Risk and Responsibility
Mountain environments are inherently hazardous, and all mountain activities carry varying degrees of risk and uncertainty.
At Mountain Adventures, our guides are trained to the highest standards and are experts in managing and reducing mountain risk. We maintain open communication with clients leading up to and during activities to ensure that the objectives align with your goals. While we provide pre-trip information about main hazards, it’s essential for clients to be well-informed and assess whether the activity fits their risk tolerance.
Hazards and Uncertainty
Mountain hazards often involve uncertainties, which arise from a lack of information about potential outcomes. Some uncertainties cannot be minimized, such as unpredictable weather or sudden rockfall. However, with other hazards, such as snow bridges over crevasses, uncertainty can be reduced through information gathering and personal experience. Our guides are trained to understand and communicate levels of uncertainty.
Risk Tolerance
Risk involves the likelihood of an outcome and the severity of its consequences. Part of the adventure is managing these risks, and individuals have different definitions of acceptable risk levels. For instance, those tackling more challenging routes may accept higher risks for greater rewards. Guides typically maintain a lower risk tolerance than clients, as their long-term exposure to risk necessitates careful management.
Residual Risk
Risk can be reduced but never entirely eliminated. Even with effective management, accidents can occur during guided trips. By hiring a guide, you are sharing some of the risks, as they navigate the same terrain and face similar hazards. It is crucial to communicate your comfort level with the perceived risk during the trip.
Acknowledgment of Risk
Our guides are skilled at mitigating risks, but it would be misleading to suggest that our trips are without danger. By joining this adventure, you acknowledge these inherent risks and agree to participate with full understanding. All participants must sign a digital participation agreement and a release of liability waiver at the time of booking. A physical copy will also be signed at the start of each trip.
Important Information for Parents and/or Guardians
If you are registering a minor (someone under the age of 19 in British Columbia) for one of our trips or courses, it’s essential to understand your role in the process. As a parent or legal guardian, you will need to sign our Waiver on behalf of your child.
We believe it’s important for minors, especially those aged 12 and older, to also understand these risks. Therefore, if your child is 12 or older, we ask that they sign the Waiver alongside you. This dual acknowledgment helps ensure that both you and your child are fully aware of the responsibilities and risks involved.
In addition to the Waiver, we may also require a “Notice to Parents and Guardians, Acknowledgment of Risks, Medical Information, and Consent Form.” This document provides you with detailed information about the activities your child will be participating in and allows you to formally acknowledge the terms, conditions, and risks.