People Passionate About Nature

Trip Ratings

Posted: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Novice

ActivityDescription
General Characteristic
  • A day trip of 2-3 hr duration. Little or no experience required. Easy terrain or calm water. Limited physical fitness acceptable. Weather not likely to be severe and normally can be accommodated by an existing shelter.
Hiking & Biking (Helmet mandatory)
  • Hike up to 6 km on relatively flat terrain with a light pack.
  • Cycle 2 -3 hr on paved streets or bike trails at 10 to 15 km/hr.
Canoeing/Kayaking (PFD mandatory)
  • Paddle on calm water up to 3 hr. Some assistance in carrying or loading canoe may be required.
  • Paddle up to 3 hr in slow moving water and clear channel without sweepers or rapids.
XC skiing/ Snowshoeing
  • Ski up to 6 km on fairly flat terrain with a light pack.
  • Snowshoe up to 6 km on fairly flat terrain on packed snow with light pack.

Intermediate

ActivityDescription
General Characteristic
  • Typically a 4-6 hour day trip.Some previous experience and skill desirable. Some steep or difficult terrain or waves possible. Moderate physical fitness required. Weather not normally severe (shelter likely not available).
  • A fairly easy 2-5 day camping trip requiring medium/heavy packs, some specialized equipment and skills. Effects of inclement weather and injuries more severe than for a day trip. Weather not normally severe.
Hiking & Biking (Helmet mandatory)
  • Hike up to 12 km on flat and hilly terrain with a light pack.
  • Cycle up to 4 hr on paved or gravel roads at speeds of 15-20 km/hr.
Canoeing/Kayaking (PFD mandatory)
  • Paddle up to 6 hr under moderate wind and wave conditions. Knowledge or rescue skills desirable. Portages over easy terrain may occur.
  • Paddle in faster moving water and class 1 rapids (small waves and few obstructions). Knowledge of dangers of sweepers, ledges and entrapment. Skill in moving water rescue and use of throw bags desirable.
XC skiing/ Snowshoeing
  • Ski up to 12 km on flat and hilly terrain with a light pack.
  • Snowshoe up to 12 km on flat and rolling terrain on packed snow with a light pack.

Advanced

ActivityDescription
General Characteristic
  • A full day trip. Previous experience, significant skill and good physical condition required. Must be able to carry a heavy pack. Steep or difficult terrain or waves to be expected. Sustained strenuous activity required. Weather not normally severe.
  • A strenuous camping trip of many days duration requiring medium/heavy packs, specialized equipment and skills. Long portages over difficult terrain may occur. Severe weather conditions may halt trip and require use of skilled survival techniques. Accidents such as capsizing or physical injuries may be life threatening. Wilderness or remote location may make rescue or aid difficult to obtain.
Hiking & Biking (Helmet mandatory)
  • Hike up to 20 km per day over difficult terrain with a medium/heavy pack under possible severe weather conditions.
  • Cycle up to 7 hr on paved roads/gravel roads/wilderness trails at speeds of 15-25 km/hr under possible severe weather conditions.
Canoeing/Kayaking (PFD mandatory)
  • Paddle up to 8hrs under possible severe wind and wave conditions. Knowledge of rescue skills desirable.
  • Paddle in moving water with class 2 rapids (waves to 1 meter and boulders in stream, clear passages). Back ferrying and turns in 8 km/hr current likely required.
XC skiing/ Snowshoeing
  • Ski up to 22 km/day in flat and hilly terrain with steep sections and/or difficult off-trail terrain. Severe weather conditions are possible.
  • Snowshoe up to 22 kms on flat and hilly terrain with steep sections with medium pack and/or pulling a sled. Trail breaking may be required.
  • [Participant able to construct/set up emergency shelter, e.g. quinzhe, snow trench, lean-to. Capable of making emergency equipment repairs. Knowledgeable in assessment and care of cold injuries.]