Walks Grading

GRADING SYSTEM FOR WALKS

Please note the grading of the walk in the newsletter. The grading system is for your safety. *New members for their first 2 walks should tell the Leader they are new members, and they should not exceed a grade of M T3 F3. If you are from another club or have extensive experience and feel confident of handling harder walks discuss it with the activity leader, as they may not know you. This is for safety reasons, and also it is no fun for either the new member or the rest of the party if you find yourself unable to keep up with the group.

Activity Abbreviations

BC = Base Camp; EDW = Easy Day Walk, DW = Day Walk; TW = Through Walk; CDW = Children’s Walk; K = Kayak trip; BK = Bike Ride; NW = Night Walk; OT = Off Track

Gradings are given as Distance / Terrain / Fitness.

Distance indicates the approximate walk length of the outing in kilometers.

S Short – under 10 km M Medium – 10-15 km

L Long – 15-20 km XL Extra-long – over 20 km

Terrain is indicated by a number 1-8 (e.g. T6)

Terrain represents the degree of difficulty of track/off-track conditions such as the steepness and looseness of slopes, creek walking and crossing, amount of scunge (thick undergrowth), etc. Terrain also represents the demands on agility, experience, skills such as rock hopping (walking on possibly loose rocks, e.g. in creek beds), scrambling (using hands for balance and climbing), using hand ropes to assist climbing, abseiling, etc. and exposure (head for heights, cliffs). In the event of bad weather, the terrain grade should be considered as higher, e.g. T5 to T6.

T1 Flat road, flat even track, beach or town walking.

T2 Graded track, undulating, some rocks and roots.

T3 Graded, narrow track, open slopes, creek crossings with possibility of fallen trees.

T4 Rough, unformed tracks and/or partly off-track. Open terrain with obstacles such as rocks, roots, fallen debris, scunge. Moderate creek crossings, minor rock hopping. Rough forest and ridges, hill climbs.

T5 Off-track. Steep rough or rocky terrain. Small climbs/scrambles using hands. Sustained rock hopping.

T6 Off-track, steep rough or rocky terrain with significant climbs/scrambles using hands. May need rope assistance. Sustained rock hopping requiring moderate to large jumps. May be some exposure.

T7 Off-track. Climb/descend steep rock using hands and footholds. May be prolonged exposure. Sometimes rope assistance needed. Good upper body strength required.

T8 Off-track. Climb/descend near vertical rock with exposure (rope assisted).

Climbing skills may be required. Prolonged scrambles, sustained

rock hopping, steep scree slopes, razorbacks. Good upper body strength required.

Fitness is indicated by a number 1-6 (e.g. F3)

Fitness represents demands of physical (aerobic) endurance, strength, ability to maintain required pace overcoming terrain and distance in the time allowed. All walks will have rest stops but harder walks will have less frequent breaks.

F1 Basic- suitable for beginners. Up to 4 hours walking, minor hills, graded track.

F2 Basic- suitable for beginners Up to 5+ hours walking, minor hills, graded

Track. Normal walking pace of about 4 km/h on the level.

F3 Intermediate – suitable for fit walkers. Up to 6+ hours walking, and or up to 300m

elevation gain/loss.

F4 Moderate – up to 7+ hours walking and/or up to 600m elevation gain/loss. Agility

and moderate strength required. May be extra long track walk: over 20km per

day..

F5 High – up to 8+ hours walking and/or over 1000m elevation gain/loss. High

fitness, endurance and agility required. Demands on strength.

F6 Challenging – up to 10+ hours of walking and/or over 1,000m elevation

gain/loss. Strenuous aerobic activity. Very high fitness, endurance and agility required. Significant demands on strength.

Safety and Training (S & T) days are held from time to time and cover activities such as navigation using compasses, knots and first aid. Members are encouraged to attend these activities.