Levels of difficulty

Our programs present five main levels of fitness requirements

While most of the journeys we offer are accessible to anyone in good health, others are more physically challenging and call for regular sporting activity to build up good stamina. We also propose trips ranked as hard or extreme that require virtually champion standard physical fitness! As a result we have considered it useful to divide our trips into varying levels of difficulty, symbolized by a number of planets ranging from one to five. These planets correspond to “Easy”, “Moderate”, “Sporting”, “Hard” and “Extreme”, respectively. Each level of difficulty for a trip is a combination of various factors, not all of which can be quantified: the number of hours per day spent in physical activity (hiking, skiing, kayaking, etc.), the distance covered, the difficulty of the terrain (altitude gain, type), relative isolation, general climate and potential hazards, porterage, expected technical level, and so on. For this reason the level of difficulty is marked on all our technical datasheets, and the factors justifying this level are detailed.

 

Easy

Symbolized by “one planet”, these trips are accessible to anyone in good health. They account for 40% of all our programs. Walks and hikes do not exceed 4 hours per day with an average altitude gain of less than 300 meters. Vehicles, porters or pack animals carry your camping equipment, provisions and large bags. All you have to carry is a small day backpack containing your water bottle, sunscreen, camera and maybe a sweater. 

 

Moderate

Symbolized by “two planets”, these trips account for 20% of all our programs. Hikes are between 4 and 6 hours per day with an average altitude gain of less than 500 meters. Vehicles, porters or pack animals carry your camping equipment, provisions and large bags. All you have to carry is a small day backpack containing your water bottle, sunscreen, camera and maybe a sweater.

 

Challenging

Symbolized by “three planets”, these trips account for 20% of all our programs. They propose treks or other activities of up to 5 to 7 hours per day with daily total altitude gains of up to 800 meters. These programs thus call for regular practice of trekking the rest of the year or of another intensive sporting activity. They frequently involve isolation and high altitude mountain conditions. Some programs may require participants to carry their own bags at times. These conditions are more challenging mentally and physically for participants.

 

Difficult

Symbolized by “four planets ", these expeditions are accessible to participants in excellent physical and mental shape. We offer roughly sixty programs of this type, the majority of which are in high mountain environments.  These programs propose treks or other activities of up to 6 to 8 hours per day with daily total altitude gains of up to 1,000 meters. The isolated environments mean that group safety depends on the stamina and self-sufficiency of each participant. Some programs may require participants to carry their own bags. Team spirit is vital in these ambitious projects that are aimed at outstanding athletes.

 

Extreme

Symbolized by “five planets ", these expeditions are considered extreme as not only are they extremely challenging physically but they also call for self-sufficiency in the activity in question. In the polar or high altitude environments you pass through, extreme conditions are the norm. These projects are rightly termed “risky projects” and we are one of the few travel agencies in the world to propose them. The risks involved are known to and accepted by all the participants, who are required to meet exacting physical and mental levels of fitness. An average of 10 to 12 hours’ activity is not unusual, with, some days, large altitude gains of more than 1,500 meters. To be accepted in the group, participants must be able to prove similar prior experience. Our expeditions include traveling to the Poles, ice cap crossings, summit ascents of 7,000 meters and higher, and other challenging, unsupported travel. Most programs require participants to carry their own bags. They call for prior preparation, lasting from several trimesters to a few years, that we can help you organize.   

 

 

Mountaineering, snowkiting or kite skiing, kayaking

For three activities to which we are particularly committed and for which we offer a large number of programs, we have defined levels of technical difficulty that will allow each potential participant to determine whether they possess the right skills for their project. These activities are mountaineering, snowkiting or kite skiing, and kayaking. Our École de l’Aventure training courses allow you to progress in these three areas. 

 

MOUNTAINEERING

 

 

The following technical ratings apply to normal weather conditions. The difficulty may increase in the event of bad conditions: fresh snow when moving over rocky terrain, insufficient or poor quality ice when moving over glaciers, and so on. Likewise, the situation changes radically, for the same technical level, with altitude, a heavy backpack, poorly equipped route, fatigue linked to the approach route if it is long, particularly hostile environment, etc.   

 

F like... Easy (Facile in French!)

Utilization of mountaineering gear (spikes, harness, ice axe, ropes, etc.) is necessary but the chosen route has no technical difficulty. Therefore, this level targets beginners who have had a little practice and/or have completed some training courses. You need to know how to equip yourself, walk with spikes, tie a few vital knots, etc.

 

PD like... A little difficult (Peu Difficile in French!)

Utilization of mountaineering gear (spikes, harness, ice axe, ropes, etc.) is necessary and the chosen route may offer minor difficulties: slightly steeper passages when moving over ice, wall height, challenging route, and continuity of effort. It thus targets “false” beginners who already have a little mountaineering experience and have already completed several routes of an identical or a slightly lower level.  

 

AD like... Fairly difficult (Assez Difficile in French!)

