Voetsac uses five parameters to determine the trail grade. These are part of the Hike Information Sheets that are sent out before each Saturday’s hikes. They serve to help hikers determine whether they can manage a hike or not. The five parameters are Distance, Elevation, Terrain, Cover and Time. Each gets a rating out of 10. Let’s look at each one separately.
Distance: This is simply the number of kilometers that will be walked, with anything above 15 kms being considered long. The distance for each particular hike is also given under the heading Trail Distance on the Information Sheet. For example, a distance of 7 or 8 kms would get a rating of 3 or 4 while a 12 km hike would get an 8.
You need to decide what distance your feet/legs can handle on a jeep track (or worse). This is not the same as the distance you could walk or jog on a road or pavement.
Elevation: This describes the up and down hills that will be encountered on the trail, and can be flat, gentle or include steep climbs or descents. A flat or even track with easy footing would be a 1 while something that makes a fit hiker puff and pant to get to the top would be an 8 or 9. Steep descents that require careful footwork and good core and leg muscles are also an 8 to 10. More or longer ups and downs also push up the rating.
The hike description on the Information Sheet will help in judging this parameter accurately. The hike name might also be an indication, such as Trig Beacon or Formosa Peak, which are obviously on hill tops.
Terrain: Here the environment is described, particularly from your feet’s perspective. Is the path underfoot smooth or rough ? Is it going to include boulder hopping, river crossings or scrambling up a hillside (possibly requiring hands and feet) ?
Most hikes have a combination of tracks and trails, so the rating is an average of what will be encountered. But a clear trail with a lot of jeep track would be a 1 or 2, while a narrow path with exposed roots would rate a 4 and bundu-bashing up and down steep inclines a definite 9 or 10. Again, the hike description may assist in judging this parameter.
Cover: This ‘merely’ refers to the amount of sun or shade to be expected on the trail. A forest walk could provide full cover (complete shade all the way) and rate a 1. A walk along a mountain ridge would have very little to no shade and so rate a 9 or 10.
The sun plays a large part in whether someone can complete a hike. Heat intolerance or sensitivity, dehydration rates and amount of water required differ from person to person and change with age. Sunblock is a must for all hikes as the African sun can be very fierce.
Time (duration): This one requires no explanation. It refers to the time needed for the average hiker to complete the hike in an enjoyable manner. This parameter should be used in combination with the others, but especially with distance. A hike of 10 kilometers in 3 hours means you can do it at a rate of more than 3 km per hour, so should be easy to complete. However, a hike of 8 kilometers that takes 5 hours means it’s going to take time to get across, over or under obstacles. Check the Elevation and Terrain – you’ll probably find that they’re rated above a 6 or 7.
In conclusion, a fit hiker with good balance and muscle tone should be able to handle any moderate hike. Walkers and joggers should consider the terrain and elevation carefully before deciding on moderate hikes. Sure, they can do the distance on a road, but it’s different on rougher terrain. Be aware of your sun and heat tolerance and how well your boots protect your ankles and how flexible your knees are.
Most importantly, realize that you are an individual and so different from the average. You know your own strengths and limitations better than anyone else. But also consider the hike leaders’ verdict on your ability to complete a hike as they know the trail well. They also need to ensure that everyone on their hike gets to appreciate the experience. That, after all, is our main aim – to enjoy our times together out on the trails.
Difficulty Rating Legend
The above categories are used in determining each hike’s difficulty rating in terms of easy, moderate or strenuous.
This is done as follows: Note that these ratings are in normal weather conditions.
Easy:
The hike is mostly level with minor gradients. Tree roots, small rocks, and things of that sort on any trail walk will be encountered. Hikes rated as easy won’t include scrambling (over boulders or rocks), no extensive boulder hopping nor bundu bashing.
A long, flat hike can get a rating of easy in spite of a longer distance. A shorter hike with more than minimal elevation gain, can be rated as easy due to its shorter distance.
An easy hike takes between 3-5 hours to complete, including tea breaks as well as stops for photos, swimming etc. The pace will generally be relaxing, with more breaks.
Easy hikes are generally suitable for anyone who enjoys walking. Just remember to choose an easy hike with a distance and terrain that you can comfortably handle. Bear in mind that hiking is not the same as walking on a pavement.
All people attending any easy hike must still be walking fit. Please see the walking program at the end to prepare & test yourself before attending your first easy hike.
Easy/moderate (easy+):
This rating typically describes hikes that are not flat but whose elevation gain is less than 80 meters per kilometer. For an easy/moderate hike, you should definitely be prepared for a lot of uphill walking. Overall, the uphill will be on the gentle side but there may be some short steeper sections. The pace here is faster than on an easy hike.
Moderate:
Hikes rated as moderate usually gain 80-140 meters elevation per kilometer. Moderate hikes usually ascend and descend steadily at inclines that require a fair level of fitness, e.g. being able to walk a 5-hour easy trail at 4 km/hr.
The terrain can consist of longer stretches of boulder hopping and short stretches of bundu bashing.
The duration of a moderate hike is 5-7 hours. This time includes tea and lunch breaks as well as stops for photos, swimming etc. The pace increases to approximately 3 – 5 km/h, depending on the terrain and there are generally fewer breaks to cover the greater distance.
Moderate/strenuous (moderate+):
This level is used for challenging hikes that fall somewhere between the moderate and strenuous rating. Perhaps the average elevation gain falls within the criteria for moderate but there are enough steeper sections or rough segments to warrant a higher rating. This may also describe hikes that are quite steep but short enough in distance to give it an overall feel of something less than strenuous.
Strenuous:
The hike is clearly difficult with steep inclines and often rough footing or rock scrambling and long distances. The elevation gain is usually greater than 140m per kilometer and is often 200m or more per kilometer.
A hike may fall in the strenuous level if the terrain is very challenging: such as for certain rock scrambles, boulder-strewn summits where there is no typical trail but rather a constant procession of boulders underfoot, rock debris at the base of a cliff, bundu bashing etc. Even if a hike’s average gain is less than 90 meters per km, a hike will be rated as strenuous if there are significant sections of the route that gain more than 140-metre elevation per kilometer.
The time it will take to complete a strenuous hike will be between 8-12 hours. This time includes tea and lunch breaks as well stops for photos, swimming, etc. The pace will depend on the terrain and will differ across the different sections.
It is very important to have the correct hiking gear for this type of hike and be very hiking fit.
Descriptions of Difficult Terrain
Rock Scrambling- Rock scrambling refers to the need to use both hands and feet in order to get passed boulders or ledges that are part of the trail.
Boulder Hopping – Boulder hopping refers to stepping from rock to rock. It is mostly in river beds and is very tiring.
Bundu Bashing – Bundu bashing refers to trail paths that are overgrown with the area’s type of vegetation or areas without any trail.
Basic Five Week Training Program for beginners:
The best exercise to prepare for your first easy hike is good, old-fashioned walking. Walking provides both a cardiovascular workout and strengthens the same muscles you’ll use on your hike.
Do the following for each of the five weeks to train for an eight-kilometer hike:
- Begin by walking 30 to 45 minutes three days each week.
- On a fourth day of each week, take a longer and faster walk to increase distance and speed.
- Each week increase your distance until you’re walking about two-thirds of the length of your hike. For example, if you train for 8 km you should be able to cover 12 km (3 hours) in your training in each fourth day.
- You should be fit enough after 5 weeks for your first easy hike.