Conditions of Participation
A day on the fells with me ensures that you are in the hands of a qualified mountain leader with decades of knowledge and experience of the area. I also carry public liability insurance and I am qualified in first aid.
I want a safe and enjoyable day out as much as you do, and that depends on everyone coming properly prepared. If you are unsure about anything please ask for my advice.
Walking the hills can never be entirely risk free, but disaster usually threatens only when risks are ignored. You must be aware of and accept the risks inherent in walking in high level, rough, steep or remote terrain and take sensible precautions to minimise those risks. Weather can change from warm and sunny to cold, wet and windy very rapidly and vice versa. Overheating and overcooling of the body beyond its normal range can give rise to potentially fatal medical conditions. A slip can result in serious injury or death. A state of exhaustion will greatly add to these risks. And rescue may be many hours away. So please:
- Ensure you are confident that you are able to walk in rough terrain and manage the specified distance, ascent and descent.
- Eat a proper meal before setting out and have plenty to drink.
- Carry a reasonable amount of carbohydrate food, including emergency food, and adequate drink, bearing in mind the length of the walk and anticipated weather conditions.
- Bring a waterproof jacket with hood and spare warm top, and (except at my discretion in settled warm weather) hat, gloves and waterproof trousers.
- Wear sturdy footwear that gives good grip and adequate ankle support (ideally good quality walking boots with vibram type sole).
- Bring any additional items you may need, such as personal medication, sunglasses, sunscreen, walking stick etc.
- Notify me if you have any medical condition (including allergies) that may conceivably affect your fitness during the walk, take appropriate medication on the walk and advise me of any signs to be alert for and the appropriate treatment.
- Keep with the party during the walk and on no account wander off or speed on ahead. If you wish to leave the party during the walk you must tell me. If you choose to separate from the party I will no longer have any responsibility towards you.
- Comply with any safety related instructions that I may give.
Please also note that I reserve the right, in the interest of safety, to:-
- Refuse to take any walker who in my judgment is poorly equipped or ill-prepared for the potential conditions.
- Alter or cancel the walk at short notice.
- Alter or cut short the walk while it is in progress.
If a walk is cancelled you will receive a full refund.
Children
Persons under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are the parent or guardian of a participant who is under 18 years of age, you remain responsible for the supervision of that person, including ensuring that they are suitably equipped and abide by any instruction given.
Dogs
Most walks are suitable for well-behaved dogs, but please note that by law dogs must be on a lead near livestock and at all times from 1 March to 31 July. A dog that is attacking or threatening livestock can legally be shot by farmers. The presence of its owner is no safeguard, as a walker in Langdale learnt from bitter experience in 2005.
Insurance
Finally, please note, that my public liability insurance covers loss, damage or injury incurred as a result of my misjudgement, not yours. If you think you need any form of personal insurance cover, please contact your insurance company.
John Nash
