What’s Your Gnar Factor?

The Gnar Factor rates the intensity and ruggedness of our volunteer lifeguard operations. Whether you’re looking for something comfy or you’re down for pure gnarliness, this guide helps you prepare for the challenge ahead.

1⭐: Cake

🛌 🚰 🚘 ☀️

Hotel accommodations
Mild–extreme weather
Reliable utilities
High-speed internet, cellular
Comfortable, reliable transport
Travel illness: Rare

2⭐’s: Awesome

🏨 ⛅️ 💧 📱

Hotel/Hostel/Couch-surfing
Mild–extreme weather
Reliable utilities
Reliable internet, cellular/li>
Transport: Cramped at times
Travel illness: Unlikely

3⭐’s: Sicq

👛 ⛺ 🔋 📶

Hostel/Camping
Mild–extreme weather
Semi-reliable utilities
Semi-reliable internet, cellular
Transport: Cramped, semi-reliable
Travel illness: Possible

4⭐’s: Wicked

🏋️ ❌ 🔌 🐛

Camping likely
Mild-Extreme weather
Unreliable utilities
Civil unrest possible
Political imprisonment possible
Slow internet, poor cell service
Transport: Cramped, inconsistent
Travel illness: Likely

5⭐’s: Gnarley

🔥 ⛔ ☠️ ⚠️

No formal accommodations
mild-Extreme weather
Little to no utilities
Urban conflit possible
Political imprisonment possible
Poor/no internet/cell service
Transport: Unreliable, chaotic
Travel illness: Expected

Comparison Chart

Gnar Factor	⭐ Cake	⭐⭐ Awesome	⭐⭐⭐ Sicq	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Wicked	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gnarley
Accommodations	✅ 3-5 Star Hotel	✅ Hotel/Hostel/Couch Surfing	⚠️ Hostel/Camping	⚠️ Camping	❌ Surviving
Utilities	✅ Reliable	✅ Reliable	⚠️ Moderately Reliable	❌ Limited	❌ Unreliable
Connectivity	✅ High-speed	✅ Stable	⚠️ Moderate	❌ Slow	❌ Unreliable
Transportation	✅ Reliable & Comfortable	✅ Reliable & Semi-comfortable	⚠️ Semi-reliable/comfortable	❌ Unreliable	❌ Chaotic
Travel Illness	❌ Rare	❌ Unlikely	⚠️ Possible	✅ Likely	✅ Expected
Political Imprisonment	❌ None	❌ Rare	❌ Unlikely	⚠️ Possible	✅ Likely
Civil Unrest or Urban Conflict	❌ None	❌ Rare	❌ Unlikely	⚠️ Possible	✅ Likely