SAC Mountain and Alpine Hiking Scale

GradT1
HikingExample tours

Path / terrain

Requirements

Well-constructed footpath. Where possible, all exposed areas are made secure with fixed cables, railings, etc. The risk of falling can largely be ruled out
with normal behaviour.

None; also possible in trainers. Orientation
without any problems, usually also possible
without a map.

Männlichen - Kleine Scheidegg, Jurahaus hut approach, Cabane Mont
Raimeux and Strada Alta Leventina.

Surefootedness. Proper hiking boots are recommended. Basic orientation skills.

Wildhorn hut, Bergsee hut, Täschhut from Täschalp, Passo Campolungo, Capanna Cristallina fromOssasco.

If marked according to SWW (Swiss footpaths association) standards: Yellow.

T2
Mountain Hiking

Continuous established footpath. Exposed areas
made more secure. Partially steep terrain. Risk offalling not ruled out.
If marked according to SWW standards: White-redwhite.

T3
Difficult Mountain
HikingPath not always obvious / visible. The more exposed Good balance and surefootedness. Mid/highareas can be secured. You may need your hands for top hiking boots are recommended. Averagebalance. Some exposed areas remain, where there is orientation skills. Basic alpine experience.
a risk of falling. Pathless sections over scree or talus.

Forno hut approach, Hohtürli,Sefinenfurgge, Fründen hut approach, Grosser Mythen, Pizzo Centrale from Gotthardpass.

If marked according to SWW standards: White-redwhite.

T4
Alpine Hiking

Occasionally pathless. In certain places you’ll need touse your hands. Some quite exposed terrain, e.g.
steep grass slopes, rock ledges, simple firn fields andminor glacier passages (with little crevasse risk).
If marked according to SWW standards: White-bluewhite.

Experience in exposed terrain. Appropriate,sturdy footwear. Good orientation skills. Alpine
experience. Good preparation: time and weather considerations, ground conditions &group dynamics need to be considered.

Schreckhorn hut, Dossen hut andMischabel hut approaches, traverse
from Voralp hut to Bergsee hut,
Vorder Glärnisch, Steghorn (Leiterli), Piz Terri, Pass Casnile South.

Often pathless. Individual easy climbing secions. ExT5posed, challenging terrain, steep cliffs. Bare glaciers
Difficult Alpine Hikand firn slopes which posed some risk of falling.
ing

Mountaineering boots. Very good terrain
assesment- and orientation skills. Breadth ofalpine experience, also in high alpine terrain.
Basic skills with ice axe, rope and crampons.

Cabane Dent Blanche, Büttlasse,
Salbitbiwak, Sustenjoch Nordflanke,
Bristen, Pass Cacciabella.

Excellent orientation skills. Extensive alpine
experience and strong familiarity with all technical alpine aids (ice axe, rope, crampons,security devices, etc.)

Niesengrat (Fromberghorn Nord),Glärnisch group traverse, Via altadella Verzasca.

If marked: White-blue-white.

T6
Very Difficult Alpine Hiking

Mostly pathless. Grade II scrambling. Often very exposed. Terrain examples: Dangerous talus slopes,rock gullies, steeper sections of snow-free glaciers =increased risk of falling.
Mostly unmarked.

Instructions for use and interpretation
Routes given a grade on the Alpine Hiking Scale (T1-T6) are evaluated assuming favourable conditions, i.e. with good weather and visibility, dry terrain, suitablesnow and firn cover, etc.
"Hikeable" glaciers are understood as: Glaciers and firn which, under normal conditions in summer, are bare of snow to such an extent that any crevasses areclearly recognizable and can be easily bypassed without the risk of falling in (the case on various hut approaches). Under perfect conditions, alpine equipment
may not be required. It goes without saying, however, that basic equipment (ice axe, rope and crampons) and knowledge of how to use them may be required onsuch tours in unfavourable conditions.
A serious misunderstanding, which often leads to delicate situations, is the assumption that the alpine hiking scale (T1-T6) stops where the alpine scale (L, WS,ZS, … AS) begins. In reality, an “Alpine hike” in the upper difficulty range (T5, T6) is usually significantly more demanding than a simple alpine tour with the rating L.
The major difference between an easy alpine tour and a difficult hiking route, is that while steep terrain on an easy alpine tour may be fitted with security aids(bolts, iron bars, etc.) or present natural features with which you can make use of the rope, a T5 or T6 hiking route generally won’t. The corresponding terrainmust therefore be mastered absolutely, requiring good technical skills and a cool head. Examples of exposed terrain include extremely steep grass slopes, pathless craggy terrain with poor rock quality or exposed sections of ridge. Due to the different characteristics of a typical alpine tour and a typical "extreme hike", acomparison can hardly be made, but assume this: A T6 alpine hike will require a similar level of preparation, technical skill, and fitness to a WS alpine tour, i.e.
don’t underestimate it.