Trekking Grading System - Kashmir Treks

TREKKING GRADES

Swiss Alpine Club Trekking Scale (SAC)
SCALE	ACTIVITY	TRAIL	TERRAIN	REQUIREMENTS
T1	HIKING	Trail well cleared	Area flat or slightly sloped, no fall hazard	None
T2	MOUNTAIN HIKING	Trail with continuous line and balanced ascent	Terrain partially steep, fall hazard possible	Hiking shoes recommended Some sure footedness
T3	DEMANDING MOUNTAIN HIKING	Exposed sites may be secured with ropes or chains, possible need to use hands for balance	Partly exposed sites with fall hazard, scree, pathless jagged rocks	Well sure-footed Good hiking shoes Basic alpine experience
T4	ALPINE HIKING	Sometimes need for hand use to get ahead	Terrain quite exposed, precarious grassy acclivities, jagged rocks, facile snow-free glaciers	Familiarity with exposed terrain Solid trekking boots Some ability for terrain assessment Alpine experience
T5	DEMANDING ALPINE HIKING	Single plainly climbing up to second grade	Exposed, demanding terrain, jagged rocks, few dangerous glacier and névé	Mountaineering boots Reliable assessment of terrain Profound alpine experience Elementary knowledge of handling ice axe and rope
T6	DIFFICULT ALPINE HIKING	Climbing up to second grade	Often very exposed, precarious jagged rocks, glacier with danger to slip and fall	Mature alpine experience Familiarity with the handling of technical alpine equipment