How to Pick a Hike
Something warm on a cold day is welcome
Guests and non-members are welcome on non-exploratory day hikes other than Class IV but their participation must be cleared, in advance, with the trip leader. Please read the following carefully. Some day outings require reservations; most do not.
Difficulty Ratings of Outings
(Ratings are independent of mileage)
Beginners Start with a non-exploratory Class I hike and progress to harder hikes when the Class I hikes become too easy. This class is appropriate for people who have no prior hiking experience or who may have recently moved to the high altitude and dry conditions of New Mexico.
Class I A slow trip, usually on trail, with less than 1000’ elevation gain (1-1.5 miles per hour). Class I+ A trip at a moderate pace (2 miles per hour or less) with less than 1000’ elevation gain.
Class II Elevation gain between 1000 and 2000’ and a pace of 2 miles per hour or less.
Class II+ Elevation gain between 2000 and 3000’ and a pace of 2-3 miles per hour.
Class III Elevation gain over 3000’. Pace 2-3 miles per hour or faster. Leaders may choose this designation at their discretion if trip has unusual difficulties.
Class III+ Extremely long, hard hikes and backpacks, requiring excellent physical condition (e.g., a 12-hour day climbing peaks over 14,000’ ).
Class IV A mountaineering trip that requires use of ice axe and crampons or roping up for protection. Leaders must have a club rating. Leaders may require a rating or comparable experience from participants.
Mileage The above does not consider mileage. You should consider both rating and mileage in selecting a trip.
Exploratory In addition to a Class rating, a trip may be designated with an (Exp) for exploratory. This is a trip that the leader has not done before, or not done recently (in the last five years), or for which the leader is uncertain about some aspect of the proposed route. Participants should be experienced. They should expect that plans may go awry, and they should be prepared to use their emergency gear. See the Ten Essentials elsewhere in the website.
Car Camp You can drive to where you sleep. Bring your own sleeping gear, shelter, and eating utensils. The leader may choose to arrange some group meals. The leader may limit the size of the party or limit it to NMMC members, or impose other limitations based on his/her own best judgment.
Backpack You carry your own eating and sleeping gear and shelter to the campsite, as well as your share of group items. As with car camps, the leader may impose any appropriate limitations. Difficulty may range from Class I to technical climbs. Call the leader for details.