Organization and conduct of the PVD

In terms of form and content, tourism activities are divided into:

1. Walks - short-term movement in the surrounding area for educational, recreational purposes. There are hiking, skiing, cycling, boating.

2. Excursions - collective visits to certain objects for educational or scientific purposes.

3. Hiking - travel by active means of movement in remote areas for educational, recreational, sports, research purposes. There are educational, educational, health-improving, sports, agitation-mass, divided into planned and amateur, local and long-distance, one-, two- and multi-day, as well as by the method of transportation (hiking, mountain, skiing, cycling, etc.). ) and the nature of the travel environment (mountain, flat, water, underground, etc.).

4. Expeditions - organized multi-day trips to little-explored areas with special research goals, often in several groups.

5. Camps - organized stationary centers for tourist activities.

6. Gatherings - short-term mass events of a tourist orientation.

[The main activity of the PKT is conducting long-distance multi-day amateur sports mountain hikes.]

An effective form of attracting beginners and preparing tourists are weekend hikes (PVD).

[PVD are local one- or two-day amateur educational and recreational hiking (most often) flat hikes.]

When preparing, the main thing is the correct choice of the route in accordance with the main goal of the trip.

The length of the PVD is usually no more than 25 km per day (corresponds to 5 ... 8 hours of movement over rough terrain).

It is important to include in the plan of such trips not only purposeful monotonous movement along the route, but also elements of training in specialized and related types of tourism, orienteering, sports games, local history moments, bivouac work, a cultural component, acquaintance with the flora and fauna of native places.

Already in the PVD, participants should be instructed to perform the duties of a supply manager, doctor, navigator, weigher, repairman, photographer, financier, and there is an opportunity to try themselves in different positions.

Usually, in the form of PVD, the so-called “KSS” (from “control and rescue service”) is also carried out - a check of the readiness of the group for the hike, carried out shortly before entering the route of the sports hike by the ICC (route qualification commission) of the “issuing” tourist club.

A set of difficulties for a hike of the 1st category of difficulty

Sports hikes are divided into 6 categories of difficulty: from 1st to 6th; there are also non-categorical hikes (with the possible inclusion of obstacles of any difficulty category in the route). The category of complexity of the trip is determined by the method of expert assessments by comparing the route with reference routes established on the basis of the experience of conducting trips for a particular area and this type of tourism.

Difficulties for mountain trekking include:

2. The length of the route (its walking part).

3. The duration of the hike (determined by the number of overnight stays in the field) - minimum and maximum.

4. Altitude factor (highlands - areas with a height of at least 2500 m).

– defining difficulties, as well as:

5. Acclimatization to mountain conditions.

6. The need for approaches to the area of ​​the campaign.

7. Weather and seasonal factors.

8. The need to use specialized equipment.

9. Autonomy associated with remoteness from "civilization".

10. Continuity of being on the route - as opposed to "travel".

– additional difficulties; In addition, the successful passage of the campaign is influenced by:

11. The degree of knowledge of the area of ​​the campaign.

12. The experience of the participants (formal and actual, as well as the presence of "30%" in the group).

13. Availability of adequate local cartographic support.

Formal signs of a mountain hike 1 class:

1. Duration - at least 6 walking days.

2. Length - at least 100 km. (Measured on a map at a scale of 1:100000 and multiplied by a factor for rugged terrain equal to 1.2. A reduction in length by no more than 25% is allowed if there are additional defining obstacles.)

We invite you to ski sports trip. The route is suitable only for those who have experience of winter camping in the field (a warm tent with a stove) and confidently move on skis. The Khibiny tundra is a wonderful place for those who want to try their hand at ski tourism.

On this trip, there is a high probability of finding an unforgettable experience. northern Lights!

It is possible to rent ski kits(wide skis with universal bindings, shoe covers and poles). Training is carried out on winter trips BEFORE the trip. We recommend participation in at least two winter trips (taken place in the Leningrad region) or the provision of certificates of participation in sports events.

We will spend the night warm. All overnight stays in a tent with a stove, where you can warm up and dry things. We will cook food on a fire on our own, two people each. When we go through the forest zone, we will have lunch by the fire, while passing the passes - reinforced snacks with hot tea from thermoses.

