Terms & Conditions

RESPONSIBILITY:

Steep Adventures® LLC, its owners, employees, shareholders, affiliated entities, agents, representatives, officers, directors, associates, volunteers, successors, and assigns (collectively, “Steep Adventures®”), which acts only as an intermediary for its suppliers, assumes no responsibility for and cannot be held liable for any negligent or willful act or omission of any supplier, or of any other person or entity. A supplier’s services are subject to the supplier’s own terms and conditions, as well as the local laws and regulations of the relevant country.

Steep Adventures® may contract with independent contractors to provide transportation, guide services, and/or all other related travel services. We assume no responsibility, however caused, for injury, loss, or damage to person or property in connection with any service provided by an independent contractor.

Steep Adventures® assumes no responsibility for the following: Acts of God, detention, annoyance, terrorism, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, strikes, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, discrepancies or change in transit or hotel services over which we have no control.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK:

The participant voluntarily applied to participate in the adventure trip on which he/she is booked, which may involve hiking, camping, kayaking, rafting, climbing, and/or any variety of other outdoor adventure sports (“Adventure Activities”). The participant acknowledges the nature of the adventure activities he/she have chosen to engage in and find no reason why he/she is physically or mentally unable to perform the required actions in order to safely accomplish these activities.

The participant voluntarily agrees to participate in this adventure trip with the knowledge of the numerous physical risks and dangers involved. These risks include but are not limited to: Physical dangers and risks inherent in Adventure Activities; negligence in any manner on the part of Steep Adventures®; emotional trauma; disfigurement; temporary or permanent disability, including paralysis; death; acts of God; the hazards of traveling in remote or unsafe areas or under unsafe conditions; the dangers of civil disturbances and war; forces of nature; transportation failures; equipment failures; accident or illness in remote places without access to medical facilities, transportation, or means of evacuation and assistance; unexpected events; terrorist activities, social or labor unrest; mechanical or construction failures or difficulties; diseases; local laws; climactic conditions; abnormal conditions or developments; or any other actions, omissions, or conditions outside of Steep Adventures®’ control.

The participant assumes full and complete responsibility for checking and confirming any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of each destination and all safety or security conditions at those destinations.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY:

As lawful consideration of, and as part of the payment for, the right to participate in the adventure trip, and as part of the payment for the services arranged for the participant by Steep Adventures®, the participant hereby expressly agree to be responsible for his/her own welfare and assume all of the above risks, including both those known and unknown to him/her.

As lawful consideration of, and as part of the payment for, the right to participate in the program, and as part of the payment for the services arranged for the participant by Steep Adventures®, the participant hereby expressly agrees to release, discharge, and hold harmless forever Steep Adventures®, their owners, employees, shareholders, affiliated entities, employees, agents, representatives, officers, directors, associates, volunteers, successors, and assigns from and against any liability, actions, causes of actions, debts, suits, claims, and demands of any kind and nature whatsoever which I now have or which may hereafter arise out of or in connection with my program or participation in the activities arranged for the participant by Steep Adventures®.

The participant agrees that the terms of this agreement shall serve as a complete release and express assumption of risk for himself/herself, all members of his/her family, and his/her heirs, successors, assigns, and legal representatives. It is the participant's intention to fully assume all risks associated with this adventure trip and to release Steep Adventures® from any and all liability to the maximum extent permitted by law.

VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION:

By registering for a Steep Adventures® trip, the participant acknowledges that he/she has voluntarily applied to participate on this trip and that he/she has read the description of the trip as it appears in the current Steep Adventures® promotional materials. The participant thereby waives any future defenses to a potential breach including, but not limited to, duress or undue influence. The participant attests that it is in full legal capacity to incur these contractual obligations.

BINDING ARBITRATION:

The participant agrees that any dispute concerning, relating or referring to this contract, the brochure, or any other literature concerning my trip, or the trip itself shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in Lancaster, PA, according to the then existing commercial rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceeding will be governed by substantive Pennsylvania law. The arbitrator(s) and not any federal, state, or local court or agency shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability, conscionability, or formation of this contract, including but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this contract is void or voidable.

