Terms of Use (Booking Terms and Conditions)

1. Interpretation

1.1 In these Conditions: Client means the person for whom the Supplier has agreed to provide a Service in accordance with these Conditions. Contract means an agreement of the provision of the Service as set out herein. Service means the service to be provided by the Supplier for the Client. Supplier means Chasing Summits, Registered Company Number 14603724. Registered Office 51 Eafield Avenue, Milnrow, Ol16 3UN United Kingdom. Charity events bear a registration fee, the value of which is dependent on each event. Minimum Sponsorship pledge is the amount set by the charity for which the event supports. The trip is used interchangeably to mean either a holiday, course, expedition or challenge.

1.2 The headings in these Conditions are for convenience only and shall not affect their interpretation.

2. Responsibility and Personal Safety

2.1 Chasing Summits recognises and advises that due to the very nature of the trip and activities it offers accidents are possible and the Client must be aware of the risks. The Client travels at their own risk, and except as expressly provided for in these conditions, Chasing Summits shall not be liable to the Client by reason of any representation or any implied warranty, condition or other terms, or any duty at, common law, or under the express terms of the Contract, for any loss of profit or any indirect, special or consequential loss, damage, cost, expenses or claims, which arise out of or in connection with the provision of the Service or their use by the Client. The entire liability of Chasing Summits under or in connection with the Contract shall not exceed the number of Chasing Summits charges for the provision of the Service.

2.2 Chasing Summits shall not be liable to the Client or deemed to be in breach of the Contract by reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform, any of the Chasing Summits obligations to the Service.

2.3 Chasing Summits warrants to the Client that the Service will be provided using reasonable care and skill, as far as reasonably possible. Where Chasing Summits supplies in connection with the provision of the Service any goods supplied by a third party, Chasing Summits does not give any warranty, guarantee or other terms as to their quality of fitness for purpose or otherwise.

2.4 Chasing Summits reserves the right to reject any Client as a member of their trip at any time. Reasons for this may include but are not exclusive to, illegal actions or foolish behaviour which endangers the Client, the guide or any other participants. In this event, no refund will be made and Chasing Summits will not accept any further liability or responsibility to the Client.

2.5 The Client accepts responsibility for any damage or loss caused by the Client or any member of the Client’s party to the property of Chasing Summits or any 3rd party. Proper payment for such damage or loss must be made at the time direct to the accommodation owner or manager or other Supplier. If the Client fails to do so, the Client must indemnify Chasing Summits against any claim (including legal costs) subsequently made against Chasing Summits as a result of the Client’s actions.

3. Legal and health requirements

3.1 It is the Client’s responsibility to ensure that they have taken out the necessary insurance, to include air rescue and cancellation cover, which is compulsory for participation in the Supplier’s challenge. The cost of this is not included in the challenge/event price. Failure to do this will result in any air rescue bill for the repatriation of the Client being the responsibility of the Client.

3.2 The client certifies that he/she is in good physical and mental health and is able to take part in the challenge he/ she is subscribing to.

4. Payment terms

4.1 To confirm a booking Chasing Summits requires a registration fee (non-refundable), the value of which is specific to each event based on its total value. Payment can be made by credit or debit card, bank transfer or via Paypal. Balance payment in full must be received 8 weeks prior to departure.

4.2 Charity Sponsorship – under the self-fund option the registration fee is due upon making the booking(non-refundable) and the remaining balance is due from you 8 weeks before the trip departure. Failure to do this will result in the loss of your place and all sponsorship money will be due to your chosen charity immediately. Under the minimum sponsorship option, the registration fee is due from yourself upon booking to secure your place, you agree to fundraise the Minimum Sponsorship Pledge set by your chosen charity. 50% to 80% of the Minimum Sponsorship Pledge, depending on your chosen charity’s specific guidelines as outlined prior to booking, is due 8 weeks prior to the trip departure to your charity. Failure to do this will result in loss of your space and your registration fee. The remaining 20% should be with your charity within 2 weeks after the challenge date. If you are unable to reach the Minimum Sponsorship Pledge that has been set by your charity you will automatically revert to the self-funder option whereby you pay for the total cost of the challenge yourself and any sponsorship money raised goes directly to your chosen charity. If you reach your Minimum Sponsorship Pledge the charity will pay the balance of your trip.

