I’ll just post where it is now since the second take is mid-thread and the top is uneditable.
updated: 2023-10-26, downgrading use_of_hands to hands_for_balance. You can see the original one in the first post, I’m basically just dropping mantling to keep it more consistent. I’ve also tweaked requirements a little bit.
updated: 2023-11-08 change scrambling to use_of_handholds
It looks like I can’t update the original post anymore, so here’s updated values for the T1 - T2 range of hikes.
Value 0: unverified walking
hiking_technique=unverified_walking
This value would exist for data ported over from the existing sac_scale T1, as the trail could be either casual walking or attentive walking and that would need to be done manually later.
Value 1: casual walking
hiking_technique=casual_walking
Falls under: Class 1 YDS, ~NFS Class 4-5, SAC T1 / Yellow, Austria Blue, CAI T, AWTGS Grades 1, PWS W1 & W2
Obstacles: The ground may not be entirely smooth and have some irregularities, but it has few obstacles and they tend to be smaller or have a large amount of space around them. It isn’t uncommon for these trails to use imported materials for their surfaces, but can also be on compacted or naturally even ground.
Slope: Flat to moderate.
Typical Requirements:
- Be able to casually walk. Casual walking paths that wheelchair accessible should be tagged with wheelchair=yes. In generally people will mobility issues, need to use a walking aid, or are very old or young can safely traverse this terrain.
- Almost all casual footwear will be adequate.
- Little to no focus needed for traction, people can walk and talk and not pay much attention to the path surface.
Value 2: attentive walking
Falls under: Class 1 YDS, ~NFS Class 2-3, SAC T1 / Yellow, Austria Blue, CAI T, AWTGS Grades 2, PWS W1 & W2
hiking_technique=attentive_walking
The trail has some ankle to knee high obstacles like roots or rocks, but these can almost always be walked around and it’s possible to walk on an even or nearly even surface.
Typical Requirements:
- Be able to walk in a coordinated manner and avoid obstacles. People that need to use aids when walking, or have some kind of issue that impacts their mobility can have problems in sections.
- Sneakers or other casual footwear should be fine barring specific terrain like mud etc.
- Focus occasionally needed for traction, people can walk and talk at times but will need to look at their feet.
Slope: Flat to moderate.
Value 3: surefooted hiking (or surefooted walking)
hiking_technique=surefooted_hiking
Falls under: Class 1 YDS, NFS Class 1-3, SAC T2 / White-Red-White, Austria Red, CAI E, AWTGS Grade 3?, PWS T1-T2
Obstacles: The path has around ankle to knee high obstacles (roots, rocks, etc) that need to be stepped on / passed through to proceed forward. It’s common to have long stretches of trail that are on uneven surfaces.
Slope: Generally flat to moderate.
Typical Requirements:
- Able to walk with balance, coordination, and sure-footedness.
- Footwear is more consequential but lightweight but outdoorsy shoes like trail runners or approach shoes should be perfectly fine, flip flops and high heels will be awkward or unsafe. People with bad ankles or that lack experience may want traditional mid or high top boots.
- Attention will need to paid to footing in places to avoid loss of traction or tripping.
Value 4: hiking while using hands for balance
hiking_technique=hands_for_balance
Falls under: Class 2 YDS, NFS Class 1-2, SAC T3 / White-Red-White, UAII 1, Austria Black, SWW White-red-white, CAI EE, AWTGS 3-4?, PWS T3-T4?, BMC Grade 0.5?
Obstacles: This ground that is uneven or steep enough that it’d be reasonable to expect people to occasionally use their hands or trekking poles for balance while hiking. If talus isn’t so large you need to climb over it, but it’s larger than in surefooted_hiking and you need to put a hand on a piece here or there to support yourself it falls into this category. Note that while this type of terrain is commonly talus, it can also be steep enough slopes of any surface.
Slope: Even flat terrain can have obstacles on it that require use of hands to surmount. Additionally once terrain gets close to or over 30° hands (or trekking poles) are generally used for support and balance as the slope itself becomes an obstacle. Nearly all highly developed trails are explicitly designed to avoid such steep angles, but there are exceptions.
Typical Requirements:
- Along with being surefooted, you need a stronger sense of balance and coordination than on
surefooted_hikingterrain. - Footwear with grippy soles meant for hiking is recommended (boots, approach shoes, etc).
- The ability to think a few steps ahead and a little bit of confidence when focusing on the path are very helpful.
Value 5: Use of Handholds
hiking_technique=use_of_handholds
Falls under: Class 3-4 YDS, Bouldering VB, NFS Class 1, SAC T4-6, UAII 2, Austria “Alpine Route”, CAI EE, AWTGS 4-6?, PWS T3-R?, BMC Grade 1-3
Obstacles: High angle obstacles that need to be “climbed” for significant lengths of time finding handholds and footholds and pulling oneself up, but are simpler than technical climbing which use of a rope and harness are expected (see grading systems above). Feet are off the ground for more than a few moves, or there are repeated sections of short climbing. This is going to be a slim minority of paths in many regions.
Slope: Generally moderate to high angle.
Typical Requirements:
- Physically fit, being able to pull up a decent portion your body weight with upper body strength.
- Approach shoes, “high route shoes”, cross trainers, or boots are recommended. You’ll generally want either more traditional boots with “structure” or a lightweight shoe that conforms to the foot for better feel and independent use of foot muscles for control.
- While not considered “technical climbing” significant risk can be involved. Previous climbing or mountaineering experience is highly recommended.