Outdoor Trip Ratings

When registering for a particular trip, it is the responsibility of the each individual to ensure that he or she is able to safely participate.Take note of particulars in the trip description (distance, terrain, equipment, etc.) as well as the trip rating.

Carefully review the Trip Rating Guidelines, below. These guidelines are also in Nature Manitoba News. Essentially "1" is easy/simple/beginner level and "5" is challenging/skillful/expert level.

Activities are generally organized and led by volunteers. However, you must rely on your own expertise and no representations are made in respect to the volunteers' expertise.For further information, call the Nature Manitoba Office at (204) 943-9029.

Trip Report & Informed Consent Form, Revised 2009. Copyright © 2009 Nature Manitoba. This file is in Adobe Acrobat Reader (PDF) format. Go to Adobe's web site to download a free copy of Acrobat Reader.

Trip Rating Guidelines

Please note that trips can be affected by weather conditions and participants must be prepared for inclement weather. Participants must have adequate clothing, water and food supplies and are responsible for ensuring that they have the proper equipment and that it is in good working condition. Participants must carry their own gear.

General Rating Guidelines applicable to all Activities

Rate 1 Novice	Typically 2 to 3 hours 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 retreating to shelter.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Typically 4 to 6 hours duration. Some previous experience and skill desirable. Some steep or difficult terrain or waves may be expected. Moderate physical fitness required. Seasonal weather not normally severe.
Rate 3 Advanced	Typically full day trip. Previous experience, significant skill and good physical condition required. Steep or difficult terrain or waves to be expected. Sustained strenuous activity required. Seasonal weather not normally severe.
Rate 4 Camping	Trip of several days duration with camping requiring heavy packs, specialized equipment and skills. Effects of inclement weather and injuries more severe than for day trips. Seasonal weather not normally severe.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Trip of several days duration with camping requiring heavy packs, specialized equipment and skills. Possible severe weather conditions - wind, cold rain sleet - may halt trip and demand use of skilled survival techniques or make accidents such as capsizing or physical injuries life threatening. Aid or rescue is difficult to obtain.

Cross-country Skiing

Rate 1 Novice	Ski up to 6 kilometers on relatively flat terrain with a light pack.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Ski up to 12 kilometers on flat and hilly terrain with a light pack.
Rate 3 Advanced	Ski up to 18 kilometers on flat and hilly terrain with steep sections with medium pack. May need to break trail.
Rate 4 Camping	Ski up to 18 kilometers/day on flat and hilly terrain with steep sections with medium to heavy pack under possible severe weather conditions.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Ski up to 22 kilometers/day in difficult off-trail terrain. Severe weather conditions are probable. Must be able to pull a loaded sled or carry a heavy pack. Trips are in wilderness or remote locations where physical injuries are potentially life threatening.

Snowshoeing

Rate 1 Novice	Snowshoe up to 6 kilometers on relatively flat terrain on packed snow with a light pack.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Snowshoe up to 12 kilometers on flat and rolling terrain on packed snow with a light pack.
Rate 3 Advanced	Snowshoe up to 18 kilometers on flat and hilly terrain with steep sections with medium pack. May need to break trail.
Rate 4 Camping	Can travel up to 8 hours with a 14 kg pack or pulling a sled. Able to break trail. Familiar with signs of cold injuries and first aid for them. Able to assist in establishing camp or building emergency shelter. Has basic route finding skills. Able to asses weather conditions. Adequate equipment to overnight in winter conditions.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Can travel up to 8 hours pulling a sled or with a 14 kg pack Can break trail. Advanced route finding skills. Lead and organize camp establishment. Able to construct/set up emergency shelter e.g. quinzee, snow trench, lean-to. Capable of making emergency equipment repairs. Knowledgeable in assessment and care of cold injuries. Strong awareness of weather conditions.

Cycling

Helmets must be worn.

Rate 1 Novice	Cycle up to 2 hours on paved streets at 10 to 15 kilometers per hour.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Cycle up to 4 hours on paved or gravel roads at speeds of 15 to 20 kilometers per hour.
Rate 3 Advanced	Cycle up to 6 hours on paved or gravel roads at speeds of 15 to 25 kilometers per hour under possible strong winds and rain.
Rate 4 Camping	Cycle up to 6 hours per day at speeds of 15 to 25 kilometers per hour under possible strong winds and rain. Camping trip has vehicle support. Specialized equipment and skills required.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Cycle up to 6 hours per day at speeds of 15 to 25 kilometers per hour under possible strong winds and rain. Camping equipment is carried on bicycles. Specialized equipment and skill required.

