A sensibly chosen trip will maximise your enjoyment and chance of success whether on a mountain summit or a trek. The selection of a trip that is beyond your ability and or fitness level could well result in an unpleasant trip experience, or in a worst case scenario, the possibility that a leader may require you to stand down from a summit bid or part of the trekking route. If you are in any doubt about the suitability of any of our trips please do not hesitate in contacting us for specific personal advice.

Technical Grade

1. Walking on low angle snow or straightforward scrambling on rocks. Ropes would not normally be required and previous climbing experience not essential - Good basic fitness needed, as required for hill walking or Munro bagging type activities.

2. Ropes would be used for glacier travel and/or low angle snow or ice slopes. Climbing experience would be preferred, but not absolutely essential - Good degree of physical fitness which might require some training perhaps running, mountainbiking or hiking.

3. Short, steepish sections of snow or ice up to 45 or 50 degrees. Previous snow and ice climbing experience is required - A high level of physical fitness together with the ability to carry a heavy rucksack for long periods of time on mixed ground.

4. Long, steep snow and ice slopes with steps of very steep ice possibly mixed with low to mid grade rock climbing. A good degree of all-round climbing ability and experience required - Climbs at this grade are exceptionally strenuous and a high degree of fittness is needed.

5. Steep ice climbing possibly Scottish III/IV or above with rock climbing of HS, alpine grade Difficile Plus. This grade suitable only for competent mountaineers climbing regularly at this standard or above - This requires hard physical effort often at extreme altitude in difficult conditions. A high degree of physical conditioning and training would normally be essential.

Additional Grading

E. Easy not very strenuous - Probably within the capability of most healthy people.

M. Moderately strenuous - May involve several hours of hill walking possibly at altitude.

S. Strenuous - Will involve many hours of steep hillwalking or scrambling possibly at altitude.

SS. Very Strenuous - Expedition type stresses should be expected. Long hours of very steep scrambling/walking at high altitude.