The route is declared at the Route Qualification Commission of the KO St.Petersburg and is registered with the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The trip report takes part in the St. Petersburg Ski Sports Tourism Championship with a possible subsequent assignment of categories.

Participants who have passed the entire route, including radial exits (without backpacks), receive a certificate of passing the route of the 1st category of difficulty.

Daily program

Day 1

Meeting participants from St. Petersburg, Moscow and other cities at the station Apatity at 19 o'clock. The ordered transport will take us from the station to the village Koashva. On this day, our task is to move away from the road and set up camp. This process may take some time - the depth of the snow cover can reach 1.5 meters ...

Dinner, group introduction. Overnight in a tent, duty at the stove.

Day 2

After waking up and having breakfast, we collect the camp and start moving. The more we walk today, the less we walk tomorrow. Most likely on this day the main difficulty on ski track will be ... her absence. Our path runs on ice Umbozera and grader road to the base Tulyilukht.

For lunch we stop under Mount Koashkar. After lunch, we make the first radial exit (without backpacks) to the pass point Koashkar(360 m). We leave above the forest zone, admire the Umbozero from above, listen to a lecture on avalanche danger, the rules for passing avalanche areas and return along the path to the backpacks. We put them on and go further along the grader.

We go to the valley of the stream Tuljok where we set up camp.

Day 3

After collecting the camp, we begin to move along the tracks of snowmobiles. Most likely, we won’t have to trail ... It’s still imperceptible, but we are gaining altitude. The backpacks are still heavy, but our legs are already accustomed to skis, and we have time to see and photograph the surrounding beauties.

For lunch we stop right on the ski track. After lunch we continue moving. At some point we will go along the stream bed. Right on ice bridges, under which "noise, water sings."

The result of the day is setting up a camp in the "burnt forest". There is a lot of firewood, there is water, it does not blow - what else does a tourist need? POLAR LIGHTS!

Day 4

First day of full radial exit. Lightly, we begin to move up the channel of the South Kaskasnyunyok stream to the lake Academic(765 m). There will be no lunch today! But no one will remain hungry either - an enhanced snack will fully restore strength.

If the weather permits, then you can return back not by your own ski track, but by sliding down the mountain (905 m) “with a breeze” through the pass Kuropachy. But we plan to return along our ski track. A reinforced dinner and a tent are waiting in the camp. Equator.

Day 5

Longest crossing. Pleased with the lightness of backpacks - the main food supplies are eaten. We move along the ski track to the pass Umbozersky. The snack is divided into several parts and therefore it seems that the whole day we go and eat. The height of the pass is 528 m, it blows.

There are some pretty steep sections on the descent. The last few kilometers along the valley will seem the most difficult. Kuniyoka by cuttings. It would be nice to find someone else's parking lot with a supply of sawn firewood ...

Day 6

Day of the second radial exit. Climbing without backpacks Southern Rischorr Pass, from there to the top of Kaskasnyunchorr (1100 m). We ski down to the KSS base through the Rischorr gorge.
Enhanced dinner - there was no hot lunch again - but this is already familiar :)

Do you want to end this torment? FOR ANY MONEY!? For any - no need, enough 5000 rubles. And a snowmobile will come for you and take you through the pass to the city of Kirovsk.Calling a snowmobile if you want to leave the route is not included in the price of the trip.

Day 7

The longest pass of the route - Kukisvuchorr. The transition will take more than one hour, the pass take-off is not very noticeable, the descent is gentle, but it blows strongly. But we have been in the mountains for a week now, we are accustomed to overcoming difficulties. Also, the cards of cameras and the strength to admire the surrounding beauty are finally running out.

Exit to Kirovsk. At the sight of the city, there is an understanding that a shower is what you need :) We reach the stop, get on the transport and find ourselves in civilization. If we manage to rent an apartment, we will settle on a budget. Shops, warmth, discussion of the hike.

Day 8

This is a spare day. Departure home is possible after 20:00.

Those who do not want to leave can rent an apartment in Kirovsk or Apatity and go skiing, visit the largest snow cave, rent a snowmobile or .... Think for yourself!

Tell your friends!

