Scrambling is an activity that falls somewhere in between hiking and climbing. You don't require any protective equipment (i.e. ropes, crampons, etc.) but usually the hands are used to balance on terrain or to ascend almost like an easy form of rock climbing. This activity covers a wide range of terrain, including steep scree and talus slopes, exposed ridges, and cliff bands. Scrambles are graded using the YDS system between Class I, an easy hike and Class V, technical terrain that is essentially rock climbing.

Hiking is a fancy word for walking that is generally done on a dirt/rocky trail in the mountains. It is a relatively safe activity with a wide range of difficulty.

Backpacking is essentially any foot propelled trip involving an overnight stay. One must carry food, water, and all required gear to their sleeping spot, using a large backpack. Often times, a tent is carried and set up at a backcountry campground, but sometimes there is no designated campground, which means that you are random camping. In rare cases, backpacking may involve staying at a hut where a tent is not required. Backpacking can include any kind of travel such as snowshoeing, skiing, and scrambling, but is more commonly done as a hike.

Alpine climbs are routes that must be climbed with specialized gear that is used to to cross glaciers, climb steep snow slopes, or rock climb exposed cliff faces. This activity requires special considerations with regards to safety and technical knowledge of how to use gear. There are a variety of grades that can be used, but we use the French system, which rates climbs from F (facile or easy) to ED (extrêmement difficile or very hard).

Snowshoeing involves using large devices that attach to you shoes to walk in deep snow. Depending on snow conditions, you can walk directly on the surface of the snow without sinking or sink all the way up to your waist. Most snowshoes are made of a combination of metal and plastic, with straps to keep them attached to your boots. Snowshoeing may venture into avalanche terrain.

Bushwhacking is an activity involving walking off trail through vegetation. Route finding and map skills are necessary and the risk of running into wild animals is increased significantly. There will likely be no fellow humans in your area. Individuals usually rate this experience as mildly unpleasant to very unpleasant depending on the length of the journey and thickness of bush.