Hiking and Mountaineering
IMR groups hiking, peak bagging and mountaineering trips together. 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.
Hiking trips (including some trips that require rock-climbing skills) are normally classified as A through D, with “A” being the easiest and “D” being most difficult.
Hiking and Mountaineering Trip Classifications
- Class A: Up to 8 miles round trip and 1200 ft. elevation gain. Prior hiking experience is usually not necessary; some level of physical fitness is helpful.
- Class B: Up to 8-12 miles round trip and/or up to 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. This is Strenuous to very strenuous physical activity. Prior experience and training is beneficial very, very helpful.
- Class D: Hikes up to or over 15 miles round trip and/or greater than 3500 ft. elevation gain. These require very strenuous physical activity often including exposure or requiring use of technical skills. Knowledge based on prior experience and training is highly beneficial.
Additional Hike Information
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. If you have fear of heights or are unsure of your ability to handle exposure, you may wish to go on a different activity, or consult with the Trip Leader to get input from them.
Within each of the above letter classifications, hikes may also be 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, but easier than a Moderate C hike.
“Exploratory” in the trip description simply means the leader has researched the route, but has not been there before. Participants should expect potential route-finding and not a clearcut/known trip.
The 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 11,000 in Idaho), 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.
Upcoming Hiking and Mountaineering Trips
SEP102010
Peak Bagging in the Lemhi Range
Join us for a late summer exploration of 11,000+ ft peaks in the Lemhi Range. We will leave Boise after work on Friday, start the long drive to the trail head (5 or 6 hours), and car camp at a primative site on the way. Saturday and Sunday we will hike peaks from our car camp. All summits involve 4,000 to 4,500 ft elevation gain over steep YDS Class 2 - 3 terrain and 10 to 12 miles RT. These are tough hikes with many rewards: stellar views of the Lost River Range to the west and the Beaverhead Mountains to the east. We might even get a glimpse of the Tetons. We will return to Boise late on Sunday. This trip is not appropriate for dogs.
» Trip Details Skill Level: Class D
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