Applies to: Brodrick Pass (multi-day), Mount Cook Day Hikes, and Adventure Day Hikes
1. Safety, Fitness & Experience
Assumption of Risk: Alpine hiking takes place on steep, uneven, and remote terrain. Risks include rockfall, extreme weather changes, and falls. You must sign a liability waiver during booking, and again upon arrival.
Briefings: Your guide will provide safety briefings before and during the activity. You must follow their instructions at all times.
Guide Authority: You must follow all instructions. The guide has the final say on all safety matters, including "turn-back" times.
Language: For safety, all guests must understand instructions in English or ensure that a person in the party can translate effectively.
2. Health & Fitness
Fitness Warning: Alpine hiking is physically demanding. If your fitness or ability prevents the group from moving safely, the guide may shorten the trip, take an alternative route, or return to the trailhead. No refunds are provided if a trip is shortened due to participant fitness.
Medical Conditions: These hikes are not recommended for individuals with heart, back knee, or back problems. You must provide information on pre-existing medical conditions that may affect your ability to complete this trip.
Pregnancy: We do not encourage hiking in the 3rd trimester. Participants in their 1st or 2nd trimester must be fit for mountain exercise.
Children (Minors):
> Minimum Age: 12 years.
> Minors (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent/guardian (Max 2 minors per guardian).
> There is no child pricing as guiding and safety requirements remain the same.
3. Booking & Payment
Deposit: A 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
Final Balance: The remaining 75% is payable on the day of the hike.
4. Cancellation & Refunds
We recommend travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations, as our policy is strictly enforced:
5. Weather & Itinerary Changes
Safety Cancellations: If we cancel the hike due to unsafe weather or mountain conditions, you will receive a 100% refund of your deposit (or you may reschedule).
Shortened Trips: If a trip is started but must be shortened or the itinerary changed due to incoming weather, no refund is payable.
* Duration: Alpine Guides reserves the right to adjust trip duration or routes based on real-time weather and group safety.