In order for tourists to assess the degree of their readiness for the passage of a particular route, it is customary in sports tourism to classify hikes according to the level of difficulty. Bringing tourist routes to certain standards is a necessary measure in sports tourism, as well as in the hotel business and in other areas of life. If, when choosing a means of accommodation, a tourist can have an idea of ​​the level of comfort and service referring to the number of stars assigned to the hotel, then in sports tourism a classification of tours is adopted, as well as a classification that assesses the complexity of the route.

Tour classification:

Rest on stationary objects of tourism in the natural environment and without active hikes. An example of such objects are camp sites, shelters, hotels.

Excursion and educational tourism in the natural environment, which does not imply active hikes.

Children and youth, which in turn is divided into:

Rest without active hikes in children's health camps (DOL);

labor camps;

Sightseeing;

With active routes.

4. Active mass sports tourism, carried out on routes of I-III category of complexity.

5. Extreme sports tourism, carried out on routes of IV-V category of complexity.

6. Extreme, exotic tourism, which includes expeditions and tours to hard-to-reach areas. Tours and routes of V-VI category of complexity.

Classification of routes by difficulty is carried out on the basis of the Rules for conducting tourist sports trips and the Unified All-Russian Sports Classification of Tourist Routes. Hiking for different types of tourism, namely hiking, skiing, mountain, water, caving, automobile, cycling, motorcycle, sailing and horse riding are divided into weekend hikes, hikes of I, II and III degrees of difficulty (used in youth tourism), as well as I, II, III, IV, V and VI categories of complexity. The criteria for assigning one of these categories to a tourist route is the length, duration, difficulty of overcoming, novelty, technical difficulties and a number of other criteria that arise when passing the route. In ascending order of these indicators, the degree or category of complexity increases. All hikes that do not correspond to the I category of difficulty by the length or duration of the route are non-categorical (weekend hikes, I, II, III degree of difficulty).

Weekend hikes are hikes that last from one to three days. The organizers of weekend trips are usually amateur tourists, tourist clubs, sections.

Classification of routes according to the degree of difficulty (used in youth tourism) 7

Based on the data given in the table, we can conclude that the degree of difficulty is not assigned to the routes of motorcycle, caving and car tourism. This is due to the specifics of youth tourism, which does not imply the participation of children in these types of tourism.

The category of complexity is determined on the basis of such indicators as defining obstacles, duration, length and other factors that are characteristic of a particular type of tourism (area, elevation change, etc.).

The defining obstacles that may be encountered on the route are divided into local and extended ones.

Local obstacles are obstacles that have a small extent. Local obstacles require tourists to overcome it with an appropriate level of technical skill, and, as a rule, the use of special equipment. Local obstacles include ridge traverses, passes, rapids, peaks, caves, etc.

Extended obstacles - much more significant in length than local obstacles, require tourists to spend a lot of physical strength, as well as a set of knowledge necessary to overcome them. Extended obstacles are widely represented in hiking, skiing, sailing routes.

To assign a category of difficulty to a route, it is compared with a reference route. The reference route has the minimum allowable number of defining obstacles necessary to classify it as one of the difficulty categories.

For each category of difficulty, minimum values ​​for the duration and length of the route are determined, but in reality they may undergo slight changes. So, for example, the length of the route can be reduced, but not more than 25% in case of an increase in the number of defining obstacles on the route.

The minimum values ​​for the duration and length of the route, corresponding to a particular category of difficulty. eight

To assign a category of difficulty to a route, it is necessary to take into account not only the number of days spent on the hike and the distance traveled, but also the complexity of passes, rivers, caves and other obstacles. To do this, in sports tourism there is a concept of a category of difficulty, which is determined by what level of physical fitness and skill is required from tourists for the safe passage of an obstacle.

In mountain tourism, 6 semi-categories are accepted, according to which it is possible to determine the difficulty of passes, peaks and traverses:

1A is the simplest category, requiring the simplest individual movement technique from tourists, the overcoming time is several hours. There are usually trails on the approaches to the obstacle, as this category is more popular and suits more tourists than subsequent categories.

1B - requires the simplest collective technique, the total time to overcome does not exceed 1 day.

2A - more complex individual and collective equipment, requires more specialized equipment. Overcoming time is not more than a day.

2B - it is necessary to master all the most common techniques, skills to work with more complex safety systems. Obstacles of this category are characterized by steep rocky, snowy and ice slopes, overnight stays in the glacial zone and on the pass are possible. It will take more than a day to overcome such obstacles.