By completing and submitting the booking form you agree that the money raised will not be used for anything other than directly to the charity and if you withdraw or cancel the trip any monies raised will be sent to your charity, and you will be liable to pay the full cost of the challenge. All sponsorship money should go directly to your chosen charity.

4.3 Late Payment of Balance. If the Client fails to make a balance payment by the due date, Chasing Summits reserves the right to levy a late payment fee of £35 per person for each complete week the balance remains unpaid after the due date.

5. Cancellation/Amendment by the Client

5.1 If the Client cancels then the following cancellation charges will apply:

5.1.1 more than 60 days before departure: 50% of the chargeable amount is to be paid.

5.1.2 less than 60 days before departure: loss of all charges – no refund will be paid.

5.2 Notice of cancellation must be given in writing to changes info@chasingsummits.co.uk . Date of receipt of written cancellation by Chasing Summit applies for 5.1.1 to 5.1.3.

5.3 Chasing Summits advises the Client to take out holiday / event insurance and to ensure that this includes cancellation cover.

5.4 Should the client wish to change an existing booking with Chasing Summits, then an amendment/administration charge will apply. A change of an existing booking (e.g. changing from one course to another) may only be made with the agreement by Chasing Summits and will be subject to an amendment charge which is to be confirmed by Chasing Summits on a case by case basis.

6. Cancellation/Alterations by Chasing Summits

6.1 Chasing Summits reserves the right to cancel the trip/ course for any reason. These may include, but are not exclusive to (a) for reasons of force majeure; (b) a minimum group number has not been reached; (c) non-payment by the Client of the due sum by the due date. Chasing Summits endeavours to ensure that a trip will run wherever financially viable. Where a trip must be cancelled, Chasing Summits undertakes to inform the Client as soon as possible.

6.2 If the Client does not pay the balance by the due date, Chasing Summits reserves the right to cancel the Client’s booking and pursue any monies owing.

6.3 If Chasing Summits cancels the Client’s trip, Chasing Summits will endeavour to offer an alternative date or trip. No alternative trip or date will be offered in the case of 6.1 (c). Chasing Summits will not be liable for any incidental expenses or losses the Client may have incurred. The full extent of Chasing Summits liability is limited to the course fee/services paid for by the Client. In the event of the Client accepting an alternative trip, the difference in price will be invoiced or credited accordingly.

6.4 Chasing Summits receives regular travel updates from the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office and will not knowingly operate trips against the advice from the FCO. Where the FCO advises against ‘all but essential’ travel, the Client is advised to read the relevant advice and to decide whether they wish to be subjected to the risks associated with that country or region. The Client must ensure that their travel insurance is valid notwithstanding the FCO advice.

In the event of the FCO changing their advice to ‘all travel’, this constitutes a force majeure and the trip will be cancelled. If the trip destination is UK based, the cancellation will be made if the advice is active 7-days prior to the trip start date. If the trip destination is outside of the UK, cancellation will be made if the advice is active 14-days prior to the trip start date.

If the FCO change their advice to ‘all but essential’ travel after a booking has been made and the Client wishes to cancel their trip, the cancellation charges set out in section 5 will apply.

Clients from outside the UK are advised to consult their own government for travel advice. Where a foreign government changes their advice to ‘all travel’, which does not coincide with the UK FCO’s advice, a cancellation by the Client will be subject to Chasing Summit’s cancellation procedure.

6.5 A trip may be cancelled due to force majeure. Examples of force majeure include, but are not limited to war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity and its consequences, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics, health risks and pandemics, unavoidable and unforeseeable technical problems with transport for reasons beyond our control or that of our suppliers; closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual or potential severe weather conditions, and any other similar events.

6.6 Due to the nature of the Service Chasing Summits reserves the right to alter travel arrangements, accommodation, and itinerary at any time. In the unlikely event of this happening, these will usually, but not necessarily exclusively, be minor changes. No compensation will be payable. Chasing Summit will always endeavour to maintain the quality of the offer if changes must be made.

