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Calgary Outdoor Club - Difficulty Ratings
It is challenging to quantify the difficulty rating for various events, but in keeping with our mandate
of being a variety club, and not a hard-core single-activity club, our rating system/guidelines are
described in detail below. Notes:
- In the winter or other challenging conditions, difficulty levels may be increased by 1-2 levels according
to coordinator discretion/understanding of the conditions.
- All difficult and advanced trips will only be open to those who meet the event coordinator's criteria:
if this is your first event with that coordinator, you may be contacted before being allowed to participate.
Hike
Hikes are rated according to the amount of distance travelled, the amount of elevation gained, seasonal
conditions, and if applicable, special considerations for the route, pace, etc.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Less than 8km distance and negligible elevation gain |
For example, Fullerton Loop |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Approx 8-16km with gentle elevation gain (for example, 100m-150m gain to 1km distance) |
For example, Stanley Glacier |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Greater distance (over 16km) and more challenging elevation gain (200m gain to 1km distance). |
For example, Aylmer Lookout |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Greater distance (over 25km), challenging elevation gain (over 1000m), and/or seasonal conditions or special considerations. |
For example, Mt. Burke in shoulder season |
Scramble
Scrambles are rated according to technical difficulty, degree of exposure, and length of the route.
For all scrambles, there will be significant elevation gain (usually at least 1000m, but more commonly around 1500m, and occasionally upwards of 2000m).
Routes that are not in optimal condition (dry and free of snow) will be rated more difficult than the same
route under ideal conditions. Specs below are from Alan Kane's "Scrambles in the Canadian Rockies".
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Difficult hiking on scree, loose rock and/or slabs with minimal exposure and a lot of elevation gain |
A scramble that is rated "Easy" in Kane's book. For example, Ha Ling Peak, or the south peak of Mount Indefatigable |
| 6 |
Difficult to Advanced |
Frequent use of handholds required, possible exposure but not usually
enough to be a fatal. Some routefinding involved |
A scramble that is rated "Moderate" in Kane's book. For example Eiffel Peak or Mt. Temple |
| 7 |
Advanced |
Much use of handholds required, sections may be steep, loose and exposed,
or rock could be smooth and downsloping. Fall distance may be significant enough to be fatal.
Routefinding skills are generally necessary to determine the most practical and feasible way for specific
sections. Anyone with vertigo or a fear of heights should avoid these scrambles |
A scramble that is rated "Difficult" in Kane's book. For example Mount Whtye or Mt. Stephen |
Snow Shoe
Snow Shoe trips are rated similarly to hikes, but because of the additional challenge of
snow conditions and equipment, are rated one level higher than hikes
according to the amount of distance travelled, the amount of elevation gained, seasonal
conditions, and if applicable, special considerations for the route, pace, etc.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Less than 5km distance and negligible elevation gain |
For example, Hogarth Lakes |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Approx 5-10km with gentle elevation gain (for example, 100m-150m gain to 1km distance) |
For example, Rawson Lake |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Greater distance (over 10km) and more challenging elevation gain (for example,
200m gain to 1km distance) |
For example, Kananaskis Lookout |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Greater distance, challenging elevation gain and seasonal conditions or special considerations. |
For example, bushwhacking up the back side of Blueberry Hill |
Urban Hike
Urban hikes (walks) are rated easier than mountain hikes because of the extra considerations
introduced by any activity in the mountains.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 1 |
Easy |
Less than 8km distance and negligible elevation gain |
For example, Inglewood Sanctuary |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Approx 8-16km with gentle elevation gain (for example, 100m-150m gain to 1km distance) |
For example, Douglas Fir Trail |
Backpack
Backpack trips are rated according to distance covered per day as well as elevation gain.
Backpack trips which involve packing in and out with lighter-pack day hikes on the in-between days are
rated according to the hike rating system, but one notch higher. Trips which involve packing every
single day will be bumped yet another notch to account for the additional weight required to to carry
each day.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Pack in and Out Only: Less than 8km distance and negligible elevation gain per day |
For example, Elbow Lake |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Pack in and Out Only: Approx 8-16km with gentle elevation gain (for example, 100m-150m
gain to 1km distance) per day
Pack every day: Less than 8km distance and negligible elevation gain per day
|
For example, Lake Minnewanka |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Pack in and Out Only: Greater distance (over 16km), more challenging elevation gain (for example,
200m gain to 1km distance) per day
Pack every day: Approx 8-16km with gentle elevation gain (for example, 100m-150m
gain to 1km distance) per day
|
For example, Brazeau Loop |
| 6 |
Difficult to Advanced |
Pack every day: Greater distance (over 16km), more challenging elevation gain (for example,
200m gain to 1km distance) per day, challenging terrain
|
For example, Northover Ridge |
Canoe
Canoe trips are rated according to distance, hazards and technical difficulty.
