Before we begin, a quick review of route classifications is in order. Known as the Yosemite Decimal System (although no one ever refers to it as such), the system provides a quick understanding of the difficulty level. When you step outside the flat, easy walking, maintained trails (Class 1), you'll want a reference point to compare with your ability.
Stepping outside a maintained trail and hiking across uneven ground, generally inclined or more difficult walking, is considered Class 2. However, many trails are Class 2 simply because they are not maintained. Class 3 starts when you use your hands to help you climb on rocks or keep balance due to steep inclines or uneven surfaces.
When you read about someone rescued by SARS (Search and Rescue), and it is non-injury related, chances are it is a Class 4 condition. The climber used hands and feet to ascend; however, descending proved too tricky, and falling would result in serious injury. Generally, a hand line, webbing, or rope is required to drop a Class 4 area.
Class 5 is considered rock climbing. Technical aspects of using harness, ropes, belay, and maneuvers are required to ascend and descend. A fall would result in severe injury or death. Class 5 is subdivided into various decimal points (5.1 - 5.15) to further assist the rock climber in understanding the climb's difficulty. [1]
Be mindful when reading information or when a friend says, "I found a great hike; it's 5-star rated by everyone and something about 5.8, whatever that means." Know that it means someone could get seriously hurt unless you are a rock climber.
Finding places to go is easy. However, you'll often face a "paralysis of analysis" about deciding which path to take versus when. So I've listed a few ideas to help you narrow the search and make the adventure more meaningful to you.
First, do what you love. I know that sounds hokey, and frankly, if you don't understand what you love, you are in for a world of adventure. I love peak-bagging, so I start with a search about peaks, my wife Linda loves rockhounding, so she searches for old quarries, mines, or sites where she can find specific rocks, i.e., petrified wood. Next, you can search for a hiking trail near you. Or hot springs. Enjoy spelunking? Finding caves to examine is not as easy as the local hike; however, you'll soon find that websites and social media pages exist for every outdoor activity imaginable. Canyoneering is a relatively new sport that can be both technical (They have a separate classification system) or simply walking through these beautiful narrow canyons.
Second, do you enjoy crowds or a lonely solo walk in the woods? Authors have made a small fortune over the past several pandemic years as cooped up and locked down people began to crave the wide open spaces. Therefore, most books will feature popular hikes in the area covered. These books (of which I own a bunch) will provide great detail regarding the walk, how to find the trailhead, what to bring, expected time of travel, etc., but recognize they are also popular, and you can expect to find others on the trail at the same time.
Less traveled are the routes that have no trail. These routes typically have a destination; however, finding the way to the end is up to you. Peak-bagging, and mountaineering, often have no trail to the summit, and route finding is part of the allure. Armed with a map, compass (GPS), and set out to find a route to the top is a considerable thrill compared to walking down a crowded trail.
"*If happiness is the goal - and it should be, then adventures should be a priority.*" - Unknown
Written August 23, 2022
Reference:
[1] [Understanding Route Grades - ClimbingTechniques.org](http://www.climbingtechniques.org/understanding-route-grades.html#:~:text=The%20Yosemite%20Decimal%20System%20has%205%20classes%20ranging,climbing%20begins%20and%20is%20subdivided%20into%20various%20levels.)