Bushwacking through brush and plant growth may be necessary in wilderness areas to gain access to a given site. Dale proposed a Brush and Bushwhack rating scale, initially for use in the Cascade mountain range.
Factors affecting a terrain's grade:
(1) presence of covering snow
(2) steepness of grade
(3) need for a mechanical aid (termed "free" if no aid used)
(4) extent, density and type of different brush
Factors affecting impact on bushwhackers:
(1) experience
(2) level of fitness
(3) protective gear (gloves, eye and face, foot covering)
Parameters:
(1) type of brush
(2) mechanical aid
(3) grade of difficulty
|
Parameter |
Finding |
Rating |
|
type of brush |
light |
BW1 |
|
|
moderate, may have patches of heavy brush |
BW2 |
|
|
heavy |
BW3 |
|
|
severe |
BW4 |
|
|
extreme |
BW5 |
|
mechanical aid |
machete or sickle |
BA1 |
|
|
gas-powered weed eater |
BA2 |
|
|
chainsaw |
BA3 |
|
|
chemical defoliant |
BA4 |
|
|
bulldozer |
BA5 |
|
grade of difficulty |
can be done in a few hours |
I |
|
|
takes less than half a day |
II |
|
|
takes most of day |
III |
|
|
full day's work |
IV |
|
|
very difficult, more than 1 day |
V |
|
|
extreme, requiring more than 2 days |
VI |
NOTE: A creek and river crossing scale was also included, but this has been moved to the next section.
Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
