Difficulty grading for our activities

We have established the following system of Grades of Difficulty in order to determine the physical and psychic demand of our activities

Easy:
· Short hikes of 3 to 5 hours, carrying just a daypack.
· We use cargo horses for the equipment when it is necessary.
· Reasonable altitude drops (330 to 1330 ft - 100 to 400 m).
· Lodging in hotel/lodge/hostel and occasionally, Camp (twin shared accommodation).
· Low physical demand.

Moderate:
· Longer hiking days of 5 to 8 hours, carrying just a daypack.
· We use horses for equipment loading.
· Moderate to steep altitude drops (1330 to 3000 ft - 400 to 900 m).
· Lodging in camps or in mountain huts (twin shared accommodation).
· Moderate physical demand.

Demanding:
· Longer hiking days of 5 to 8 hours.
· Use of horses/porters for transporting our loads.
· In some sections of the program, the clients have to carry his/her own equipment; and sometimes, part of the general equipment. (Personal porters may be hired at extra expense fee).
· Moderate to steep drops in altitude (1330 to 3000 ft - 400 to 900 m).
· Lodging in camps or in mountain huts (twin shared accommodation).
· Moderate physical demand.

Tough:
. Long trekking days of 6 to 10 hours.
· The clients have to carry his/her own equipment, and often part of the general equipment. (Personal porters may be hired at extra expense fee). Expect 15 to 18 kg load backpack
· Moderate to steep drops in altitude (1330 to 3000 ft - 400 to 900 m).
· Lodging in camps or in mountain huts (twin share accommodation).
· Physically high demanding.
· Is not necessary to have previous technical mountaineering experience.
· Previous experience for trekking and camping is required.
· We recommend aerobic training before the trip.

Very Tough:
· Long trekking days of 6 to 10 hours.
· The clients have to carry his/her equipment, and often part of the general equipment.(Personal porters may be hired at extra expense fee). Expect 15 to 18 kg load backpack
· Moderate to steep drops in altitude (1330 to 3000 ft - 400 to 900 m).
· Lodging in camps or in mountain huts (twin shared accommodation).
· Physically high demanding.
· Previous experience in trekking and camping is required.
· It is necessary to have some previous experience in mountaineering, skiing, or backcountry skiing.
· We recommend aerobic training before the trip.