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People often ask me if going on an outdoor adventure is right for them. Quite often the question goes whenever they are fit enough to participate. I think the answer is quite multidimensional, so below I explain how I look at hiking/climbing/trekking/mountaineering activities.
Location
Do you consider the activity location safe enough, visa and other paperwork reasonable, and travel time and costs acceptable?
Length
How long is the trip? There is of course the question of having enough time off, but also different physical and mental preparation. Walking 15km a day several days in a row is different from having one 15km day, the same applies to accommodation, food, and hygiene.
There is a lot of value in longer adventures though as they both allow you to better “disconnect” from your normal daily life and build deeper relationships.
There is a lot of value in longer adventures though as they both allow you to better “disconnect” from your normal daily life and build deeper relationships.
Altitude
When it comes to altitude impact you should both look at the altitude you’re spending time on and how long you spent at the altitude - many altitude conditions take time to develop. I like to think about the peak altitude, ie the altitude of the summit you’re climbing, as well as the altitude at which you spend more than 24 hours. The classic altitude classification calls everything above 5500m “Extreme altitude” and this is fair enough as Europe and North America go, yet for many 5000m is where high altitude mountaineering just starts, and there is a huge amount of difference between climbing 5000m, 6000m, 7000m or 8000m+ peaks.
While Altitude is scary for many (indeed you can find many altitude horror stories) it is quite a special experience - with a reduced supply of oxygen your brain functions differently… and when going back to the lower altitude feels so special.
While Altitude is scary for many (indeed you can find many altitude horror stories) it is quite a special experience - with a reduced supply of oxygen your brain functions differently… and when going back to the lower altitude feels so special.
Physical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty is not very easy to gauge. Distance alone is quite useless, distance and altitude gain/loss are better but still depends on terrain quite a lot. The number of hours would be a good measure if it would not be so subjective - I find even on the same route I may take half the baseline time to cover some sections of the route, while more than the baseline on others.
Note, some people are just naturally slower hikers, but yet might be more capable than fast hikers who can get exhausted. Yet there is usually some speed you need to be able to maintain to safely complete the route, which can be limiting factors.
When looking at Physical Difficulty I like to look at how many hours a day is expected to work, with what weight, and what the hardest day (typically summit push) would look like.
A good baseline to have is - what ascent pace can you maintain on the steep terrain for many hours, with the nominal backpack weight? Some 300m/hour at sea level is a good baseline for medium-difficulty routes. Of course, altitude changes everything - if you look at Everest climbers you will see them gaining less than 100m per hour during their summit push.
Note, some people are just naturally slower hikers, but yet might be more capable than fast hikers who can get exhausted. Yet there is usually some speed you need to be able to maintain to safely complete the route, which can be limiting factors.
When looking at Physical Difficulty I like to look at how many hours a day is expected to work, with what weight, and what the hardest day (typically summit push) would look like.
A good baseline to have is - what ascent pace can you maintain on the steep terrain for many hours, with the nominal backpack weight? Some 300m/hour at sea level is a good baseline for medium-difficulty routes. Of course, altitude changes everything - if you look at Everest climbers you will see them gaining less than 100m per hour during their summit push.
Technical Difficulty
Generally Hiking/Trekking is considered non-technical while Climbing and Mountaineering are technical, yet even those non-technical terrain can be very different. YDS (Yosemite Decimal System) introduces several non-technical classes ranging from class 1 (basic walking on dirt trail) to class 4 where you’re expected to scramble using your hands and feet and if you fall you die.
If you go to actual Climbing/Mountaineering you need to look at specific skills for technique and equipment use, such as safely using ropes, ice axes, crampons, etc.
As you evaluate the route it is good to check on required technical equipment as well as what skills you are expected to have, versus what will be taught on the way
Many expeditions teach all required skills, yet you still need to be comfortable with what you need to do and the risks implied. For example, even if you’re taught how to self-arrest with the use of an ice axe if you happen to slip on the glacier, you just may not be comfortable with taking such responsibility.
If you go to actual Climbing/Mountaineering you need to look at specific skills for technique and equipment use, such as safely using ropes, ice axes, crampons, etc.
As you evaluate the route it is good to check on required technical equipment as well as what skills you are expected to have, versus what will be taught on the way
Many expeditions teach all required skills, yet you still need to be comfortable with what you need to do and the risks implied. For example, even if you’re taught how to self-arrest with the use of an ice axe if you happen to slip on the glacier, you just may not be comfortable with taking such responsibility.
Weight
How much weight do you need to carry (or sometimes pull on the sled)? For how long? Some folks (myself included) do very well with body weight, but not so weight with heavy backpacks.