6.7 All prices are accurate at the date published, but Chasing Summit reserves the right to change the price from time to time. If circumstances such as government action, changes to fuel and currency fluctuations make it necessary for Chasing Summit to levy such charges, Chasing Summit shall issue an Amendment Invoice reflecting any changes made as appropriate and will notify the Client at the earliest opportunity. This will only be done with a reasonable cause where the cost basis for Chasing Summit has risen and the cause will be stated.

7. Complaints

7.1 Should a problem arise during the trip, please inform the lead Guide and/or relevant person immediately who will endeavour to rectify the issue. If your complaint is not resolved locally, and to your satisfaction, please email info@chasingsummits.co.uk or write to their registered address within 28 days of completion of the service. Please provide the trip name, departure date, and all other relevant information.

7.2 Failure to follow the above procedures during your trip, and/or failure to complain within 28 days of your return, may reduce or extinguish any rights you have to claim compensation from us, or from any relevant supplier. Any such rights will be reduced or extinguished if, had you followed the above procedures during your trip, you or we could have taken steps to reduce any loss or damage suffered or entirely prevented it from being suffered.

8. Acceptance of Risk

8.1 Mountain challenges in the UK and overseas carries risks. This page is to inform you of the kinds of risks you could encounter in the mountains and associated with the activities we undertake. It is designed to enable you to make informed choices about your participation in our courses. Whilst we take our responsibility for your safety very seriously, we cannot eliminate risk. Please find below a listing of the various dangers that can be encountered on our courses, the consequences of which may be serious injury or prove fatal. Please be aware this is an inexact science and it is not an exhaustive list.

• Physical and mental exertion (in some cases extreme including altitude sickness.

• Adverse/rapidly changing weather conditions (wind/ rain/hail/sleet/snow/sun/storm/lightning).

• Uneven/slippy/dangerous surfaces (slate/snow/stone/ rock/snow/ice etc).

• Falls.

• Road travel/road travel accidents.

• Avalanche danger.

• Rock/ice fall.

• Strong sun/UV exposure.

• Acute mountain sickness (e.g. pulmonary/cerebral oedema).

• Cold-related injuries.

• Crevasse fall.

• Developing countries – reduced medical care/facilities; transport facilities are not to the same standard as in the UK. Vehicles are not necessarily subjected to annual MOT tests and in some cases, they do not have seat belts.

• General health & safety, political volatility, water/foodborne illnesses. Foreign Office Advice – the UK Foreign Office provides useful travel advice by country on its website

8.2 The course objectives (e.g. summit/routes etc) may, during poor weather and route conditions, not be obtainable. The guide/mountain leader directing your course carries the final say regarding route selection and its conditions, as well as suitability and continued participation of the participants. A short notice change of conditions, circumstances, and objectives is a possibility at any time of the year in the mountains.

9. Data Protection

9.1 Chasing Summits is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. By making a booking with us, you agree we may use and disclose the information you provide for the following purposes: to enable us to process your booking (which will include passing your information to third party suppliers, such as accommodation and transport providers, guides and in-country agents, and may involve sending your information to countries that do not have an equal level of privacy legislation to that in the UK); to administer, analyse and improve our website; for improving customer service; for the detection and prevention of fraud or other crime (which may include providing your information to organisations such as Banks and credit card companies); for compliance with legal requirements (which will include passing your information to public authorities such as customs and immigration) and for marketing contact by means of email, post and/or telephone to provide you with offers and information on similar products and services to those you have purchased (unless you have opted out of such marketing at the time of booking).

9.2 I consent to Chasing Summits sharing my details with my chosen charity and to the charity contacting me by phone, text, e-mail or post.

9.3 If you wish to make a data subject access request for a copy of any personal data we hold on you, please contact Chasing Summits at the registered address or via email info@chasingsummits.co.uk. A charge of £20 applies. Our full Privacy Policy is available.

9.4 I grant and authorise Chasing Summits the right to take, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, distribute and make use of any and all pictures or videos taken of or by me to be used in materials including, but not limited to, newsletters, flyers, posters, brochures, advertisements, websites, social networking sites and other print and digital communications, without payment or any other consideration. This authorization extends to all languages, media, formats, and markets now known or hereafter devised. This authorization shall continue indefinitely unless I otherwise revoke the authorisation in writing.

10. Liability

11.1 Chasing Summits carries full public and products liability insurance to act as a tour operator for adventurous travel. Copies are available for inspection on request.

