INTENSITY LEVELS
Enjoy the anticipation and preparation for your ESC Outside hikes!
Are you physically ready for one of our trips or are you interested in getting ready? Each of our hikes is assigned a difficulty rating by trip type – Levels 1 thru 5+. See our description of each intensity level. Let ESC Outside know the type of hike you’re interested in, and we can then select the corresponding hike and difficulty rating. Of course, let us know if you have any further questions. Our primary goal is for you to have an enjoyable experience.
The nature of our trips is such that they involve physical exertion and potential exposure to the elements, including cold water, possible freezing temperatures, heat, sun, wind and rain. Individuals who are ill-prepared and lack physical conditioning can endanger themselves, other guests and guides, and compromise the quality of the group-hike experience. Please consult your doctor if you have medical or health conditions that could impact your ability to participate in this outdoor adventure. The bottom line is that our trips are active – some more than others – and having a good base level of physical fitness if critical. The more prepared and physically fit you are for the adventure, the more you’re going to enjoy the overall experience.
Physical conditioning and consistent exercise prior to these trips are mandatory. The absolute best thing you can do to train for one of our hikes is to go hiking, and hiking with weight in your day/backpack helps even more. Hiking with weight helps build strength in your legs and core and helps fortify the connective tissue that keeps your joints strong and healthy. If you have aged knees, hips, or ankles then consider hiking & training with trekking poles.
Enjoy the anticipation and preparation for your ESC Outside hikes!
OUR LEVELS
EASY:
Accessible to all people in good health. On these hikes, you have to be able to walk over uneven terrain for 3 hours, without carrying much weight
MODERATE:
Accessible to all those in good health, who are doing some sport regularly, and who are used to all-terrain hikes. Previous hiking experience is certainly recommended for these hikes.
CHALLENGING:
Suitable for those that are physically active and have some background in basic traveling in mountainous terrain with a backpack. 6-7 hrs hike.
Moderate Level trips or relevant similar experience is required.
DEMANDING:
Demanding some effort and certain endurance. Good health and some hiking experience are required. 6-8 hours hike. Involves carrying your own gear. Challenging Level trips or relevant similar experience is required.
STRENUOUS:
Only suitable for people physically and psychologically prepared for a highly engaging experience. Involves carrying your own gear.
EXTREMELY STRENUOUS:
Only suitable for people physically and psychologically prepared for a highly engaging experience. Involves carrying your own gear. Similar previous experience is required for these hikes.
Strenuous & Extremely Strenuous level hikes are limited to our “Grand Canyon and Mt Whitney” trips, which require more physical and psychological commitment than our Challenging or Demanding trips. You will hike 20+ miles for 14+ hrs with more than 5000′+ of elevation gain/loss which include many miles of travel over steep & very rocky terrain.