Khumbu
Adventures Trekking and Expedition (P) LTD.
Acknowledgement of Risk, Waiver & Release
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here to download this Waiver and please print and bring it with
you.
Acknowledgement
of Risk
Lhakpa Dorji Sherpa and Lhakpa Doma Sherpa of Khumbu Adventures
Trekking and Expedition Private Limited, Nepal, have done everything
possible within the budget of the trip to ensure that our trips
give clients and members a rewarding and relatively safe experience.
However you must acknowledge that adventure travel, treks, trek-climbs
and expeditions are all inherently dangerous. The same elements
that contribute to the adventure of trekking or climbing such
as the physical exertion or the risk can also cause loss or
damage to gear, injury, illness, or in extreme cases, death.
While travelling, trekking and/or climbing, there are risks
to be encountered which you should be aware of:
We travel in local transport that will not be up to developed
country standards. Buses are old and rough even our hired transport.
The roads are rough and sometimes non-existent. Driving standards
are very different - much worse - than western standards, but
vehicles travel at much lower speeds. The risk of accidents
is low in Nepal but higher in India and Pakistan. Injury from
the bumps and shaking is rare but possible. Where possible we
minimize these risks by taking domestic flights. Domestic flights
are mostly in small 16-19 seats twin-engine propeller aircraft
with local pilots. The planes are well-maintained but conditions
are difficult. The rural airstrips are rough, rarely flat and
have no radar facilities. All flying is visual. There is an
extremely low risk of snapped undercarriages and flying into
a mountain in the clouds, however the safety record with tourists
is surprisingly good.
While trekking, climbing and camping you should carry adequate
water, sun protection and clothing appropriate to the conditions.
We provide equipment lists and will answer any questions about
gear that you may have prior to the trek and on the trail. We
also inspect your equipment prior to leaving for the trek. While
trekking you will be traversing rugged terrain: high mountain
passes, snow and ice, exposed and rough trails, routes threatened
by avalanches and landslides and crossing streams and rivers
by rough bridges or slippery rocks. There are risks of falling,
rock fall, landslides, collapsing bridges and exposure.
Climbing mountains is inherently dangerous. There are unavoidable
risks of avalanche, rock fall, serac and icefall collapses,
climbing protection failing, falling in crevasses, falling,
hypothermia and extreme weather conditions. You may be climbing
on ropes that are old with strength degraded, ropes that have
been fixed by amateurs, ropes and protection that may have been
placed incorrectly according to best practice. You may be crossing
hidden or open crevasses without protection.
There are also dangerous animals, dangerous plants, and dangerous
insects. Any wild and domestic animal you encounter can be dangerous,
including the yaks, dzopkio and horses that carry our bags on
some treks. Nepal and India have dangerous bears, tigers, leopards
and other animals however the risk of an incident is extremely
low, for example bears are rarely encountered, unlike in the
USA. In Nepal stinging nettles are a problem and we will point
them out at the first opportunity.
Water should be purified or treated before drinking. This includes
ALL tap water in cities, towns and villages, and all stream
water. On glaciers and with snow melt we will advise. Cleaning
your hands before eating and after toilet functions is critical
in maintaining good health.
You will travel, trek and/or climb to extreme altitudes. Altitude
sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness: AMS) is a significant risk.
Altitude sickness occurs when your body cannot properly adapt
to the lower amounts of oxygen found in the air at high and
extreme altitudes. Acclimatization is the process by which the
body adapts. Most people suffer some form of mild altitude sickness
and most people can acclimatize to high altitudes, but not everyone.
The key is to ascent slowly, over a period of days and to drink
plenty of water. Altitude sickness can develop into High Altitude
Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE),
which can be fatal if not treated quickly. Treatment is rapid
descent to a lower altitude.
Traveling, trekking and climbing at high (above 2400m) and extreme
altitudes carries numerous risks not yet fully understood. It
does affect men's fertility for a period of at least several
months, making them less fertile or infertile. It does thicken
the blood increasing the risk of blood clots, even if you stay
fully hydrated. The lower levels of oxygen in the bloodstream
do affect the brain, heart and other organs in ways not yet
understood.
Western-standard hospital care is often not available although
there are some professional clinics in Kathmandu and Delhi.
While trekking and travelling you may be several hours to several
weeks from any medical facility. Helicopter rescue is available
in Nepal and sometimes in India if you are insured for this.
The helicopter will not take off until payment for services
is arranged. Helicopter rescue is unavailable in Tibet
Decisions made by the leader and participants (team members/clients)
in a wildness setting are based on a variety of factors, perceptions
and evaluations which by their nature are imprecise and subject
to errors in judgment. Throughout the tour participants are
responsible for their own safety and must show consideration
for the safety of other members of their group.
This list is not an exhaustive list of
possible injuries, or accidents that may occur while traveling,
trekking or climbing. Most of these injuries are rare and you
are not likely to encounter them, however they have occurred
and you must be aware of the risks.
Waiver,
Release and Indemnification
In
the following agreement 'The Organizers’ means your foreign
agent (if any), Khumbu Adventures Trekking / Expedition (P)
LTD. And Lhakpa Dorji Sherpa and Lhakpa Doma Sherpa, their
agents and employees.
I certify that I am fully capable of participating
in a travel, trekking or trek-climb program. I state that I
have read the above statement on some of the possible risks.
Therefore, I assume full responsibility for myself for bodily
injury, death and loss of personal property and any expenses
as a result of my negligence, or the negligence of The Organizers.
I also understand that The Organizers reserves the right to
refuse any person it judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors
and requirements of participating in travel, trekking or trek-climbs.
I are in good physical condition and able to undertake this
trekking.
I certify that to my knowledge I do not
have any medical condition that would prevent my participation
in this travel, trekking or trek-climb. I hereby give permission
for transportation to any medical facility or hospital and I
authorize any guide or medical personnel to render emergency
medical care for myself.
I and my heirs agree to indemnify and hold
harmless The Organizers and other participants, from all claims,
damages, losses, injuries and expenses arising out of or resulting
from my participation in these activities. I further agree to
release, acquit and covenant not to sue The Organizers and/or
other participants for all actions, causes of action, claims
or damages, of whatever kind, including the negligence of The
Organizers and/or other participants, arising out of participation
in this program. In short, I cannot prosecute or sue The Organizers
and/or other participants, and if I do, I cannot collect any
money.
I agree to the site of any lawsuit and
the law governing any such lawsuit shall be Nepal and governed
by Nepalese law. The terms of this agreement shall continue
and be in effect after the trip has ended.
I agree that if The Organizers are forced
to defend any action, lawsuit or litigation by myself, my executors,
or my heirs, on my family's or my behalf, my heirs or executors
and I agree to pay The Organizers all costs and legal fees if
they successfully defend such action, lawsuit or litigation.
This is a legal document. Please read and
understand this document before signing.
I
have read and understood this waiver and release legal document.