Hiking and Backpacking

Rate 1 Novice	Hike up to 6 kilometers on relatively flat terrain with a light pack.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Hike up to 12 kilometers on flat and hilly terrain with a light pack.
Rate 3 Advanced	Hike up to 18 kilometers on all types of terrain with a medium pack. Some strenuous activity possible.
Rate 4 Camping	Backpack up to 18 kilometers per day on all types of terrain with a heavy pack under possible severe weather conditions. Strenuous activity is probable and effects of injuries may be severe.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Backpack up to 18 kilometers per day over difficult terrain with a heavy pack under probable severe weather conditions such as strong, cold winds with driving rain, snow or sleet which may halt trip. Includes trips in wilderness conditions where aid or rescue is difficult and/or expensive to obtain. Physical injuries are potentially life threatening.

Canoeing—Flatwater

Life jackets must be worn.

Rate 1 Novice	Paddle on calm water for up to 3 hours. Some assistance in carrying or loading canoe may be expected.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Paddle for up to 6 hours under moderate wind and wave conditions. Knowledge of rescue skill desirable. Short portages over easy terrain possible.
Rate 3 Advanced	Paddle for up to 8 hours under possibly severe wind and wave conditions. Knowledge of rescue skills desireable. Long portages over difficult terrain possible.
Rate 4 Camping	Paddle for up to 8 hours under possibly severe wind and wave conditions. Knowledge of rescue skills desireable. Long portages over difficult terrain possible. Camping requires specialized equipment and skills.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Paddle for up to 8 hours under possibly severe wind and wave conditions. Knowledge of rescue skills required. Long portages over difficult terrain possible. Camping requires specialized equipment and skills. Wilderness or remote location makes rescue or aid difficult to obtain.

Canoeing—Movingwater

Life jackets must be worn. Helmets must be worn in rapids.

Rate 1 Novice	Paddle in moving water with currents less than 4 km/hour and clear channel without sweepers or rapids for up to 3 hours. Knowledge of rescue skill desirable.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Paddle in moving water with currents to 6 km/hour and class 1 rapids (small waves and few obstructions) for up to 6 hours. Knowledge of dangers of sweepers, ledges and entrapment. Skill in moving water rescue and use of throw bags desirable.
Rate 3 Advanced	Paddle in moving water with class 2 rapids (waves to 1 meter and boulders in stream, clear passages) for up to 8 hours. Able to back ferry and do turns in currents to 8 km/hour. Skill in moving water rescue and in use of throw bags required.
Rate 4 Camping	Paddle in moving water with class 2 rapids (waves to 1 meter and boulders in stream, clear passages) for up to 8 hours. Able to back ferry and do turns in currents to 8 km/hour. Skill in moving water rescue and in use of throw bags required. Camping requires specialized equipment and skills.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Paddle in moving water with class 2 rapids (waves to 1 meter and boulders in stream, clear passages) for up to 8 hours. Able to back ferry and do turns in currents to 8 km/hour. Skill in moving water rescue and in use of throw bags required. Camping requires specialized equipment and skills Wilderness or remote location may make rescue or aid difficult to obtain.

Kayak Touring

Life jackets must be worn.

Rate 1 Novice	Able to enter kayak from shoreline, egress overturned kayak in water, paddle in calm water in straight line with double bladed paddle and rudder for up to 3 hours.
Rate 2 Intermediate	Able to paddle in light winds and waves to 0.5 m, paddle in straight line without rudder. Paddle up to 6 hours.
Rate 3 Advanced	Able to paddle in moderate winds and waves to 1 m. Can assist in rescue of another kayak. Able to turn kayak and with assistance get back in. Paddle up to 8 hours.
Rate 4 Camping	Able to paddle in waves up to 1 m for up to 8 hours. Capable of wet exit and self rescue. Can assist in rescue of other paddlers. Cold weather paddling skills advisable. Able to assist in establishing camp efficiently. Suitable equipment for overnight trips.
Rate 5 Camping, Advanced	Able to paddle in waves up to 1.5 m and winds up to 20 km/hour for up to 8 hours. Able to wet exit and self rescue. Able to assist or aid in rescue of other paddlers. Familiar with use of throw bags and paddle floats. Rolling ability advisable. Can organize camp duties and establish camp in all weather or light conditions. Able to assess weather and water conditions for safety. Able to assess skills of other participants and give guidance as needed.