An acknowledgement of the inherent hazards of remote mountain travel and the risks each participant accepts voluntarily.
This policy forms part of the booking framework. Your booking confirmation may add trip-specific dates, prices, inclusions or requirements.
Trekking, mountaineering, climbing, glacier travel, camping, road travel and travel in remote high-altitude regions involve hazards that cannot be removed without changing the nature of the journey. Careful planning, experienced guides and conservative decisions reduce risk, but they cannot make the activity risk-free.
This page is an important risk disclosure and part of your booking. We may also ask for a separate signed waiver, medical declaration or activity-specific acknowledgement before departure.
The risks include foreseeable and unforeseeable events, and they may cause delay, loss of property, illness, permanent disability or death.
This list is illustrative, not complete. A minor problem in a town can become serious when the team is several days from a road or a medical facility.
By accepting a booking and taking part, you confirm that you have read the itinerary and the risk information, asked questions where you needed to, and understand that plans can change and objectives may not be reached.
You confirm that the decision to take part is voluntary and based on your own assessment, and that you are responsible for getting the medical, insurance, legal and technical advice that suits your situation.
To the fullest extent the law permits, you knowingly accept the inherent risks of the booked activities, the ordinary risks of remote travel, and the risks that come from your own acts, omissions, health, equipment or failure to follow instructions.
You also accept that guides sometimes have to make urgent decisions with incomplete information. A decision to turn back, descend, evacuate or change the route can be made before a danger becomes certain.
To the fullest extent the law permits, you release Great Adventure (SMC-Private) Limited, its directors, employees, guides, field staff and agents from claims that arise solely from an inherent risk you accepted, your own conduct, or the independent conduct of a third party outside our reasonable control.
Nothing here excludes or limits liability where the law does not allow it, including liability for fraud or deliberate misconduct. Any limitation applies only so far as it is lawful and reasonable.
We are not liable for indirect or consequential loss, loss of enjoyment, loss of opportunity or business loss arising from a booking, except where the law says otherwise.
If you cannot give informed instructions, you authorise the leader and our operations team to arrange first aid, medical assessment, evacuation, transport or other help they reasonably believe is necessary. This authority does not guarantee that care or evacuation will be available.
You are responsible for the cost of your treatment, rescue, evacuation, repatriation, extra travel and related services, and for making your insurance claim. We may ask for payment security or insurer authorisation where a provider or authority requires it.
You remain responsible for your passport, money, medication, equipment, electronics and baggage. We are not an insurer of personal property and are not responsible for ordinary wear, weather damage, or delay or loss outside our reasonable control.
Airlines, rescue services, hospitals, hotels, carriers and authorities may be independent providers. Their acts, omissions, eligibility decisions and conditions are subject to their own legal duties and terms.
To the extent the law permits, you are responsible for loss, damage, fines, claims or reasonable expense caused by your unlawful conduct, deliberate or reckless act, material misrepresentation or serious breach of instructions. This does not make you responsible for loss caused by our own legally actionable conduct.
Electronic acceptance may be recorded as part of the booking. Where we ask for a signed form, taking part depends on receiving the completed form. A parent or legal guardian must complete any extra documents required for a participant under the age of legal majority.
If part of this waiver cannot be enforced, it is limited only as far as necessary and the rest continues to apply to the fullest extent the law permits.