Identified below are the three trip classifications with which AESOP trips are assessed. These classifications are meant to provide context that can assist participants in making informed choices when making their trip preference lists.

*Note: most trips will move through different classifications throughout the trip. The trip will be identified according to when it is most remote, most physically active, or if it is in the backcountry at any point (e.g. if a trip is ever more than 5 miles from a road it will be labeled as a 4 for evacuation access level).  

Evacuation Access Level

• 1 – Standard daily access to emergency services (911, EMS, emergency care). Less than 30 minutes of driving time to nearest emergency care. Reliable cellular service.

• 2 – Greater distance and still reachable by emergency vehicles with longer transport times. Greater than 30 minutes of driving time to the nearest emergency care with potentially more difficult roads and extraction. Generally reliable cellular service. 

• 3 – Road access 0 – 5 miles, some cellular service or reasonable satellite communication for Garmin inReach devices.

• 4 – Remote access. Greater than 5 miles from location to a road accessible by emergency vehicle. Difficult evacuation. Limited or difficult communication

Backcountry Vs. Frontcountry

• Backcountry – No to very limited interaction with modern infrastructure (roads, buildings, running water, electricity, stores, etc.) Backcountry indicates a setting that is remote, undeveloped, and difficult to access.

• Frontcountry – Frontcountry describes an area that is relatively easy to access, has a higher number of visitors, and allows for access to modern infrastructure.

Activity Level

• Low – Does not involve higher physical activity than typical campus life.

• Moderate – Requires some physical activity during some of the day.

• Intermediate – Requires some physical activity during most of the day.

• High – Requires a significant level of physical activity during most of the day

• Highest – Requires a high level of physical activity consistently.