3A - requires tourists to use a variety of techniques and methods of movement, insurance on long sections of the path. It is usually necessary to carry out preliminary reconnaissance. Overnight stays in the glacial zone are inevitable, with the need to prepare water from snow. The time to overcome such obstacles is up to 2 days.

3B is the highest category of difficulty. Tourists are required to have continuous insurance for many hours and even days, excellent knowledge of equipment. It may be necessary to organize sit-down or hanging bivouacs. Overcoming obstacles of this category takes at least 2 days.

In speleological tourism, according to the List of classified and reference tourist sports routes and obstacles, the complexity of the caves is determined by 10 categories:

1 - caves, the total depth of which is from 20 to 100 meters. For the passage of caves of the 1st category of difficulty, a small amount of specialized equipment is required. The depth of the wells should not exceed 40 m. The wells, in most cases, are dry and not difficult to pass. Category 1 caves are suitable for tourists who are just starting to caving. In horizontal caves there should be obstacles: narrowness, areas of easy climbing or flooded areas. Travel time from 2 to 6 hours.

2A - the depth of the caves is 40 - 180 meters. Small watering of wells is allowed, but without strong watercourses. Travel time - 3-8 hours.

2B - the depth of the caves of this category is from 150 to 300 meters. As in the previous category, a slight watering of wells is allowed. More obstacles. The passage time is 6-10 hours.

3A - caves, the depth of which is 180 - 360 meters. Wells can be heavily watered. In horizontal caves there are small siphons (tunnels filled with water), for the passage of which the use of autonomous breathing apparatus is necessary. Travel time from 10 to 20 hours.

3B - the total depth of the caves of this category of difficulty is from 320 to 550 meters. The number of obstacles is greater than in category 3A. Travel time - 20-30 hours.

4A - caves of vertical and mixed type, the depth of which is 420 - 550 meters. To pass caves of this category of complexity, it is required to organize a rest point on the route or an underground camp. There are areas of difficult climbing. The time required to pass the cave is 3-4 days.

4B - differs from the previous category in the presence of more obstacles, as well as the depth of the caves, which is 500-700 meters. The transit time is 4-5 days.

5A - the depth of the caves is from 600 to 900 meters. The presence of many various obstacles, the passage of which will take 5-10 days. Installation of underground camps is required.

5B - caves, the depth of which is from 800 to 1100 meters. This category of difficulty includes the presence of difficulties that were encountered in the previous categories. To pass, you need to install several underground camps. The transit time is 10-20 days.

6 - the depth of the caves exceeds 1100 meters. The entire arsenal of tactical and technical skills and abilities is required to pass the cave. The transit time is over 15 days.

The classification of routes allows you to avoid mistakes when forming a group of tourists going on a hike. Based on the difficulty category of the upcoming hike, the required amount of specialized equipment and equipment is selected, which will be required to complete the route.

1.2.4. Formation of a tourist group, preparation for an amateur hike

For a good organization of the trip, a detailed study of the route, the selection of optimal equipment, and the acquisition of a tourist group are necessary. The group should be selected according to the level of preparation of tourists, age, psychological characteristics of the participants in the trip. The number of participants should not be too large, but even groups that are too small in size cannot always solve the goals facing the team on a hiking trip. The optimal number of participants in the trip is 6 - 12 people. It is desirable that tourists who go hiking have similar interests.

To improve the quality of a tourist trip, it is recommended to share powers between tourists. Thus, it is possible to significantly save human resources, as well as determine the scope of responsibility of each participant in the campaign.

The main roles should include:

The leader of the group is the main and integral role in any trip. The responsibility of the head of the tourist group is to comply with the time frame for the passage of the route, maintain a favorable climate in the group, and ensure the safety of each tourist. The group leader must be a respected person in the team, have a large set of theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of hiking. Additional requirements for a person holding the role of a group leader include: knowledge of the basics of pedagogy, psychology, age physiology, as well as the ability to provide first aid.

The navigator is the second person in the tourist team after the group leader. Responsible for the development of the route and the passage of the group along it. The navigator must have skills in working with maps, know topographical symbols, be able to use a compass and GPS navigation, and also navigate the terrain. In small tourist groups, this role is taken by the leader of the group.

