The following conditions are an integral part of the contract between you as client and Sarah Clark/Swiss Alpine Hiking.
These recently updated conditions are valid for all registrations made on or after 16.10.2023. For anyone who completed a registration form before 16.10.2023 (whether for a hike in 2023 or in 2024), the previous Terms and Conditions, including cancellation conditions, still apply.
Programme
The programme, itinerary and cost are as described on the corresponding webpage or in the corresponding flyer. Unless specified, the costs of transport, insurance, lunches and drinks are not included.
For reasons of safety (including risks due to unexpected problems on the route, bad weather or participants’ capabilities) or force majeure, I reserve the right to modify the programme. Claims for damages because of a programme change are excluded.
Liability
For all hikes, good health, a fitness level matched to the planned programme, and appropriate equipment are required. By registering, you confirm that you will meet the physical and technical requirements for the hike. It is also your responsibility to inform me if you have any physical or mental health conditions that might affect your capacity during the hike/trip. If any of these requirements are not met, or if I feel at any time that your participation jeopardizes the group’s or your own safety, I reserve the right to exclude you from the hike/trip. In the event of such exclusion, no reimbursement will be made.
Your security is my priority. However, I cannot guarantee absolute safety given the natural risks inherent in hiking in the mountains, which are always present despite careful planning and guiding. When you reserve your trip, you explicitly recognize and accept these risks.
Insurance
You should be appropriately insured for illness, accident, emergency evacuation from the mountains (recommended), and civil liability. I also strongly recommend that you conclude a cancellation insurance for your trip.
As legally required, I have a professional civil liability insurance covering amounts up to CHF 10 million.
Payment
For multi-day trips with accommodation included, I may request a deposit, in particular if I have had to pay in advance for overnight stays. In all cases, full payment should be made by the date specified in my invoice and at the latest by 15 days before the start of the trip.
Cancellations and reimbursements
I may have to cancel a trip before or at the registration deadline because there is an insufficient number of bookings. In this case, you will be fully reimbursed any amounts already paid. An alternative arrangement may be proposed as an option, e.g. a shorter trip or the planned trip at a higher cost.
If I am unable to lead your hiking trip for unexpected reasons (e.g. injury/illness, death of a close relative), I will do everything possible to ensure that another qualified Mountain Leader takes my place. If this is not possible, and the trip is cancelled after the registration deadline, you will be fully reimbursed but will not be entitled to additional compensation.
If, for reasons of safety or force majeure, I need to modify a programme and the proposed alternative costs less than the planned itinerary, you will be reimbursed the amount of any savings (unused overnight stays, meals, etc.).
There is no penalty if you cancel your participation in a multi- or single-day hike before the registration deadline. From the registration deadline onwards, the following costs apply to cancellations for multi-day hikes:
- from the registration deadline until 31 days before the start of the trip: 30% of the full cost
- 30–21 days before the start of the trip: 50%
- 20–11 days before the start of the trip: 80%
- 10–0 days before the start of the trip: 100%
For single-day hikes, cancellation after 20.00 on the Thursday evening preceding the hike incurs a cancellation fee of 100%.
Jurisdiction
In the event of a dispute, Lausanne, Vaud, shall be the place of jurisdiction and Swiss law shall apply.
Sarah Clark, 16.10.2023