hiking classes explained and what to expect with pack goats

Class 1 hiking is considered

 “walking with a low chance of injury”.

You won’t need to use your hands on these climbs and can simply balance standing up. 

On class 1 trails you will be on a well defined route the entire time, there will most likely be signs that will keep you on track and there isn’t much risk involved.   

Class 1 hiking is divided up even 

further into “easy, moderate and hard”. 

When rating a hike for “easy, moderate and hard” they are simply factoring in the length of the trail and the elevation gain.

The hike stays a class 1 trail because of the well established route and easy walking conditions. 

Class 2 is considered a hike that you may need some route finding skills and use of hands for balance.

On this type of trail you may encounter different types of terrain than the normal dirt trails you have become accustomed to in Class 1. 

These class 2 trails may take you over boulder fields and scree fields. The chance of injury increases and so does the chance of losing the trail. 

On a trail like this there is a chance of some exposure to heights, although a fall on this level will most likely only result in injury. 

The term “scrambling” (the use of hands and feet to pull yourself up the trail) begins on this type of terrain.

Most likely you will only experience small bouts of scrambling and won’t need it for the majority of the hike. 

The majority of a class 3 route will be a scramble and many times will take you up to the top of a peak! 

During a class 3 route you can expect to be met with rugged terrain- large boulder fields, steep scree fields, and rocky slopes. 

You want to be quite comfortable on class 2 terrain and route finding before you begin attempting class 3 routes.  

In our region, there are many Class 3 routes

that will definitely challenge you vertically.

If you thought class 3 was exciting, 

get ready for class 4! 

Class 4 is where hiking and scrambling begins to turn into a climb. 

In this class you will need to have experience with ropes, harnesses and belay practices. 

Falls at this level can result in death. 

The climbing is technically quite easy in this class but due to the exposure (your proximity to large cliffs and drop offs) and difficult terrain it is best practice to utilize a rope, helmet and be placing protection along the route. 

Before attempting class 4 climbing I would recommend you be well versed in rock climbing and alpine climbing and taking a class to ensure you are safe.

You should also be very wary of the people you are climbing with as you are essentially putting your life in your partner’s hands. 

Wahoo! We have made it to rock climbing! 

Class 5 is where the terrain becomes vertical. 

On this type of climb you will require ropes, helmets, harnesses, belay devices and skills, protection such as nuts and cams and specific climbing shoes. 

This class is considered the hardest class, within it there are sub-classes to determine the difficulty of the specific class 5 climb.

These range from 5.0 being the easiest and 5.15d as the most difficult. 

If you have ever climbed at a gym or outdoors this is the same scale they use.

The main difference between this and the vertical climbing is many times this is out in the alpine on a ridge or up a face that’s farther from civilization.

Common practice is to climb trad during these types of alpine climbs.

Our pack goats are high altitude raised, 

love to adventure out,

and everyone's safety is always number 1.

The thrill of our region is that it offers 

hiking classes for every level of challenge.

We primarily stick to Class 1 and 2 with our goats, but if You wish to challenge yourself with Class 3, we have access to these trails

 that the goats can scramble up with You.

We believe that the adventure with our goats,

the bonding that takes place combined with the sheer beauty of the trail, nature, and wildlife, combined with a delicious locally crafted lunch, 

is the experience You are desiring.

Goats are notoriously a pack animal, meaning they stay together as a group.

Our goats are naturally bonded to humans and to each other. 

You are in for a real treat!