Booking Terms – Guided Walks & Activities

Important – please read the Booking Terms & Conditions Below

The Hill & Mountain Environment:
Hill and mountain walking are adventurous activities with a risk of personal discomfort, accident, injury or death. Part of the attraction of valley, hill and mountain walking is the challenge of tackling different terrains, landscapes and weather conditions; indeed, risk is often an integral part of the activity. Every effort is made to minimise potential risks & hazards; however, the very nature of valley, hill and mountain walking involves a certain level of inherent and unavoidable risk of personal discomfort, accident, injury or death. The most common accident and/or injury in the outdoors include slips, trips and falls, as well as personal injury such as blisters, strained muscles, scratches & stings, sunburn, getting cold and varying degrees of personal discomfort due to weather/ground conditions (these are just examples, not an exhaustive list). Of course, more serious accidents/injuries may occur due to the natural environment (steep, uneven, rocky, wet, slippery ground), personal health issues and extreme weather conditions. By taking part in this activity, you are aware of and accept these risks.

Terrain:
All walks will involve a varying degree of uneven and rough terrain, muddy/rocky/wet ground, fields, riverside, woodland, remote open country, high ground, hills, moorland and mountainous terrain, steep ground, stiles, stream crossings, roads and lanes, farms and livestock as well as a number of ascents/ descents, some of which may be steep and sustained. We may also encounter adverse weather conditions on the walk, as well as darkness and/or poor visibility.

Potentially Strenuous Activity:
Walking and outdoor activities can be strenuous. Never underestimate the strenuous nature of walking particularly when this is combined with the natural environment, hill and mountainous terrain and the elements.

Personal Responsibility:
Adrian Conchie and (if applicable) his freelance Mountain Leaders (Walk Leaders) accept no responsibility for personal accidents or injury or for loss or damage to personal effects unless caused by their negligence as Walk Leaders. We strongly recommend you have adequate personal insurance cover for accident or injury, as well as travel insurance in case of cancellation.

Safety:
All participants must take heed of any safety information, guidance or hazard warnings given by the Walk Leader during the pre-walk briefing or whilst on the walk.

Non Participation:
The Walk Leader reserves the right to refuse to accept a participant on a walk (‘non participation’) whom they consider will be unable to complete the planned activity, whose pre-existing medical condition(s) and/or fitness makes it unsafe to take part, is wearing unsuitable clothing or footwear, ignores direct safety instructions from the Walk Leader or whose language and/or behaviour falls below an acceptable standard that causes offence to other group members or puts others within the group at risk. If a participant chooses to leave the organised group at any time during the walking activity and makes it clear or obvious that they are leaving the organised group, then the Walk Leader ceases to have any responsibility or liability for that participant with immediate effect. The decision to refuse to accept a participant lies solely with the Walk Leader. There are no refunds for non participation.

Fitness and Experience:
Most of our walks require no previous hill-walking experience as full guidance will be given, however, a reasonable level of fitness and ability is required as the natural environment can be demanding at times. Walks are ‘pitched’ according to the experience, average fitness levels of the group, ground and weather conditions; the Walk Leader will always strive to adapt walks as much as is reasonably possible to match the fitness and ability of group members through adaptive and dynamic route choice and risk assessments. Mountain walks, wild camping expeditions & challenge walks require a good level of fitness and stamina.

Footwear:
All participants must provide suitable outdoor footwear, preferably walking boots, with sturdy soles, good tread and ankle support.

Alcohol & Smoking:
We operate a no alcohol and no smoking policy during the activity.

Payments:
Full payment is required prior to the walk to secure your booking.

Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations and refunds must be requested and confirmed in writing by email, text or post. Cancellations are subject to the following refunds:

From 15 days from date of booking up to and including 31 days before the walk:
75% refund of the cost of the walk.

From 30 days before the walk up to and including 15 days before the walk:
50% refund of the cost of the walk.

From 14 days before the walk up to and including 8 days before the walk:
25% refund of the cost of the walk.

From 7 days before the walk up to the day of the walk, (including notification on the day of the walk or non attendance of the walk):
No refund

We strongly recommend you have adequate travel insurance in case of cancellation.

Cancellation by Adrian Conchie:
The walk may be cancelled by the Adrian Conchie/Walk Leader at any time prior to the walk due to illness of the Walk Leader, Government advice or law (for example, Covid-19), adverse weather conditions or forecast or any other force majeure. The decision to cancel the walk lies solely with the Walk Leader. We recommend you have adequate travel insurance in case of cancellation.

Change during the walk:
The pre-planned routes may be subject to change whilst on the walk due to safety, adverse weather conditions, pace of the group, fitness and ability levels, accidents or injuries etc. In extreme circumstances the walk may be terminated. Once the walk has commenced then any such changes to the preplanned walk are deemed to be part of the walk. The decision to change or terminate the walk lies solely with the Walk Leader.

All walks are subject to availability. These Terms and Conditions must be read in conjunction with the Consent Form or relevant webpage on our website, which gives more details of the chosen activity. Please note that any agreement between us will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales and, by booking a walk with us, you agree to this and submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.  Adrian Conchie is a qualified Walk Leader and Mountain Leader, and holds a current Outdoors First Aid certificate as well as Public and Civil Liability Insurance.