Medic - refers to the roles without which the conduct of hiking trips is highly undesirable, and sometimes completely impossible. The doctor must have the skills to provide medical care, know the health characteristics of each of the participants in the hiking trip, having previously held individual consultations with each of them. This role assumes knowledge of the properties of all medicines in the first aid kit.

Head of food supply - the head of food supply is responsible for the formation of the menu, the purchase of products and catering. During the campaign, the chief food officer must know what products this or that team member is carrying.

Zavsnar - the main work of the equipment manager is carried out at the stage of preparation for the campaign. Preparation of the necessary, in accordance with the goals of the trip, equipment, the distribution of equipment among the backpacks of the team members in accordance with the capabilities of each of them.

Remmaster - the role involves the repair of equipment and equipment of participants directly during the trip, must have a set of necessary tools with him. The roles of the remaster and the manager are very close to each other, so very often both of these roles are played by one member of the team.

Nachfin - the head of finance manages the public treasury, pays for services that can be provided to a group of tourists during the trip (travel, visiting excursions, etc.)

Photographer and chronicler - roles that allow you to capture the emotions of tourists on film, as well as in writing. It is the presence of these roles that allows you to remember the time spent on the campaign, many years later.

All these roles can be somehow combined with each other, depending on the size, as well as on the skills of the group members.

At the preparation stage, special attention should be paid to the preparation of equipment. According to their purpose, group and personal tourist equipment are distinguished.

Group equipment:

1. A tent is one of the most important items of equipment. It is the tent that for some time becomes a home for tourists. The choice of tent must be approached based on the goals that are pursued in the upcoming campaign. If you are planning a trip that does not involve overnight stays in adverse conditions, then it is enough to take a trekking tent with you, the undoubted advantage of which is its weight. Expedition tents are able to withstand wind and rain, suitable for spending the night in the forests. Another type of tents - assault. These tents are suitable for spending the night in difficult mountain hikes, withstand adverse weather conditions, but are significantly heavier than other types of tents. Assault tents have a system of detachable walls, which allows the tourist to independently regulate the temperature in the tent.

2. Boilers for cooking. For a comfortable hike, you need to take 2 boilers with you. One of which will be designed for cooking, the second for boiling water for tea and coffee. The volume of boilers should be calculated depending on the number of tourists going on a hike. For cooking, you need a cauldron of 500 ml per person, a cauldron for boiling water - 300 ml per person.

3. Kitchen utensils. To meet the needs of the tourist team should include: a knife, a ladle, a cutting board, a can opener, a sponge for washing dishes, a metal sponge for washing boilers.

4. Repair kit. It is selected depending on the goals that are pursued in the campaign, but the minimum set should include: glue, thread with a needle, rope, wire.

Personal equipment:

1. Backpack. When choosing a backpack, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that it contributes to the most comfortable stay of the tourist on the way. The straps of a tourist backpack should be adjusted depending on the height of the tourist, it is necessary to have a belt that takes the load off the shoulders and transfers it to the legs. Depending on the goals and duration of the trip, the volume of the backpack is selected, which is measured in liters.

2. Sleeping bag. Must match the season. When choosing a sleeping bag, you must be guided by the minimum and maximum temperature conditions, which are indicated by the manufacturer.

3. Karimat or polyurethane foam mat.

4. Flashlight. Should be selected taking into account the goals and characteristics of the campaign. For example, to participate in a speleological hike, you need a headlamp in order to free your hands.

The need to introduce the concept of complexity in mountaineering appeared when climbing mountains went beyond a very narrow circle of fans of extreme sensations. More people are climbing mountains. This required the classification of routes and the introduction of a quality assessment system, on the basis of which the training of instructors and the assignment of ranks in mountaineering takes place.

Climbing categories of difficulty and categories of difficulty in mountainous areas are officially established standards that have changed little since the Soviet era. Already by that time, enough information had been collected to classify more than 2,000 routes in the mountainous regions of the USSR. Based on these data, a system was developed that is still used in all post-Soviet countries.

Difficulty factors

When assessing the complexity of routes, several factors are taken into account:

• length and location of difficult sections;
• top height;
• route length;
• steepness of rise;
• transit time;
• features of meteorological conditions.