11.2 We take our responsibility to yourself, our clients, and staff very seriously. Our policy is to ensure that all of the trips that we offer are led by appropriately qualified guides who are knowledgeable about the area you are visiting. We endeavor to ensure the safety of our clients and guides at all times, whilst balancing this with the risks associated with the trips that we offer. We ask that all clients travelling with Chasing Summits read, understand and sign a Disclaimer to show you understand the risks involved and to confirm that you have read the Terms & Conditions. Should you have any queries about any of these terms and conditions then please contact us prior to booking as once we accept your booking, you are bound by Chasing Summits Terms & Conditions.

12. Sponsorship

By completing and submitting the booking form the Client agrees that the money raised will not be used for anything other than directly to the charity and if the Client withdraws or cancels the trip any monies raised will be sent to the charity. All sponsorship money is bound by our contract provided on registration.

13. Arbitration

13.1 Any disputes arising under or in connection with these Conditions or the provision of the Service shall be referred to observation by a single arbiter appointed by agreement or (interval) knowledge on the application of either party by the person for the time being of the law society.

13.2 English law shall apply to this Contract and the parties agree to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.

13.3 Chasing Summits reserves the right to revise these Terms and Conditions from time to time and as it sees fit. The Clients agrees to accept any future reasonable changes to these Terms and Conditions which are within the law of the UK.

13.4 Each clause of these Terms and Conditions operates and applies separately. If any court or relevant party deems any individual clause unenforceable in law, the remaining clauses will remain in full force and effect.

13.5 These conditions and the disclaimer form (page 2 of the booking form) constitute the entire agreement between the parties, and supersede any previous agreement or understanding and may not be varied except in writing between the parties.

Disclaimer

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have read and understood the following Disclaimer prior to booking your trip. If you are unsure about any part of the Terms & Conditions or Disclaimer please do not hesitate to contact us.

In consideration of Chasing Summits Ltd allowing me to take part in and engage in any adventure activity, I hereby acknowledge and declare as follows:

1. I confirm that I am over the age of 18.

2. I confirm that I have read and understood the terms and conditions (including risk awareness) of Chasing Summits Lts as provided on the website: www.chasingsummits.co.uk.

3. I agree to be bound by and obey these terms and conditions and all other rules, regulations, and conditions of Chasing Summits Ltd and its officials, including those rules, regulations or conditions contained in this Disclaimer and any other applicable safety rules.

4. I acknowledge that I owe a duty to myself and others whilst engaging in any activity provided by Chasing Summits to ensure that I do not take any action or fail to do anything which would endanger my safety and/or the safety of others.

5. I confirm that I will not attempt to repair, modify or tamper with any equipment provided to me for any purpose whilst engaging in any activity and will comply with all instructions in relation to the safe and proper use of such equipment.

6. I will not, whilst engaging in any activity provided by Chasing Summits, use any equipment other than those provided to me by Chasing Summits without the consent of an employee of Chasing Summits Ltd.

7. I acknowledge that engaging in an activity provided by Chasing Summits Ltd can be physically and mentally demanding and confirm that I am in good health and know of no reason, physical or mental why I could be unable to engage in such activity.

8. I agree to pay to Chasing Summits Ltd a sum equivalent to the new value of the item plus an administration charge of £50 if I fail to return to Chasing Summits any equipment provided to me for the purpose of engaging in any activity.

9. I acknowledge that engaging in the activity provided by Chasing Summits Ltd may be dangerous. I, therefore, recognise that engaging in any activity is at my own risk. I confirm that Chasing Summits is entitled at any time for whatever reason to deny me access and/ or engagement in any activity. I will not hold Chasing Summits Ltd or any of its representatives responsible for any illness, loss, injury or death sustained before, during or after participation in an activity provided by Chasing Summits Ltd.

10. I confirm that I understand the necessity to take out appropriate insurance for the activity.

The Client travels at their own risk, and except as expressly provided for in these conditions, Chasing Summits shall not be liable to the Client by reason of any representation or any implied warranty, condition or other terms, or any duty at, common law, or under the express terms of the Contract, for any loss of profit or any indirect, special or consequential loss, damage, cost, expenses or claims, which arise out of or in connection with the provision of the Service or their use by the Client