Trip Difficulty Ratings

BACKPACKING TRIPS

DIFFICULTY & TRIP DESCRIPTION

BANFF HIGHLINE

CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike however, due to the length of this trip, guests must be in very good shape. There are a few long days early in the trip and guests will be carrying backpacks with camping and personal gear for most of the program. The trails are generally excellent but there is a lot of uphill hiking involved.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can keep it below 16kg (35lbs). On this trip we have food drops at two different locations en-route to keep loads light.

BANFF SAWBACK TRAVERSE

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike but guests must  be in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks for 3 consecutive 16km days over rough trails.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 16kg (35lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

BLUEROCK COUNTRY

EASY TO MODERATE
No prior hiking experience is needed but guests should be healthy and fit to get the most out of this trip. Some of the trails are basic and rough. This is a good trip for people who have never backpacked before as distances are not too long and elevation gains are reasonable.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 16kg (35lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

ELK HIGHLINE

STRENUOUS & CHALLENGING
This trip involves successive challenging days over rough and untracked terrain carrying full backpacks. The trails range from moderate to non-existent, and much of the trip is hiking off trail. In addition we may have to ford some streams. Prior backpacking experience is strongly recommended, and guests should be in good physical shape.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 20kg (44lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

HIGHWOOD CIRCUIT

CHALLENGING
This trip is rated challenging due to substantial elevation gains over untracked, rocky terrain. The trails range from easy to moderate to non-existent in some places. In addition we may have to ford some streams. Prior backpacking experience is not a prerequisite, but is recommended.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 16kg (35lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

JASPER HIGHLANDS

CHALLENGING
This trip is a little more challenging than the Rockwall Highline. No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike but guests must be in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks with group gear and personal clothing each day. The trails are mostly good but there are sections that have been damaged by horse traffic and some marshy (wet) sections.

Pack Weight: You will have to carry more on this trip as you will be out for longer and there are no caches or food drops. Expect 20kg (44lbs) on the first day with pack weights falling each following day.

KANANASKIS ALPINE TRAVERSE

STRENUOUS & CHALLENGING
By far our most challenging trip, one involving travel over very rough high mountain terrain with heavier backpacks. A very high level of fitness is required and previous backpacking and/or mountaineering experience is required.

Pack Weight: In addition to regular backpacking gear we will be carrying some mountaineering gear. By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 22kg (44lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day.

KANANASKIS HIGHLANDS

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed but guests should be healthy and in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks over some steeper rough trails. Day 3 can be quite tough and long with some off trail travel. This is a good trip for aerobically fit first time backpackers.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can keep it below 18kg (40lbs). Day 1 has the heaviest pack, it is noticeably lighter on the following backpacking days.

MOUNT ASSINIBOINE BACKPACK

MODERATE
No prior hiking experience is needed but guests should be healthy and in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks on the final three days of the trip. This is a good program for first time backpackers who are looking for a wilderness experience. The trails are well maintained, but day 5 has a steep uphill hike.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can get it down to 14kg (32lbs). On the first day you will have to carry a bit more than this as you have to hike 2km from the helipad to the campground. You won't carry a full pack again until 2 days later when you start the trip to Sunshine Meadows.

MOUNT ROBSON HIKE

EASY TO MODERATE
No prior hiking experience is needed but guests should be healthy and fit to get the most out of daily hikes and to handle a backpack on the 5th & 6th days. This is a good trip for people who have never backpacked before as the portion of the trip with heavier loads is generally downhill and on well established trails.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can get it down to 12kg (28lbs). On the first day you may have to carry a bit more than this as you have to hike 2km from the helipad to the campground.

ROCKWALL HIGHLINE

MODERATE TO CHALLENGING
No prior hiking experience is needed for this hike but guests should be in good shape as they will be carrying backpacks for 5 out of the 6 days. The trails are generally excellent but there is a fair bit of uphill hiking involved.

Pack Weight: If you have light gear and clothing and don't bring anything unnecessary you can keep it below 16kg (35lbs). On this trip we have a food drop at the half-way point to keep loads light.

SKOKI CIRCUIT

EASY
No prior hiking experience is needed but guests should be healthy and fit to get the most out of trip. This is a good trip for people who have never backpacked before as distances are not too long and elevation gains are reasonable.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 16kg (35lbs) on the 1st day, thereafter weights drop day by day. There are no food drops.

HIKING & WALKING TOURS

DIFFICULTY & TRIP DESCRIPTION

PARKS AND MOUNTAINS OF WESTERN CANADA

EASY TO MODERATE
The day hikes themselves alternate between easy days and strenuous days and can involve walking for up to 7 hours per day, distances up to 20 km, and elevation gains of up to 900m. You will need to carry a day pack containing spare clothing, your camera, lunch and something to drink each day.

CANADIAN ROCKIES WALKING TOUR

EASY TO MODERATE
This tour involves hiking for up to 5 hours per day, distances up to 12km, elevation gains of up to 600m. Guests will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, camera, lunch and something to drink each day.

GLACIER VIEWS CAMPING TOUR

EASY TO MODERATE
This tour involves hiking for up to 5 hours per day, distances up to 12km, elevation gains of up to 450m. Guests will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, camera, lunch and something to drink each day.  This program is designed for fit walkers.

ASSINIBOINE ADVENTURE HIKING TOUR

EASY TO MODERATE
This a relaxed walking program and the daily itinerary will be chosen based on the group's energy and aspirations. There is NO technical mountaineering involved in the ridge walking or easy summits we will attempt. Being in good shape for hill walking will significantly enhance enjoyment. Guests will be carrying a day pack containing spare clothing, camera, lunch and something to drink each day.

ESPLANADE TRACK - Hut to Hut

EASY TO MODERATE
This tour involves hiking for up to 5 hours per day, distances up to 8km, elevation gains of up to 500m. Guests will be carrying a daypack containing personal spare clothing, a lunch and something to drink each day. This program is designed for fit walkers.

WAPTA ICEFIELD HIKE

MODERATE
This program is suitable for those with prior hiking experience. Being in good shape already will add to your enjoyment of the trip. While we will be on glacier terrain often associated with mountaineering, you don't need any mountaineering experience. You will be using basic equipment which your guide will show you how to use. Your guide will also show you how to walk on the glacier and will explain and interpret the terrain to you. You need to have some confidence in your hiking skills as the hardest hiking is actually below the glaciers where we will travel on trails that are often rough and rocky. However there is no technical climbing of steep ice or rock slopes involved.

Pack Weight: By keeping personal gear light, pack weights need not exceed 14kg (30lbs).