Utilization of mountaineering gear (spikes, harness, ice axe, ropes, etc.) is necessary and the chosen route may offer some significant difficulties: passages at 40/50° when moving over ice, rock climbing level 3 on low walls, challenging route, and continuity of effort. It thus targets those with previous mountaineering experience and who have already completed several routes of an identical or a slightly lower level.  

 

D like... Difficult (same in French and English!)

Utilization of mountaineering equipment (crampons, harness, ice axe, ropes, etc.) is required, and the route tackled already involves significant difficulties, from steep to very steep passages on a glacier route, to level 4/5 climbing on a short wall, to the engagement of the route and continuity of effort. It is therefore aimed at participants who are already highly experienced in mountaineering, and who have already completed a few climbs of this level, even at lower altitudes. And this technical rating applies, of course, to normal weather conditions: difficulty can increase in the event of poor conditions, fresh snow for a rocky route, insufficient or poor-quality ice for a glacier route, etc. The same applies to the difficulty of the route in the event of bad weather. Similarly, the situation changes radically, for the same technical level, with altitude, the weight of the rucksack, the lack of equipment for the route on site, the fatigue linked to the approach if it is long, the particularly hostile environment, etc. Here, experience is the watchword.

 

 

SNOWKITING OR KITE SKIING

 

 

Beginners Level

Accessible to participants with no or only little experience of snowkiting. This level requires no technical knowledge of wing maneuvering. The program content is based on an introduction to and a discovery of the activity. It aims at building up your confidence and helping you acquire the basics. You need to be a good on-piste and off-piste skier. Experience of kitesurfing for wing maneuvering is an advantage. 

 

Intermediate Level

Accessible to participants who have previous experiences of practice on snow with a kite, during a training course or a short expedition. For those with little kite skiing experience, regular practice of kitesurfing will ensure that they know how to maneuver the kite correctly. Such practice, combined with an excellent level of downhill and/or ski touring/back country skiing will ensure the necessary skills to progress in this sport.  

 

Self-sufficient Level

Accessible to participants who have extensive experience and knowledge of snowkiting, both in training courses and expeditions over several days. They are able to assess all risk factors prior to getting a kite in the air, can steer their kite with accuracy, and know exactly how it reacts in most situations, in order to focus on skiing and the terrain. They master and respect the "Power Zone". They can get their kite off the ground, and fly and land it in complete safety in all wind and weather conditions. Moreover, they have a good understanding of wind and weather as continuous careful monitoring and consideration of these factors are essential. They have no problems moving in all possible directions. They know how to control speed by placement of the wing in the wind window and the edge of their skis or snowboard. They know how to select the size of their kite according to wind and weather conditions. They can kite on all terrains, smooth or bumpy, and on both flat and rising ground. They anticipate problems. They know how to inspect and maintain their gear, as well as how to repair it if required.

 

 

KAYAKING

 

 

Ab initio Level

Accessible to participants with no or only little experience of kayaking. The program requires no technical navigation knowledge. The program content is based on an introduction to and a discovery of the activity. It aims at building up your confidence and helping you rapidly acquire the basics of sea or river kayaking. You must be comfortable in the water, be able to swim 25 meters, and not be afraid of capsizing. This program ensures you rapidly acquire the basic techniques, can fit the spray skirt unassisted, and know how to use a paddle to steer and balance your kayak.

 

Beginners Level

Accessible to beginners, in other words it targets participants who already have initial experience of kayaking and can justify a level equivalent to the “yellow paddle” or the “BCU 1 star”. They must be comfortable in the water and be able to swim in choppy water over 25 meters with a buoyancy aid vest and their paddle in their hand, know how to get into their kayak using their paddle, fit their spray skirt unassisted, use a paddle to steer (straight ahead, reverse, turn, turn round, and come back to the shore) and to keep your balance, capsize, and return to your kayak while awaiting help. 

 

Intermediate Level

Accessible to kayakers who are no longer “beginners” and can justify a level equivalent to the “green paddle” or the “BCU 2 star”. You need to master the basic technical gestures, that is, those for the beginners level equivalent to the “yellow paddle” or the “BCU 1 star”, be able to navigate with a wind force of 2-3 (less than 20 km/h and a sea state of small whitecaps), stay on course, steer accurately, and paddle while saving your strength, lean on your paddle to avoid capsizing, be able to rescue another paddler who has capsized or tow a paddler in trouble. However, these programs are open to beginner levels with a “high sporting” profile, that is to say resilient, possessing good coordination and no fear of water.

 

Advanced Level

Accessible to kayakers who can justify a level equivalent to the “blue paddle, calm water/sea” or the “BCU 3 star”. You need to master the basic technical gestures of the intermediate level equivalent to the “green paddle” or the “BCU 2 star”, be able to navigate with a wind force of 3-4 (less than 30 km/h and a sea state with numerous whitecaps), stay on course, steer accurately, and paddle while saving your strength, lean on your paddle to avoid capsizing, empty a boat in deep water, and rescue others. However, these programs are open to intermediate levels with a “high sporting” profile, that is to say resilient, possessing good coordination and no fear of water.