Trekking and Climbing grades in Nepal

EASY TREKKING & HIKING

There are no, or a few, sporting and physical activities. This kind of trip is open to everyone and is generally turned into a cultural visit. If the stay possesses a physical activity such as walking, this one is limited in time and has a low level.

Mostly flat terrain with some small gradients possible. Average daily distances are approximately 5 to 15 km.

MODERATE TREKKING & HIKING

This kind of stay can include physical activities such as mountain biking or trekking, which can last several days. It requires correct physical fitness and is for people who practice sporting activities on a regular basis. The traveling conditions can sometimes be crude, such as nights spent under a tent, in shelter, or in the inhabitant’s house. The walking period per day can be at most 7 hours, with a positive drop of about 800 meters. Trails will be flat, with more frequent hills and possibly steeper hills. Average daily distances are approximately 10 to 20 km.

DIFFICULT TREKKING & HIKING

Stays include intense physical activity, essentially trekking. The time of walking per day can be more than 7 hours some days, and the positive drop is above 1000 meters on accidental lands with sometimes mountain passes at high altitudes (above 5000 meters). Only for people with very good physical fitness. This kind of stay includes travel conditions that are sometimes a little bit hard, with many nights spent under a tent, subject to climatic fluctuations. More hilly terrain with some very steep hills. Average daily distances of approx. 10 to 20km

VERY DIFFICULT TREKKING & HIKING

Mountaineering, backcountry, and expeditions. For this level, more serious physical preparation and previous experience in similar activities are required. Climbing skills, ski tour skills, and avalanche safety are mandatory. These are trips in the expedition style, and you will have to carry your backpack with the necessary gear in the difficult conditions of the highlands, sleep in tents, relax in places with fascinating views, and sometimes enjoy these views in extremely harsh conditions.

PEAK CLIMBING AND EXPEDITIONS

According to the French Alpine Grades, mountaineering routes can be classified as follows:

• F: Easy. These routes involve easy glacier travel and may require some rock scrambling. Except for the glacier sections, you can often climb rope less.
• PD: A little difficult. These routes involve some technical climbing sections and glaciers of higher difficulty. There may also be some short sections of steep terrain. They are good introductory climbs for beginners.
• AD: Fairly hard. These are physically demanding routes for experienced alpine climbers. They usually have steep and exposed climbing sections or snow / ice slopes over 50°. The descents are long and more complicated, and most of the route requires ropes.
• D: Difficult. These routes involve sustained rock climbing, ice climbing, or snow travel. They are considered a significant undertaking and demand a huge commitment.
• TD: Very difficult. Highly technical climbs that involve long distances, remote locations, and hard multi-pitch climbing sections. Besides, there are often other hazards like bad weather (extreme cold, strong winds) or poor protection on the routes.
• ED: Extremely difficult. These are extreme climbs (the most difficult in the world, actually!) with continuous difficulties. They take several days to be completed.
• ABO: Abominable. This category is reserved for the most impossible and dangerous climbs.