Kula Academy Hiking Event Classifications

Understanding your fitness level and knowing whether a trip is right for you can be difficult to judge. To help with this, the Kula Academy has created a scale to help you compare your current exercise regimen and fitness to the recommended levels of fitness for the trip.

Please use the following scale to determine your readiness for our programs. You can find the recommended level of physical fitness on the trip description and on your trip waiver.

We understand that everyone is different and that it is difficult to judge fitness levels. These standards have been created as suggestions to help you determine your fitness for a trip so that we can provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all of our participants.

Level 1

• You exercise occasionally but not every week. You like to get outside a few times per month for some solid exercise.
• Your favorite hikes are a mile or two on flat terrain with established trails.

Level 2

• You exercise for about an hour twice a week, or for a total of roughly two hours weekly.
• Within the last year, you have hiked up to 8 miles in a day with a light daypack.
• If you are going backpacking, you feel comfortable carrying an overnight pack for about 5 miles per day.

Level 3 

• You exercise 3-4 times per week for more than an hour, or roughly 6 hours total per week. Occasionally you get a full 6-8 hour day of physical activity.
• Within the last year, you have hiked up to 11 miles on wilderness trails with up to 3,000 feet of elevation gain carrying a light pack.
• If you are going on a backpacking trip, within the last year, you have hiked up to 9 miles per day with 1,500 of elevation gain while carrying an overnight pack for multiple nights.

Level 4

• You exercise 5-6 times per week, often for over 3 hours. It’s safe to say you get a minimum of 10 hours of exercise per week – and make time for an adventure of 6-8 hours at least twice a month.
• Within the last year, you have hiked between 12-14 miles on wilderness trails with up to 3,000 feet of elevation gain. And you’re comfortable carrying an overnight pack to do it.
•  Within the last year, you have hiked on steep, rugged terrain with an elevation gain of up to 5,000 feet while carrying a light pack.

Level 5

• You have a daily training regimen. You exercise 5-7 times per week sometimes for more than 6 hours. You easily get 15 hours of exercise per week.
• You regularly put in 8-12 hour days of activity or participate in strenuous mountain activities 2-3 times per week plus other exercise.
• Your favorite adventures are up to 16 miles per day with 4,000 feet of elevation gain with an overnight pack.
•  You prefer steep off trail, uneven and rugged terrain with an elevation gain of up to 6,000. You’re not afraid of exposure of 30-300 feet that could result in injury or death.