Difficulty Levels for Backpacking and Canoe Trips

Difficulty Levels - Whether we are talking about salsa on a plate of nachos or the level of difficulty of an adventure trip, we all define “mild”, “moderate” and “difficult” slightly differently. We define these measures based on what would be mild, moderate or difficult for ourselves. What is mild for one person could be difficult for another. Attitude, physical fitness, comfort levels, terrain, level of remoteness, weather and other environmental conditions are all factors that can cause an endeavor to vary in perceived or real difficulty level. Weather or environmental conditions can change everything very quickly and cause a “mild” trip could turn into a “moderate” or “difficult” trip.

At Beech Cliff, we assign a “difficulty level rating” to a trip based on the following criteria:

• Terrain: elevation gain, ease of footing, class of rapids,
• Types of skills needed to participate in a manner equal with the demands of the terrain
• Distance that a trip plan estimates a group needs to travel per day in order to finish a trip on schedule (note: we will always choose to arrive back from a trip late, safe, happy and healthy over “trying to meet a timeline”).
• Remoteness of location & abundance/ease of access to potential evacuation routes

In addition to this, you need to honestly factor in your:

• Attitude
• Skill level with canoeing or backpacking
• Comfort learning and harnessing new skills
• Physical fitness level

Backpacking

• Mild: Up to 5 miles per day covering terrain that has relatively easy foot placements.
• Moderate: Between 5 and 10 miles per day with varying terrain and possible steep ascents to mountain tops. Hiking 6 to 8 hours per day. Beginners are welcome and time will be spent on skill development.
• Difficult: 10 or more miles covered per day over any terrain. Strenuous, very steep mountains, boulder scrambling. Excellent physical condition and a great attitude a must.

Canoeing

• Mild: Up to 10 miles per day covering flat water that is fairly protected from winds. Beginners encouraged.
• Moderate: Between 10 to 15 miles covered per day with class I to II rapids possible. Portage over terrain that would be considered mild to walk on. Plenty of time spent on skill development. Beginners are welcome if they are very comfortable with water. Could be strenuous at times, paddling 6-8 hours per day.
• Difficult: Between 15-20 miles per day with possible class III rapids. Experienced paddlers highly suggested. Any portage may be over terrain that would be considered moderate to hike on (very muddy, narrow or demands extra careful foot placements). Strenuous, paddling up to 10 hours per day.

Some of the locations we travel within are significant distances from advanced emergency medical care. Our leaders are all Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness EMT or EMT-certified and can provide medical aid within their standards of care. Still, evacuation to advanced medical services may take many hours or even days depending on terrain, geographic location, weather, and the ability to contact additional help.