How it works
Four steps to the trailhead
1 · Talk to a planner
A 20-minute call about where you’d like to go, when, and how active you want to be.
2 · Hold your seat
A 20% deposit holds a seat for 14 days while you book flights. Fully refundable in that time.
3 · Get ready
Your packing list, a training plan for your grade, and a call with your lead guide.
4 · We meet you
Your guides pick you up at the airport. Everything after that is on us.
Talk to us
Our planners have done every trip
Our four planners work from Portland, Maine. Each one has traveled every route we sell, most of them more than once.
- Phone: (555) 014-2027, weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern
- Email: trips@example.com, answered within one working day
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for calls you book ahead
Before you go
Everything below is in your trip pack too. Here’s the short version.
Fitness
Train for your grade, not for a mountain. For Grade 3 and 4 trips, aim for two long walks a week with some hills, starting about three months before you leave.
Packing
- Waterproof boots, worn in before the trip
- Three layers: base, fleece and a waterproof shell
- A 25 to 35 liter daypack
- A reusable water bottle; tap water is drinkable on every route
Insurance
Travel insurance with emergency evacuation cover is required on every trip. We’ll ask for your policy number six weeks before departure.
Booking questions
The fine print, in plain words
How much is the deposit?
20% of the trip price. The balance is due 90 days before departure. We take cards and bank transfers, with no card fee.
What if I cancel?
- More than 90 days before departure: full refund, less a $250 fee
- 90 to 45 days before: 50% refund
- Less than 45 days before: no refund, but you can pass your seat to a friend
What happens if the weather turns?
Your guides change the plan, never the safety rules. Every itinerary has a bad-weather version, and we don’t charge for changes made on the trip.
Can you handle dietary needs?
Yes: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and most allergies. Tell your planner when you book so the cooks and guesthouses can plan ahead.
Is there a single supplement?
Only if you ask for a room of your own. Otherwise we pair you with another solo traveler at no extra cost.
Can we book a private trip?
For groups of six or more, yes, on any route and most dates outside the main season. Ask a planner for a quote.
Ready when you are
Start with a 20-minute call
No pressure and no obligation. Just a planner who has been there.