Expeditions also can range a lot in terms of weight required - some self-reliant expeditions with long approaches can have very heavy backpacks, even as much as 30kg, in others you will just need to carry your daypack with layers, water, snacks, weighting below 5kg
Some routes will have different logistics options, allowing you to hire porters to help carry your load others do not. Another possibility to reduce the weight you carry is to do multiple equipment hauls, yet this requires extra time and needs to be planned.
When you are thinking about Weight think about altitude to - 20kg on the sea level is completely different from 20kg at 5000m. You can think about weight becoming 20% heavier for every 1000m above 2000m as a rough estimate
Expeditions also can range a lot in terms of weight required - some self-reliant expeditions with long approaches can have very heavy backpacks, even as much as 30kg, in others you will just need to carry your daypack with layers, water, snacks, weighting below 5kg
Some routes will have different logistics options, allowing you to hire porters to help carry your load others do not. Another possibility to reduce the weight you carry is to do multiple equipment hauls, yet this requires extra time and needs to be planned.
When you are thinking about Weight think about altitude to - 20kg on the sea level is completely different from 20kg at 5000m. You can think about weight becoming 20% heavier for every 1000m above 2000m as a rough estimate
Weather
Weather is another factor to consider. First, you should be ready for more weather variety and fast weather changes when you go up into the mountains compared to sea-level flats. Yet of course different mountains have different weather ranges of weather conditions you need to be ready for.
Temperature - First there can be quite a difference in temperature in the lowlands versus high altitude with an average of 6.5C colder per every 1000m gained, this means while there may be 30C on the sea level it can be below freezing at 5000m. You also have a lot more extreme swings between night and day and between sun and shade. In many cases climbs start before sunrise so you do experience those cold nighttime conditions. With altitude and lack of oxygen, the body does not have as many resources to maintain temperature, and as such cold can feel a lot colder, especially in extremities.
Wind - You generally expect more wind at altitude and more change to the wind between protected and exposed areas. Wind makes things feel colder due to windchill, and can whip up snow or dust to impact visibility. Powerful enough gusts of wind also can kick you off your feet or the mountain together - so it can be a safety issue.
Rain - Rain makes things wet and cold and you need protection for yourself and your equipment Rain tends to make everything less pleasant and requires more time and hassle - setting up the camp, cooking, etc.
Snow - Snow storms can be common at high altitudes, even during summertime. Snow requires protection, especially together with significant wind. Heavy snow can cause whiteout conditions, where you can hardly see the difference between the mountain and the sky - potentially serious safety issues. Heavy snowfall can produce deep snow, making travel very difficult, especially without snowshoes. It also can cause Avalanche conditions - one of the biggest dangers on the mountain or hide crevasses on the glacier.
Fog - The “Fog” is more common in the mountains as the altitude as it also can be the cloud. Fog and Clouds kill the views and particularly dense fog can be bad for visibility, creating a safety issue.
If you ask me I’m good with up to -30C cold, assuming I have good gear and winds are not terrible. I would avoid picking the time when a lot of precipitation or fog/clouds are likely as it tends to worsen the experience. At the same time, some of my “fun” single-day hikes were easier mountains in the less than perfect conditions.
Temperature - First there can be quite a difference in temperature in the lowlands versus high altitude with an average of 6.5C colder per every 1000m gained, this means while there may be 30C on the sea level it can be below freezing at 5000m. You also have a lot more extreme swings between night and day and between sun and shade. In many cases climbs start before sunrise so you do experience those cold nighttime conditions. With altitude and lack of oxygen, the body does not have as many resources to maintain temperature, and as such cold can feel a lot colder, especially in extremities.
Wind - You generally expect more wind at altitude and more change to the wind between protected and exposed areas. Wind makes things feel colder due to windchill, and can whip up snow or dust to impact visibility. Powerful enough gusts of wind also can kick you off your feet or the mountain together - so it can be a safety issue.
Rain - Rain makes things wet and cold and you need protection for yourself and your equipment Rain tends to make everything less pleasant and requires more time and hassle - setting up the camp, cooking, etc.
Snow - Snow storms can be common at high altitudes, even during summertime. Snow requires protection, especially together with significant wind. Heavy snow can cause whiteout conditions, where you can hardly see the difference between the mountain and the sky - potentially serious safety issues. Heavy snowfall can produce deep snow, making travel very difficult, especially without snowshoes. It also can cause Avalanche conditions - one of the biggest dangers on the mountain or hide crevasses on the glacier.
Fog - The “Fog” is more common in the mountains as the altitude as it also can be the cloud. Fog and Clouds kill the views and particularly dense fog can be bad for visibility, creating a safety issue.
If you ask me I’m good with up to -30C cold, assuming I have good gear and winds are not terrible. I would avoid picking the time when a lot of precipitation or fog/clouds are likely as it tends to worsen the experience. At the same time, some of my “fun” single-day hikes were easier mountains in the less than perfect conditions.
