Bushwhacking Classification System

[Neil]

There's a certain amount of interest in bushwhacking on the forums. In order to facilitate communication amongst the 'shwacker community here's a proposed classification of increasing levels of bushwhacking difficulty. Let me know what you think.

Classes of Bushwhacking

Class 1
No real path. Old trails fallen into disuse fit this category. Forest is open, walking is easy with few to no obstacles. There may be any or all of the following features: Distinctive geographical features visible or audible (creek) aid in navigation. Old blazes and/cuttings may be present. Map and compass unnecessary.

Class 2
There is no old trail or man-made features. There are occasional detours around obstacles such as blowdown and hands are occasionally used to push branches away from one’s face but most of the going is easy. Map and compass are consulted occasionally. There may or may not be a distinctive geographical feature visible or audible (creek) to aid in navigation.

Class 3
Views are limited to approx. 10 feet. Detours around, over or under obstacles are frequent. Pauses in order to decide the best route are frequent. Hands are almost constantly in use to push branches away. Care must be taken in placing one’s feet to avoid holes. Compass is in constant use.

Class 4
Very difficult. Members of party must stay close together in order to maintain visual contact. Forward progress is impeded by brush that must be pushed aside in order to advance. Every step is taken with caution as one’s own feet are obscured by foliage. Long sleeves and pants essential to avoid cuts. Compass in constant use. GPS very helpful.

Class 5
*!?&$_)$&*É
Steep uphill through dense cripplebush that requires intense, heroic efforts to advance as much as one foot. Cothes are torn, eyes are gouged, blood may flow, some unstable marriages may not remain intact. Members of party experience episodes of fantasizing about sunny beaches, luxury hotel rooms, 5 star restaurants and the like. Phrases such as, ‘never again’ and ‘whose idea was this?’ frequently heard.

[redhawk]

You forgot class 6: "didn't there used to be sky up there?"

looks pretty good to me otherwise although I would put the long sleeves and pants classification in on class 2 in the dacks.

[DLHiker]

classes

Don't know how to determine the differences b/n classes 3, 4, and 5. Seems like three classes should be sufficient: Easy, Hard, Nightmare.

[Dick]

Although my first thought was that 1,2, and 3 was sufficient, I suppose some might think there's something pretty cool about doing a "class 5" as opposed to only a "class 3" bushwack. Sort of like class 5 rapids. Nevertheless, I think Neil might be on to something here! An interesting response on VFTT suggested that the classification might not hold up outside of the high peaks, and that knowing the classification beforehand might take some of the adventure out of the trip, that not knowing what's ahead (1,2,3,4,5) is a part of the fun of bushwacking.

[redhawk]

Although my first thought was that 1,2, and 3 was sufficient, I suppose some might think there's something pretty cool about doing a "class 5" as opposed to only a "class 3" bushwack. Sort of like class 5 rapids. Nevertheless, I think Neil might be on to something here! An interesting response on VFTT suggested that the classification might not hold up outside of the high peaks, and that knowing the classification beforehand might take some of the adventure out of the trip, that not knowing what's ahead (1,2,3,4,5) is a part of the fun of bushwacking.

Anyone who hikes anywhere without a good idea of what they are in for has no business being in the woods. Period!

[Mavs00]

I posted this on another forum, but will share here too.

Originally posted on VFTT by masshysteria
Perhaps Tim and Brian will offer their opinions on this, but my freshest wack memories of the Basin Amp assault was that the push from the trail to the Amp was a class 4. While the stroll out was a 4.5. I can't honestly give the outbound a 5, because it doesn't fit the criteria of being an uphill climb. Plus the phrases we were muttering were along the lines of;"whose f....ng idea was this!?" Not in exact keeping with the proposed system.

Ever see two rock climbers debating the difficulty of a route?

As mentioned, this is a perfect example of the problem that any clasification system has. I walked (in front) on the same hike as Tom (masshysteria) mentioned to the Amp, and I'd say 5+ all the way. Look,,,,,, if it's so thick, I can't see a steep 20-25 feet sheer drop unitl I'm within inches of falling off it (which happened 5-6 times on that one). it's a 5 in my book. Upslope, sideslope, whatever, those conditions are extreme.

Also, just because it's not steep uphill, shouldn't automatically omit it from the Class 5 catagory. some cross slope traverses in real thick brush (like that one), can be quite a bitc....... I mean pain. How about slides, they are bushwhacks. Thickness and navagation aren't a factor but steepness and exposure sure can be.

Another thing, on another recent bushwhack (Avalanche Mt.) it was alternatly a 2, 3, 4 and on a few brief occasions, a 5. Hell, at one point, I'm pushing through the thickest, nastiest stuff and my son is about 30-40 feet away calling me over. I mash and crash my way over to him, expecting to find more of the same, and SHAZAM, he's sitting there in Snow White's friggin fairytail forest where the trees are all 10 feet apart

My point (as others mentioned) is, the nature of the woods (random) makes a classification system of this sort tough. On a true bushwhack, your not gonna follow my exact prior path anyway, so landmarks, rocks, soil type, vegitation thickness all may vary a bit (in the matter of mere feet no less).

Good concept, just tough to impliment. Perhaps with some refinemt, until then...........I'm good with a "yo, what's the whack up XXX like" ----- "Dude, its like sqeezing yourself through a snowfence".

It's worked so far

[Neil]

Anyone who hikes anywhere without a good idea of what they are in for has no business being in the woods. Period!

The way you can really know what you're in for is to have already gone and done it. And then you still may be in for a surprise.

[redhawk]

I'm good with a "yo, what's the whack up XXX like" ----- "Dude, its like sqeezing yourself through a snowfence".
It's worked so far

I just love it when you talk dirty!!

Did I just say that to Tim??

Yuck....Ptooie...................ANybody got some mouthwash??