PAYMENTS, CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS:

We reserve the right to cancel any trip because of our concerns with respect to the safety, health, or welfare of the participants. In the event cancellation is due to a significant event that makes it infeasible for the expedition to begin such as, but not limited to, acts of God, acts of government, weather, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities or the threat thereof, of any kind, epidemics or the threat thereof, Steep Adventures® will attempt to provide the participant with a full refund of monies paid to them, minus any obligations to a third party (ie airline, hotel, or tour operator); except in the event cancellation is due to a significant event that makes it infeasible to operate the expedition as planned, in which case Steep Adventures (in conjunction with the non-profit/charitable organization who contracted Steep Adventures® to plan the adventure trip) will provide the participant with a refund and/or credit toward a future trip equivalent to monies paid to them, minus any obligations to a third party (ie airline, hotel, or tour operator). We will not be responsible for any additional expenses incurred by participant in his/her preparation for the trip (e.g., nonrefundable airline tickets, visa fees, clothing, equipment and medical expenses, etc.).

In the event a participant voluntarily chooses to leave the adventure mid-course, they agree to relinquish any claims towards fees already tendered and waive all rights to services from Steep Adventures® as well as absolving Steep Adventures® of any liability with respect to their safety or health once they leave the adventure. Failure to arrive on the scheduled adventure start date without prior notification will result in a forfeiture of the paid amount.

Cancellation Policy: If you cancel 60 days or more prior to your scheduled departure for this adventure then you will be reimbursed the full cost of this adventure net the non-refundable deposit. If any cancellation is made less than 60 days prior to your scheduled departure for this adventure then you will lose the complete value of your experience. Trip cancellation insurance is the responsibility of the participant.

All flights booked by Steep Adventures® are 100% non-refundable and non-transferrable. Any modifications that must be made are subject to the terms of the ticketed airline.

ITINERARY CHANGES:

The itineraries and staff presented in the promotional materials are subject to modification and change by Steep Adventures®. We reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in our judgment, conditions warrant, or if we deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants. All itineraries are subject to unilateral modifications.

DELAYS & COST INCREASES:

We will not be responsible for providing any reimbursement for delays in the trip due to, but not limited to, bad weather, trail conditions, river levels, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, or acts of god. While we will do everything possible to maintain the listed prices, if it is necessary to levy a surcharge, we reserve the right to do so subject to reasonable notification to the client.

FUNDRAISING COMMITMENT:

By signing the agreement, the participant commits to raising funds on behalf of non-profit/charitable organization for the express use of the defined cause. The cause and amount of the fundraising commitment were determined by non-profit/charitable organization. Any amounts donated over-and-above the targeted fundraising goal will be used to further the cause of non-profit. A report of the results of the adventure fundraising effort will be available and reported to you within a reasonable time of the conclusion of the adventure fundraising period (contingent on the nature of the cause/project supported).

MEDICAL & HEALTH:

The participant certifies that he/she is physically fit and does not have a condition that would limit mobility. Participant further certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. For adventures that take place at higher elevations (above 10,000 feet), participant certifies that he/she does not suffer from a respiratory, cardiac or circulatory disorder. It is vital that anyone with medical issues make them known to us well before departure. We reserve the right in our sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on a trip at any time during the trip due to medical or health considerations.

In the event of removal from a trip, refunds are not given. Hospital facilities or appropriate medical facilities or doctors are often unavailable and evacuation can be prolonged, difficult, and expensive.

We assume no liability regarding provision of medical care. Participants will receive appropriate health information and a Medical Questionnaire to be filled out and returned to us. A doctor's release may be necessary for certain activities or for those suffering from certain conditions.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

We reserve the right to take photographs or videos during the operation of any expedition or part thereof and to use the resulting photography, videos, or recordings for promotional or commercial use. By making a reservation on a trip, participant agrees to allow his/her likeness to be used by Steep Adventures® and Steep Adventures®-authorized third parties without compensation to participant. If participant prefers that his/her likeness not be used, he/she must notify us in writing prior to departure of the trip.

Copyright in all photographs, video, and related materials created by participant (“Adventure Materials”) shall belong to the participant upon creation. In the case of Adventure Materials voluntary provided to Steep Adventures® or taken on Steep Adventures®-supplied equipment, participant grants to Steep Adventures® and Steep Adventures®-authorized third parties a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable license in any media now existing or subsequently developed for the following limited purposes: editorial use, promotion of the editorial use, promotion of Steep Adventures’ travel programs or promotion of the mission of Steep Adventures®.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPANTS:

Participant is responsible for understanding the conditions as described in the Trip Itinerary and selecting a trip in consultation with us that is appropriate to his/her interests and abilities, and for preparing for the trip by reading the Trip Itinerary and supplemental trip information in the pre-trip materials and for bringing the appropriate clothing and equipment as advised in those materials.