Comfort
When you’re in the mountains comfort scale is different from the Beach resorts but still can be quite different, ranging from Lodges with good food, real toilets, and hot running water found in Nepal or the Alps to sharing a small tent, cooking sublimated food on melted water and doing your business behind the rock.
Note it is quite common for the level of comfort to range through the expedition, generally the higher and to less accessible areas you go, the less comfort you should expect.
Here are some things when it comes to comfort to consider
Accommodation - Accommodation can be a variety of hotels/hostels in towns and villages, Mountain Lodges and Refugees in shared dormitories or private rooms, fixed large Tents or Geodomes in semi-permanent camps and finally dedicated and shared tents of various sizes and quality. Pay special attention to quality and proper set up - not properly anchored tent can fly away in the wind, and broken tent poles or zippers can cause quite a miserable night. Thin mattresses or those that do not hold the air receptors for cold and uncomfortable sleep.
Food - Food options can range from fresh food prepared by a dedicated cook to you being responsible for your cooking. If you have special dietary requirements check if they can be accommodated too.
Water - If you’re in the guided group Hot and Cold potable water is likely to be provided, however, if you’re on a self-assisted trip you might be responsible for melting or disinfecting/filtering water on your own.
Facilities - There is a lot of variety here - hot shower and running water might be available with a typical western toilet, outdoor bio-toilet, and all the way to wag bag to do your business behind the most comfortable rock or bush. Besides the camps, though you should always have your supplies to be able to go while on the trail, and for this you may need to lower your privacy standards - for example, if you’re walking on the snowfield there might be no place to hide for hours.
Power/Internet - An increasing number of “off the grid” camps and lodges have solar batteries or generators so you can recharge your smartphone and power bank. Some also have Starlink, other Satellite, or wireless internet. It can get pricy though. On some mountains, there is even cell phone coverage. The reliability of those may be wary so I would not rely on them. On the other end of the spectrum, you’re self-reliant, which means having Solar batteries, power banks, satellite communicators, and radios for communication.
Note it is quite common for the level of comfort to range through the expedition, generally the higher and to less accessible areas you go, the less comfort you should expect.
Here are some things when it comes to comfort to consider
Accommodation - Accommodation can be a variety of hotels/hostels in towns and villages, Mountain Lodges and Refugees in shared dormitories or private rooms, fixed large Tents or Geodomes in semi-permanent camps and finally dedicated and shared tents of various sizes and quality. Pay special attention to quality and proper set up - not properly anchored tent can fly away in the wind, and broken tent poles or zippers can cause quite a miserable night. Thin mattresses or those that do not hold the air receptors for cold and uncomfortable sleep.
Food - Food options can range from fresh food prepared by a dedicated cook to you being responsible for your cooking. If you have special dietary requirements check if they can be accommodated too.
Water - If you’re in the guided group Hot and Cold potable water is likely to be provided, however, if you’re on a self-assisted trip you might be responsible for melting or disinfecting/filtering water on your own.
Facilities - There is a lot of variety here - hot shower and running water might be available with a typical western toilet, outdoor bio-toilet, and all the way to wag bag to do your business behind the most comfortable rock or bush. Besides the camps, though you should always have your supplies to be able to go while on the trail, and for this you may need to lower your privacy standards - for example, if you’re walking on the snowfield there might be no place to hide for hours.
Power/Internet - An increasing number of “off the grid” camps and lodges have solar batteries or generators so you can recharge your smartphone and power bank. Some also have Starlink, other Satellite, or wireless internet. It can get pricy though. On some mountains, there is even cell phone coverage. The reliability of those may be wary so I would not rely on them. On the other end of the spectrum, you’re self-reliant, which means having Solar batteries, power banks, satellite communicators, and radios for communication.
Safety
While you of course always hope to complete adventure without sickness and accidents, things do happen and it helps to know what kind of assistance you can expect if things go wrong. Here are things to consider
On the Mountain Assistance - In a self-supported climb you may be on your own, so your safety largely depends on the training and equipment/first aid kit you carry. If you’re climbing with a guide, such a guide may have a first aid kit of different content and different training. For example, during my trip to the Everest base camp, I saw some guided groups that would have oxygen and a defibrillator with them, while others had nothing like that. In any case, there is always an opportunity for you will become disconnected from the group so it is a good idea to have at least basic first aid, survival skills and equipment, and emergency communication device(s).
Assistance at Camp - You can have issues at the camp or might be evacuated to the camp first. What can happen out there? The reality here may range from being on your own to having a doctor and/or rescue team on site.
Rescue Options - What if you need evacuation from the camp or the mountain? The options may vary. In some cases, you need to wait for the rescue team to be carried out, which may take anywhere from a couple of hours to 24h+ to arrive. There might be offroad vehicles or horse transport from some camps, and finally, there is Helicopter. While a Helicopter sounds great it has limitations on when it can fly - and it is exactly poor weather when accidents are more likely to happen. Helicopter availability is also not uniform - if you’re looking at the Nepal Everest area or Aconcagua there are a lot of commercial Helicopters during the season which can’t wait to evacuate you, as long as you or your insurance is ready to pay up. In other locations, you may be relying on state rescue services or military which may have a lot less availability. Whatever your rescue plan is - make sure you have a plan, and have it shared with your team in advance.
On the Mountain Assistance - In a self-supported climb you may be on your own, so your safety largely depends on the training and equipment/first aid kit you carry. If you’re climbing with a guide, such a guide may have a first aid kit of different content and different training. For example, during my trip to the Everest base camp, I saw some guided groups that would have oxygen and a defibrillator with them, while others had nothing like that. In any case, there is always an opportunity for you will become disconnected from the group so it is a good idea to have at least basic first aid, survival skills and equipment, and emergency communication device(s).
Assistance at Camp - You can have issues at the camp or might be evacuated to the camp first. What can happen out there? The reality here may range from being on your own to having a doctor and/or rescue team on site.
Rescue Options - What if you need evacuation from the camp or the mountain? The options may vary. In some cases, you need to wait for the rescue team to be carried out, which may take anywhere from a couple of hours to 24h+ to arrive. There might be offroad vehicles or horse transport from some camps, and finally, there is Helicopter. While a Helicopter sounds great it has limitations on when it can fly - and it is exactly poor weather when accidents are more likely to happen. Helicopter availability is also not uniform - if you’re looking at the Nepal Everest area or Aconcagua there are a lot of commercial Helicopters during the season which can’t wait to evacuate you, as long as you or your insurance is ready to pay up. In other locations, you may be relying on state rescue services or military which may have a lot less availability. Whatever your rescue plan is - make sure you have a plan, and have it shared with your team in advance.
Cost
Cost is another important factor to consider. In many cases, there is a range of cost options for a particular adventure, where if you spend less you often have to sacrifice safety or comfort. However, it is also very possible that some local or less experienced operators will be both better and less expensive than overmarketed brand names. Here are some cost-related items to consider
Outfitter and Accommodation Costs - How much do you pay for the organized tour, or accommodation, logistics, basecamp services if you’re doing self supported expedition? While this is typically the Headline number it is far from the total cost.
Permits and Insurance - Required Permits and Required (or optional) insurance may be included in the tour price or may not be. Both can be significant, especially for adventures far off the beaten path.
Airfare/Transport - Transportation costs. Make sure what is included in the cost of the trip and what is extra. There might be a lot of options - for some adventures you may have a choice between taking a bus/plane/helicopter for part of the way with very different prices.
Equipment - Do you have everything needed or do you need to buy or rent some? Specialized equipment is quite expensive. Some rental equipment may be included in the price others not. It also can be of varied quality. If you can pick up and test equipment in advance rather than just delivering one to you it is a better option, especially for items where fit is important, such as Boots. Comfortable quality equipment can make quite a difference!
Tips and Incidentals - Tips are expected and amounts can vary. I prefer to Google or ask locals about what is expected. There are also additional expenses to consider - sometimes you will find some meals are not included or there are additional food/drinks for sale. Internet, Charging, and Hot Shower all may cost extra, sometimes significantly more.
I hope this overview gives you things to think about when you’re considering your next adventure. Should you consider something else? Let me know!
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Outfitter and Accommodation Costs - How much do you pay for the organized tour, or accommodation, logistics, basecamp services if you’re doing self supported expedition? While this is typically the Headline number it is far from the total cost.
Permits and Insurance - Required Permits and Required (or optional) insurance may be included in the tour price or may not be. Both can be significant, especially for adventures far off the beaten path.
Airfare/Transport - Transportation costs. Make sure what is included in the cost of the trip and what is extra. There might be a lot of options - for some adventures you may have a choice between taking a bus/plane/helicopter for part of the way with very different prices.
Equipment - Do you have everything needed or do you need to buy or rent some? Specialized equipment is quite expensive. Some rental equipment may be included in the price others not. It also can be of varied quality. If you can pick up and test equipment in advance rather than just delivering one to you it is a better option, especially for items where fit is important, such as Boots. Comfortable quality equipment can make quite a difference!
Tips and Incidentals - Tips are expected and amounts can vary. I prefer to Google or ask locals about what is expected. There are also additional expenses to consider - sometimes you will find some meals are not included or there are additional food/drinks for sale. Internet, Charging, and Hot Shower all may cost extra, sometimes significantly more.
I hope this overview gives you things to think about when you’re considering your next adventure. Should you consider something else? Let me know!
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