How do we determine our difficulty ratings?

In an effort to help you choose an appropriate climbing objective, we have rated our most common routes in terms of overall difficulty. This is generally a combination of technical difficulty, and overall strenuousness of the outing. This will give you a good idea of how challenging the objective is, in regards to other similar objectives. Of course, as with any simplification of an objective like this, conditions will play a huge role in the overall difficulty in reality.

Technical Difficulty

1: Easy

Little to no prior climbing experience required. Ample time available on the program to teach necessary skills to complete objective during the outing. Examples include introductory rock climbing programs and simple alpine objectives like the Beckey Route on Liberty Bell or the Coleman-Deming or Easton Glacier on Mount Baker.

2: Moderate

Some climbing background is advantageous and/or required. Prior experience or a skills training day will usually be necessary to complete the objective. Examples include the SW Rib of South Early Winter Spire or the Fisher Chimneys on Mount Shuksan.

3: Difficult

Prior climbing experience required. A phone call or email with NCMG will be required to confirm a good fit for these objectives. Examples include the West Ridge of Forbidden Peak, the North Ridge of Mount Baker or Fly Boys on Goat Wall.

4: Very Difficult

A robust climbing resume or previous climbing experience with NCMG required. Conditions will often need to line up well for these objectives to be feasible. Examples include Liberty Crack on Liberty Bell or Torment-Forbidden Traverse.

Fitness Level:

1: Mildly Strenuous

Short approaches and relatively short routes. Approach times can be in the 5-minute to half an hour range and technical climbing is limited to a few pitches of climbing.

2: Moderately Strenuous

Approach times are in the one to three-hour range with climbs that are typically completed in under 7 hours.

3: Strenuous

Approach times are in the three to six hour range with climbs that last over 8 hours. For single day programs or longer alpine summit days these climbs can be over 12 hours long. Solid fitness plus the ability to take care of yourself on the go are required.

4: Very strenuous

This rating is typically reserved for routes that are multi-day programs that people want to pull off in a single day. The day can extend over 12 hours.