Conditioning Hikes

Learn more about WBC and start to get in shape for the course!

Are you interested in learning more about the Wilderness Basics Course? Want to start hiking to get in shape? We offer a number of conditioning hikes through the Sierra Club San Diego. Please visit the Sierra Club San Diego's Hiking Calendar. Look for "WBC Conditioning Hike" in the title.

The rating system is a 3-part code describing the difficulty of the outing. The first part, a capital letter, refers to the difficulty of the trip; the second part, a number, states the number of miles that will be traveled (it's the longest day for a multi-day trip); and the last part, another capital letter, refers to the total elevation gain or loss for the day.

Difficulty

E = Easy: Anyone in reasonable condition can do this trip.
M = Moderate: You must be in good shape, but previous hiking experience is not required.
H = Hard: You should have comfortably done a few moderate trips before attempting this. Look carefully at the mileage and elevation gain.
S = Strenuous: Talk about this trip with the leader. A fast pace or other challenges may be involved.

Mileage

This is the number of miles, rounded to the nearest mile, traveled (it's the longest day for a multi-day trip).

Elevation Change

A = less than 500 ft.
B = 500 - 1,000 ft.
C = 1,001 - 2,000 ft.
D = 2,001 - 3,000 ft.
E = over 3,000 ft.
U = Unrated

For Example:

M8C is a moderately difficult day hike which requires going 8 miles (on the longest day for a multi-day trip), and which could climb or descend up to 2,000 ft (in any one day for a multi-day trip).