Dear
Friends,
If you are young, lead a dependably active lifestyle, are healthy and
pain free, then the Pilgrimage field trips should pose a problem for you.
However, since most of us DON'T fall in this category, please read the hiking
difficulty levels and choose a hike that is suitable for your
ability. Note: All Pilgrimage trails fall pretty much in the back-country realm of
sophistication -- meaning trails that are narrow and uneven, with occasional
fallen logs. However, there is a range of difficulties among these. If in doubt, especially if you have joint difficulties or you do not
lead an active lifestyle (regardless of how much you wish you did!), please err
on the side of caution and pick the easiest of the two levels you are
considering. Although it is human nature to overestimate one's abilities, you'll
have a lot more fun if you don't! TRAIL ENJOYMENT is in no way associated with
trail difficulty. |
Field Trip Hiking Difficulty Levels:
Agility
Agility A --
Trails that are
relatively flat, no steps
Agility B --
Trails that are
relatively wide flat trails but have some steps, okay for bad joints if you can
handle some steps
Agility C --
Narrow uneven backcountry trails, sometimes cut into a hillside, may be some
steps to navigate, a few stream crossings with possibly steep muddy banks,
occasional logs to step over
Agility D --
Field trip very uneven footing, may be uneven rocks on the trail or hiking
off-trail, possibly involving slopes and navigating over fallen logs, trails may
not be cut into the hillside at all or very well
Agility E --
These
trails require extreme agility and sturdiness, with
an ability to hike four miles a day without pain. They may require wading in the
water on slippery rocks for some distance, or they may require navigating down
very steep and slippery slopes off-trail. They have some level of risk as
slipping, falling or getting dirty is a possibility, in some cases a good
possibility!
Areobics
Aerobics
A --
Field Trip is
less than 1 mile, mostly flat,
Aerobics
B --
Field Trip is
less than 2 miles, mostly flat with some steps
Aerobics
C --
Field Trip is
2 to 3 miles, may have moderate slopes for short periods.
Aerobics
D --
Field Trip is
three or more miles, may have long moderate ascents and/or occasional scramble or
difficult stream crossings. Recommended only for people who lead healthy active
lifestyles, can hike without disturbing pain, and have good joints.
Aerobics
E --
Field Trip is
three or more miles and require
high levels of agility and sturdiness. The trip
may require wading in the water on slippery rocks for some distance, or it may
require navigating down very steep and slippery slopes off-trail. A relatively
high level of risk exists. Slipping, falling or getting dirty is a possibility, in some
cases a good possibility!
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