Day Hiking
Cancellation Policy
Wildtender offers a no-charge cancellation until 7 days prior to the departure of the hike (minus non-refundable processing fees). Within 7 days of departure, but at least 72 hours prior to departure, a 50% cancellation fee applies. Within 72 hours there are no refunds.
All hikes subject to change
Wildtender reserves the right to cancel, reschedule, or alter hikes at any time due to unsafe conditions or lack of accessibility – such as extreme weather; wildfires; road, park or trail closures.
Unfit or Unprepared
If a guide or employee of Wildtender deems you insufficiently prepared or unfit in any way for a hike you will be turned away without a refund.
Terms & Conditions Subject to Change
All terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.
Multi-day Programs (Backpacking, Workshops, Retreats)
Registration
After thoroughly reviewing the contents of the program page, Eligibility Criteria, and Terms & Conditions, fill out your registration form and provide payment via our secure online shopping cart.
Final acceptance of any program participant is subject to availability and Wildtender's discretion and review of all required forms, documents, payment and communications. Once we receive your registration form and payment, we will be in touch by email to confirm your participation and provide more information to help you prepare. If the program is already full, or we see an issue that prevents your participation, your registration will be cancelled and a full refund will be made promptly.
Payment
A deposit (amount variable) is required upon registration to secure your space. Payment can be made via credit card or Paypal after the registration process.
We will follow up to bill you for the remaining balance, due 60 days prior to the program’s start date (unless a different timeframe is listed). If you do not pay your balance by the due date, you forfeit your deposit and your space will be released.
Cancellation
If you cancel or leave a multi-day program early for any reason, your refund will be determined according to the terms & timelines outlined below. Please consider this information thoroughly before you make your commitment.
If you cancel more than 120 days from the program start date, we will grant you a full refund, or restore any Wildtender credit that was used (minus non-refundable processing fees).
If you cancel between 60-119 days from the program start date, we will refund your tuition, or restore any Wildtender credit that was used, minus the deposit (varies depending on program).
Less than 60 days before the program start date, or once the program has begun, there will be NO REFUND of tuition payments or Wildtender credit. Please understand that our programs are small and extensive preparations and non-refundable investments are made in advance assuming your attendance (e.g. extensive trip planning and coordination, lodging and shuttle reservations, food & supply purchases, permit fees, guarantee of guides’ payment based on certain attendance). Also, group capacities are extremely limited due to wilderness restrictions and our emphasis on intimate cohorts; therefore every space is precious, and the closer to the program start date that you cancel, it becomes less and less likely that we will be able to fill your spot and maintain a full program. We appreciate your understanding and support of our small organization.
Transfer / Credit Policy
If you need to cancel, we do not retain tuition credit for future unscheduled programs. We do allow transfers to other existing programs, however, more than 60 days in advance of your program’s start date, pending availability and Wildtender’s review and permission, with the following fee schedule:
More than 90 days prior to the program start date, you may transfer from one program to another with no associated fees.
Between 89 and 60 days prior to the trip start date, there will be a $100 per person transfer fee.
Less than 60 days prior to the program start date, regular cancellation and refund policies will apply.
You may be able to gift your space to a friend or loved one, up to two weeks in advance of the program start date, subject to our discretion and permission, and a $100 administration fee. Alternatively, let us know if you would like us to offer your space as a scholarship to someone who would otherwise be unable to attend.
Rain or Shine
Wildtender programs run rain or shine, as long as Wildtender deems conditions fundamentally safe. For this reason, participation in a Wildtender program requires the ability to be outside in potentially inclement weather, and suitable equipment (i.e. following the packing list that is provided).
Right to Cancel or modify Programs
Wildtender reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or modify trips due to inadequate sign-ups, staffing changes, or for other unforeseen circumstances that make the program economically or logistically infeasible for us to operate as planned. In this case, we will either offer you the choice of an alternative itinerary (guides, dates, location and/or other conditions may be different, but we will do our best to match the intention and spirit of the original program), or a full refund of your Wildtender tuition if we cannot provide an alternative option.
Wildtender reserves the right to cancel programs or modify itineraries due to circumstances beyond our control that make the trip unsafe or impossible to continue. All trips are subject to itinerary changes or cancellation for a wide variety of reasons including, but not limited to, weather, natural disasters, wildfires, poor air quality, landslides, park or public land closures, trail and/or road closures, acts of God, pandemics, political events such as terrorism, strikes, civil disturbances, or changes in law. NO REFUNDS will be made due to unforeseen conditions that are beyond Wildtender’s control, and we are not responsible for any travel costs or additional expenses incurred by you in preparation for the cancelled program. Please see information about trip insurance below to protect yourself.