Difficult fates for passing are evaluated according to the following factors:

• relief;
• steepness;
• the nature of protrusions, cracks, etc.;
• number and usefulness of leads;
• the possibility of passing with a backpack;
• lifting method;
• the best way to descend;
• the amount of special equipment needed;
• use of technical methods.

According to the relief, the routes are divided into:

• rocky;
• combined (ice-snow-rocky).

Sometimes ice-snow routes are distinguished as a separate species. However, there is no practical expediency in this: they can be attributed to the combined subspecies.

The methodology for estimating the complexity of the route takes into account the whole complex of the above factors.

Categories of site difficulty

The sites are ranked according to their complexity into 7 categories:

IA - very light

The angle of elevation is up to 20°, does not require special equipment and equipment.

I - light

Ice-snow relief with an elevation angle of up to 30° or gently sloping rocks. Climbing boots, an ice ax and, just in case, a rope for insurance are needed.

II - simple

Ice-snow relief with an elevation angle of up to 35° or gently sloping rocky areas. Walking with support on hands, equipment - the same as in I.

III - medium

Ice-snow relief with an elevation angle of up to 45°, inclusions of rock formations, ledges or gently sloping slabs, along which confident movement is possible. Climbing is carried out by free climbing with the help of hands. The use of cats is suggested. The need for insurance is growing: carabiners, hammers, hooks, ropes, etc.

IV - above average

Ice-snow terrain up to 55°, rocky terrain with a limited number of possible holds. It is overcome on crampons, cutting down steps in a frozen base. On the rocks - free climbing. It is possible to pass with a backpack. Descent on a rope by rappel or in a sports way. Equipment similar to III.

V - difficult

Ice-snow relief with an elevation angle of more than 50°, for passage it is required to create artificial support points, cut down steps. Rocky terrain with a steep ascent, ledges and holds are inconvenient, their number is limited; is carried out by creating artificial supports in the cracks of the rock. Rising with a backpack is extremely difficult and often impossible. Hook insurance is used. You need excellent physical fitness, skills in choosing the best route and method of movement. Descent down - rappel. The equipment is complete.

VI - very difficult

Vertical smooth rock formations with a minimum number of cracks and protrusions that can be used to stabilize the position of the climber's body by forming artificial supports and insurance. Requires solid mountaineering experience. The equipment is complete.

Route difficulty categories

To assess the difficulty of passing, in addition to the considered characteristics of the sections, a classification of routes by difficulty is used, which includes 11 categories.

1A

• Mountains up to 4.5 km high, loose rock, including stones and grass.
• Correspond to the category of difficulty IA with the inclusion of short sections of category I.

1B

• Combined or rocky relief of mountains up to 5 km high.
• The composition of the route: IA, I, short distances of the II category.

2A

• Rocky or combined up to 6 km.
• The minimum length of the ascent is 0.5 km.
• The composition of the route: IA, I, with sections up to 100 m long ice-snow or up to 20 m rocky reliefs II.

2B

• Combined or rocky terrain up to 6 km.
• Route structure: IA, I, with sections from 80 meters of ice-snow or from 30 meters of rocky reliefs II, up to 30 m of ice-snow and up to 3 m of rocky sections III.
• Insurance: up to 2 hooks.

3A

• Rocky or combined terrain up to 6.5 km.
• The length of the ascent is from 0.5 km.
• The composition of the route: I, II, with sections up to 200 m long of ice-snow or 20 m of rocky relief III.
• Insurance: up to 5 hooks.
• Duration - from 4 hours.

3B

• Combined or rocky terrain up to 6.5 km.
• Route composition: I, II, with sections up to 300 m of ice-snow or 30 m of rocky reliefs III, up to 100 m of ice-snow and up to 8 m of rocky sections IV
• Insurance: up to 8 hooks.
• Duration - from 5 hours.
• Traverses: 2 or more routes 3rd cat., as many routes 1-2 cat.

4A

• Rocky or combined relief up to 7 km.
• The length of the ascent is from 0.6 km.
• The composition of the route: II, III, with sections longer than 200 m of ice-snow or up to 50 m of rocky terrain IV.
• Insurance: up to 20 hooks.
• Duration - from 6 hours.
• Traverses: 5 or more routes 3A, 3 or more - 3B.

4B

• Combined or rocky terrain up to 7 km.
• The length of the ascent is from 0.6 km.
• The composition of the route: II, III, with sections longer than 300 m of ice-snow or up to 80 m of rocky terrain IV or up to 5 m of relief V.
• Insurance: 10 or more hooks.
• Duration - from 8 hours.
• Traverses: 2 or more routes 4A.

5A

• Rocky or combined terrain up to 7.5 km.
• The length of the ascent is from 0.6 km.
• The composition of the route: I, II, III, IV, with sections longer than 300 m of ice-snow or up to 40 m of rocky reliefs V.
• Insurance: up to 40 hooks.
• Duration - from 10 hours.
• Traverses: 2 or more routes 4B, 1 route 4A, any number of routes 1-3 cat.

5 B

• Combined or rocky terrain up to 7.5 km.
• The composition of the route: III, IV, with sections longer than 50 m of rocky relief, more than 600 m of ice relief V, up to 5 m of rocky sections VI.
• Insurance: 30 or more hooks.
• Duration - from 15 hours.
• Traverses: 2 or more routes 5A.

6A, B

• Rocky or combined relief from 3.5 km.
• The length of the ascent is from 0.7 km.
• Route composition: IV, V, with sections over 20 m VI.
• Insurance: 100 or more hooks.
• Duration - from 40 hours.
• Traverses: 3 or more routes 5B, one of them is wall.

To classify the route as category 6B, an expert opinion is required, a recommendation from the commission on new routes, confirmed by the decision of the Mountaineering Federation.

Foreign systems for assessing difficulty in mountaineering

Other countries have their own assessment systems that are comparable and adequate to the categories used in our country. For example, the American system of categories in mountaineering involves a comprehensive consideration of several factors of difficulty:

• the time of the ascent by the average team (6 levels);
• complication of free climbing on the main site (2 dozen variants);
• complication of passing with artificial support points (5 levels).

Each ascent is described by three indicators separated by commas (eg: III, 5.5, A1).

The British mountaineering grading system operates with letter codes. Difficult levels are described by the letter E and the corresponding number (from E1 to E10). The Alpine classification is similar to the British one: it has a lower categorical gradation, the letters ED and the numbers that determine the difficulty are assigned to super-difficult levels (eg: ED1, ED4, etc.). The Canadian system uses factors such as length, danger, difficulty for evaluation.

A separate classification is used to assess the difficulty of ice ascents. It is based on an analysis of the following factors:

• ice quality;
• slope in degrees;
• availability of places for recreation;
• route length;
• the presence of complicating factors (icicles, exfoliating ice, etc.)

This is an informative article in which we will talk about the categories of difficulty of hiking. It should be noted that the categories of complexity of the routes are inherent in sports tourism when it comes to accomplishments and victories. If you go to the mountains just for the soul, then categorical hikes have nothing to do with you.

- Weekend hikes. This category includes everything that does not fall under the classification of categories from the first to the sixth. Tourists on the forums joke that everything that is lower in complexity of the first category and higher than the sixth can be called a weekend hike. A weekend hike is, on the one hand, already a real multi-day hike, which can be reported to the Ministry of Emergency Situations; on the other hand, you yourself are free to develop the route of such a trip, adjusting the comfort of the transitions for yourself.

In fact, few people fit into the minimum number of days. Usually routes of the first category of complexity are passed in eight days, because if you try to meet the six-day period, then you need to cover more than twenty kilometers per day.

In mountain hikes, the mileage in each category is less, but passes of a certain complexity are added. The difficulty of the passes varies from the first to the third category, and each category is also divided into subcategories - A and B. And if the pass 1A requires self-belaying skills, which are quite easy to acquire by visiting the mountain section, then the pass of difficulty 2A requires a team passage, and 3B is already extreme for an amateur. In water and ski trips, the mileage in each category is somewhat greater than on foot, due to the higher speed of their passage.

It is important to understand that sports tourism is a sport, even if this type of it is not classified as an Olympic sport, and bookmakers do not accept bets on it. Therefore, complex categorical hikes are not recreational trips to enjoy nature, but real team sports competitions, in which there are a number of serious requirements for the physical form of the tourist and his equipment.