Our ratings for canoe trips are Difficulty Descriptions are based on the
International Scale of River Difficulty
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Short/easy trips on stationary or slow-moving water |
For example a few hours in calm or light winds on the Glenmore Reservoir |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Rivers with at most Class I rapids: Fast moving water with riffles and small waves. Few obstructions, all obvious
and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy |
For example, the Bow River in Calgary under NORMAL conditions |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Rivers with at most Class II rapids: Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting.
Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom
injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed |
For example the Kananaskis River between Canoe Meadows and
Seebe under NORMAL conditions |
River Raft
River rafting trips are rated according to distance, hazards and technical difficulty.
Generally, a river rafting trip is rated one level easier than the canoeing rating. Trips rated higher than Moderate
must be organized by a certified river rafting company.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Rivers with at most Class I rapids: Fast moving water with riffles and small waves.
Few obstructions, all obvious and easily missed with little training. Risk to swimmers is slight; self-rescue is easy |
For example, the Bow River in Calgary under NORMAL conditions |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Rivers with at most Class II rapids: Straightforward rapids with wide,
clear channels which are evident without scouting. Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and
medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance,
while helpful, is seldom needed |
For example the Kananaskis River between Canoe Meadows and Seebe under NORMAL conditions |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Rivers with at most Class III rapids: Rapids with moderate, irregular waves
which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and
good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present
but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume
rivers. scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually
easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims |
For example the Middle Canyon of the Kicking Horse River |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Rivers with at most Class IV rapids: Intense, powerful but predictable rapids
requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature
large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure.
A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or rest. Rapids may require
“must” moves above dangerous hazards. Scouting may be necessary the first time down. Risk of injury
to swimmers is moderate to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance
for rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills |
For example the Lower Canyon of the Kicking Horse River |
Road Bike
Road biking is rated according to distance, pace, hills and hazards (ie. traffic)
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
An urban bike ride on city trails. Less than 30k. |
For example, bike around the Glenmore Reservoir |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Urban or highway ride. 30k-50k |
For example, road ride on Highway 66 |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Highway ride, often in the mountains. 50k-100k |
For example, Bow Valley Parkway between Banff and Lake Louise |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Highway ride, often in the mountains. 100+ km |
For example, Icefields Parkway |
Mountain Bike
Mountain biking is rated according to pace, terrain and technical difficulty
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Slow pace, easy terrain. Easy hills, hard packed trail, beginners are often welcome. |
For example, Riverview Trail |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Moderate pace. Some steep hills, tree roots, muddy sections, loose surface, narrow trail. |
For example, Goat Creek |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Moderate/fast pace, technically challenging. Steep hills, mud, roots, rocks/scree, loose surface, narrow trail. |
For example, Prairie View/Jewel Pass |
| 6 |
Difficult to Advanced |
Moderate/fast pace, very technically challenging. Steep hills, mud, roots, rocks/scree, loose surface, narrow trail. |
For example, Powderface Creek/Prairie Creek |
Inline Skate
Inline Skating is rated according to trail conditions, hills, traffic exposure, intended
distance covered and intended pace.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 1 |
Easy |
Intended for beginners. Small distance, smooth flat trail with little/no hills/traffic. |
For example, Carburn Park |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Not intended for beginners. Greater distance, some experience required for dodging debris, children, traffic. Some hills. |
For example, Glenmore Inn to Chestermere Trail |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Experienced skaters only. Greater distance, faster pace. Debris, children, traffic and some hills. |
For example, Edworthy Park |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Experienced skaters only. Greater distance, fast pace. Debris, children, traffic and significant hills. |
For example, Glenmore Reservoir Circuit |
Ice Skate
The degree of difficulty in ice skating generally is affected by conditions only - each participant can, of course
decide how fast/hard they want to skate. Beginners are always welcome on ice skating events.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 1 |
Easy |
Groomed ice |
For example, Olympic Oval |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Outdoor ice |
For example, Bowness Lagoon |
Cross-Country Ski
Cross-Country Skiing is rated according to terrain, trail conditions, distance, amount and type of hills, and expected pace.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
Notes |
| 2 |
Easy to Moderate |
Intended for beginners. Groomed trails, green (easy) trails only. |
For example, green trails at Kananaskis Village |
| 3 |
Moderate |
Not intended for beginners. Generally on groomed trails, green and blue trails, expectation for pace and distance posted. |
For example, blue and green trails around Peter Lougheed Info Center |
| 4 |
Moderate to Difficult |
Experienced skiiers only. Often trails are ungroomed, significant distance and hills. |
For example, Brewster Creek |
| 5 |
Difficult |
Experienced skiiers only. Often trails are ungroomed, significant distance and hills. Greater distance and elevation gain. |
For example, Chester Lake |
Downhill Ski
When downhill skiing, it is generally up to the individual how difficult the day will be. They choose which runs
to take and how many of them.
| Difficulty (D) # |
Name |
Specs |
| 3 |
Moderate |
A ski day with no specific expectations posted OR a ski day posted for green/blue runs |
| 5 |
Difficult |
A ski day posted for those who wish to ski exclusively black/double black runs |
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