Trip Insurance
For your protection, we strongly recommend that you acquire travel insurance to cover your travel and program expenses in the event that a major weather, climatic event, or pandemic-related shutdown (or something else unpredictable) prevents your Wildtender program from running. Also, life can be unpredictable and you need coverage in the event that something happens that causes you to cancel (injury, illness, family emergency, travel delay, natural disaster at home, etc.). Travel insurance may also provide you with medical, emergency assistance, and evacuation coverage in the event of your injury or accident.
We recommend trip insurance policies that offer flexible "cancel for any reason" options and pre-existing condition waivers; these types of policies generally need to be booked within 20 days of paying your Wildtender program deposit. Given insurance companies’ proclivities for denying claims, we have found that participants with “cancel for any reason” policies have the most successful claim reimbursements.
Please check carefully about coverages related to our context of wilderness and hiking/backpacking activity, and any seasonal considerations (such as wildfires, smoke/air quality, road or trail/public land closures due to weather or natural disasters, or COVID-19 pandemic surges). Coverage changes based on your region and companies/plans should be evaluated closely (including checking the definitions of terms such as “natural disasters”) to make sure you are covered adequately. Here is a website with recommendations for backpacker travel insurance plans.
Wildtender is not responsible for additional expenses you may incur in preparing for, travelling to and from, or participating in a program including flights, accommodations, equipment, medical expenses, etc.. We recommend that you factor all your costs in your travel insurance coverage to cover such potential losses related to cancellation.
Wildtender can not, and does not, guarantee reimbursement from travel insurance. Wildtender will not reimburse or credit you if your travel insurance claim is denied or limited in its reimbursement. The responsibility to research plans and coverage is entirely your own. Any and all suggestions made by Wildtender should be understood as examples which are not guaranteed by Wildtender.
Thank you for securing adequate travel insurance to protect your investment as well as the sustainability of our small organization.
Program Rules& CONDUCT
If you refuse to follow the rules or directions of staff on your Wildtender program, or participate in abusive, inappropriate or threatening conduct, thereby causing unsafe conditions or harming the experience for the guides or other participants, you will be asked to leave the program, with no refund.
Unfit or Unprepared
If a guide or employee of Wildtender deems you insufficiently prepared or unfit for a program (in terms of equipment, hiking eligibility, or otherwise), you will be turned away or asked to leave the program without a refund or credit. For this reason, we make extensive efforts in advance to help you prepare thoroughly. We advise you to closely review and self-assess with our Essential Eligibility Criteria, and also closely review and follow the guidance of all preparation materials & equipment lists that are provided.
For backpacking programs, we often require that you send photos of your gear several weeks in advance for us to check that your packing is on track. Failure to communicate or provide photos within seven days of the program, or other signs of unreadiness that could affect your safety or that of the group, may cause us to cancel your participation in advance or upon arrival without a refund. If you have any questions or concerns about your preparations or ability to participate, please do not hesitate to inquire with us so that we can support you.
Medical Disclosure and Coverage
Wildtender is not providing physical or mental health services or therapy through our programs. You are required to consult with a medical professional to determine your health and fitness eligibility for Wildtender programs, and to seek medical advice and care for any medical or mental health issues. If Wildtender guides determine that your mental health needs are beyond our staff’s abilities and training to support, you may be asked to leave a program without a refund; however, we will do our best to support your transition out of the program in a considerate way.
You are required to have adequate medical insurance coverage to participate in a Wildtender program, and we may ask you to disclose medical and insurance information. In certain cases, we may request written medical approval by your doctor in order to participate. Wildtender does not and will not assume liability regarding medical care or medical evacuations. We recommend trip insurance to cover you in the event of injury or emergency.
No Guarantees of Program Benefits
Wildtender does not guarantee that any specific results will be obtained from our programs, because specific results involve factors beyond our control. If you have any questions about the benefits of our programs, please contact us before you make a purchase.
No Guarantees for Dietary Restrictions & Allergies
While we will attempt to accommodate dietary allergies, sensitivities, and nutritional preferences, we cannot guarantee or warranty an allergy-free or sensitivity-free dietary experience on Wildtender programs.
Acknowledgment, Assumption of Risk, Release of Liability and Indemnification Agreement
You are required to review and sign Wildtender’s Waiver prior to the Wildtender program’s beginning. We are unable to allow you to participate in any aspect of a Wildtender program without a signed form. If you would like to review this document in advance, please contact us.
Terms & Conditions Subject to Change
All terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.