plentiful
handholds. Some people will desire a rope, but usually just for protection on
the descent. Participants must wear climbing helmets. A fall without the
protection of a rope on a Class 4 route usually results in serious injury or
death.
Technical Climb Classifications Denver Group trip
leaders usually classify the difficulty of technical climbing trips according
to the standard Yosemite Decimal System (e.g., a "5.9 Climb"). The Boulder
Group has a more extensive classification system for Boulder Group rock climbs.
Backpacking trips
typically use the following classifications:
- Easy: Up to 5 miles and 1500 ft. elevation gain per day. The
trip is on trail.
- Moderate: Up to 8 miles and 2500 ft. elevation gain per day.
Part of the trip may be off trail.
- Difficult: Over 8 miles or 2500 ft. elevation gain per day. The
trip is physically demanding and may involve off trail travel over steep slopes
or rock.
Ski Tour Classifications Ski tours use a
classification system to describe the skiing skills and stamina required for
participation in a trip. If you are unsure whether your skiing abilities
(especially turning and stopping skills) are suitable for a trip, please
contact the trip leader.
- Easy I: 1 to 3 miles round trip on generally flat terrain.
Suitable for beginners.
- Easy II: 3 to 6 miles round trip and up to 600 ft. elevation
gain.
- Easy III: 6 to 8 miles round trip or 600 ft. to 800 ft.
elevation gain.
- Moderate I: 800 ft. to 1100 ft. elevation gain.
- Moderate II: 1100 ft. to 1500 ft. elevation gain.
- Moderate III: 1500 ft. to 1800 ft. elevation gain.
- Advanced I: 1800 ft. to 2500 ft. elevation gain, 15-20 miles.
- Advanced II: Over 2500 ft. elevation gain.
Advanced ski tours are generally over 10 miles on difficult terrain
and at a fast pace. To go on an Advanced ski trip, you must be able to break
trail for three miles and must have excellent nordic downhill ability. In
addition to the
CMC essentials, you should
carry a shovel, avalanche beacon, and any extra items required by the leader.
Additional Terms Used in Denver Group Ski Tour DescriptionsWith
the popularity of backcountry downhill skiing on the increase, the Denver Group
has added a set of downhill ski ratings to the classification system. These
ratings are optional and can be used for any level of ski tour. In addition, a
"ski mountaineering" classification has been established for very specialized
ski trips where some technical climbing skills or training would be required.
These ratings are:
- Green Downhill: Skier should be able to ski proficiently on
beginner (green) slopes at downhill ski areas. Skier can make a solid stem turn
and traverse via kick turns off-trail on untracked slopes. Must be able to
distinguish easy terrain from more difficult terrain that a novice can't
handle.
- Blue Downhill: Skier should be able to ski moderate terrain
(slopes of up to 25 degrees with trees and other obstacles) at a reasonable
speed without frequent falls. Should have some experience with poor snow
conditions such as wind crust, deep "cement," and variable snow
conditions.
- Black Downhill: Skier should be able to make linked turns in
difficult terrain (slopes steeper than 25 degrees, treed slopes, gullies,
couloirs). Considerable experience with poor snow conditions. Should have
completed the CMC Avalanche School or equivalent.
- Ski Mountaineering: The skier should have considerable
experience in routefinding and trailbreaking. Experience with winter camping.
Should have completed the Basic Mountaineering School and the AT/Ski
Mountaineering School or have equivalent technical climbing, mountaineering,
and skiing experience. Should have completed the CMC Avalanche School or
equivalent.
Snowshoe Trip Classifications Snowshoe trips use the
following classifications:
- Easy: Up to 5 miles round trip and 600 ft. elevation gain.
- Moderate: Up to 8 miles round trip and 1200 ft. elevation gain.
- Difficult: Over 8 miles round trip or 1200 ft. elevation gain.
Special Denver Group Trip Classifications In
addition to the standard trip descriptors, the Denver Group may employ
additional trip classifications and descriptive terms. For example, many Denver
Group trip descriptions indicate whether the trip will be led at a Casual,
Moderate, or Fast Pace. If you are concerned that you just aren't fast enough
for a trip, try a Casual Pace trip. Alternatively, if you're always passing
people on the trail, perhaps Fast Pace trips might be best for you. Remember
that for all CMC trips, the leader will try to keep the group together and
travel at the pace of the slowest participant.
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DENVER