Participants furthermore agree to conduct themselves in a reasonable and appropriate manner throughout the expedition. Any participant who commits, attempts to commit, or incites others towards inappropriate conduct, including but not limited to, engaging in threatening behavior that puts others in reasonable fear for their safety, physically or verbally abusing staff or other participants, purposefully stealing or inducing physical damage of Steep Adventures®' or other travelers’ facility or equipment, as well as failure to follow verbal instructions of a staff member and adhere to Steep Adventures®' policies and procedures could result in forfeiture of the contract and removal of said breaching participant to the nearest secure location, at which point Steep Adventures® relinquishes all contractual responsibilities. Said participants waive all claims to refunds or specific performances as a result of their misconduct.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION:

This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without reference to its conflict of laws principles. Any legal action or preceding arising, notwithstanding this agreement, will be brought exclusively in the federal or state courts located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the parties hereby irrevocably consent to the personal jurisdiction and the venue therein.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK, LIABILITY RELEASE AUTHORIZATION:

This Assumption of Risk, Liability Release Authorization Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between Participant and Steep Adventures®, LLC (referred to as “Steep Adventures®”).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND LIMITATIONS:

Participant acknowledges and agrees that (1) Steep Adventures® has the unqualified right to accept or decline, or to retain, any person as a tour member whether before departure or en route; (2) any expenses incurred by delays or events beyond the control of Steep Adventures® is the sole responsibility of Participant; (3) the Participant's airline tickets, when issued, shall constitute the sales contract between the airline companies and the Participant; (4) risks on the trip include but are not limited to, the hazards of traveling in remote and/or mountainous terrain, accident or illness in remote places without readily available medical facilities, the forces of nature, the hazards of war, civil insurrection, terrorism and street crime, (5) airports, roads, railroads, highways, bridges, buildings and other man-made structures, as well as motor vehicles, aircraft and other conveyances associated with the trip may not be constructed or maintained up to standards customary in the United States, (6) it is the sole responsibility of the Participant to be familiar with and capable of handling the physical and/or mental demands associated with the trip, and (7) Participant has read, understands and agrees to all provisions contained in this Agreement.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY:

Participant acknowledges and understands that participation in the trip may involve risk of bodily injury or harm (including death) to Participant, or may involve risk of harm to the property of Participant. Participant acknowledges that s/he fully understands and appreciates the risk inherent in the trip, and Participant expressly and without limitation agrees that any and all risks and/or damage or destruction to property is fully and completely assumed by Participant. With a full understanding of the risks involved in the trip, Participant hereby expressly and completely releases Steep Adventures, their officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, it’s payment transaction agent, agents or representatives from and against all liability, claims, lawsuits, damages or losses of any kind, known and unknown, which may be connected with, resulting from, or arising out of the planning, arranging or implementation of or participation in the trip by Participant, regardless of whether such liability claims, lawsuits, damages or losses are caused by the active or passive negligence of Steep Adventures. This release by Participant shall include all claims, lawsuits, damages or losses of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to, all claims for bodily injury, personal injury, economic loss and property damage.

INDEMNITY:

Participant and, if applicable, the parents guardians, or estate of Participant hereby agree to defend (including the payment of attorneys fees and costs), indemnify and hold harmless Steep Adventures, their officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives from and against any and all losses suffered by Steep Adventures, their officers, directors, employees, agents and representatives as a result of any claims, lawsuits or actions arising by third parties out of or in any way relating to participation in the trip by Participant.

RESPONSIBILITY/DISCLAIMERS STATEMENTS:

Steep Adventures acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, activities, or other services connected with this trip. Such services are subject solely to the terms and conditions of those suppliers releasing Steep Adventures from liability as their agent. Steep Adventures and its respective employees, agents, representatives, and assigns accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other incident which may be caused by the negligence, defect, default of any company or person hired as an independent contractor to perform these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other such causes.

All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of the country in which they are provided. Steep Adventures® is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Steep Adventures.

Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.

BINDING EFFECT OF AGREEMENT:

This Agreement shall be binding upon all heirs, successors, representatives, parents, guardians of Participant.

GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION: