Risk Management Policy
At NorthxSouth Expeditions, our top priority is the safety and well-being of our clients. We are committed to providing a memorable and exhilarating mountaineering experience while minimizing the inherent risks associated with the sport. This risk management policy outlines our approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, and ensuring your safety throughout the expedition.
1. Safety First
We prioritize safety above all else. Our experienced and qualified guides adhere to the highest industry standards and will make informed decisions to ensure your well-being during the expedition. We continuously assess and mitigate risks to create a safe environment for all participants.
2. Risk Assessment and Mitigation
We employ a comprehensive risk management framework to identify potential hazards and mitigate associated risks. Our processes include:
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Thorough Assessment: We conduct a detailed assessment of the expedition location, terrain, weather conditions, and potential hazards specific to each trip. This allows us to anticipate and plan for potential risks in advance.
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Expert Guides: Our guides are extensively trained and possess the necessary qualifications and experience to lead expeditions. They possess in-depth knowledge of the terrain, local conditions, and emergency procedures. Our guides are equipped to make well-informed decisions to prioritize your safety.
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Pre-Expedition Preparation: We provide pre-expedition training and briefings to ensure participants are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle various situations. This includes training on equipment usage, navigation, weather awareness, and emergency response protocols.
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Equipment and Safety Measures: We maintain a rigorous equipment inspection and maintenance program. Our gear is regularly checked to ensure it meets safety standards. We also require appropriate gear such as helmets, harnesses, and personal anchors to minimize risks during the expedition.
3. Emergency Preparedness
We have a robust emergency response plan in place to address unforeseen circumstances. Our emergency preparedness includes:
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Communication Protocols: We maintain effective communication channels with our guides and participants throughout the expedition. This ensures prompt and accurate exchange of information, particularly during emergencies.
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First Aid and Medical Support: Our guides are trained in wilderness first aid and carry comprehensive first aid kits. Additionally, we have established partnerships with local medical professionals and evacuation services to ensure prompt medical attention when necessary.
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Contingency Plans: We develop contingency plans to handle unexpected events, adverse weather conditions, or other situations that may arise during the expedition. These plans are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.
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4. Continuous Improvement
We are committed to continuous improvement of our risk management practices. This includes:
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Incident Reporting and Investigation: We have a system in place to report, investigate, and document any incidents, accidents, or near-misses that occur during our expeditions. We use these incidents as opportunities for learning and to improve our risk management procedures.
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Participant Feedback: We value your feedback and actively encourage participants to share their experiences and suggestions. Your input helps us enhance our risk management practices and maintain the highest standards of safety.
5. Legal Compliance
We comply with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards pertaining to mountaineering safety. Our operations are conducted in accordance with local, regional, and national guidelines to ensure the highest level of safety for our participants.
We invite you to join us on an unforgettable mountaineering journey, knowing that your safety and well-being are our utmost priority. By adhering to our comprehensive risk management policy, we aim to provide a safe, thrilling, and rewarding experience for all participants.
For further information or any questions regarding our risk management practices, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Harassment Policy
NorthxSouth Expeditions is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, contractors, clients, and visitors. We have a zero tolerance policy towards harassment in any form. Harassment undermines our core values and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Harassment may fall short of violating any local laws, but we reserve the right to deem any conduct as harassment. This policy outlines our stance on harassment and the actions we will take to prevent and address such incidents.
1. Definition of Harassment
Harassment refers to any unwanted conduct, verbal, non-verbal, or physical, that is based on an individual's protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Harassment may include, but is not limited to, offensive jokes, derogatory comments, slurs, intimidation, threats, unwanted physical contact, or any behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
2. Scope of Application
This policy applies to all individuals associated with NorthxSouth Expeditions including employees, contractors, clients, vendors, visitors, and any other person who interacts with our organization. It covers all work-related activities, events, communications, and locations, including physical workplaces, remote workspaces, business trips, and company-sponsored events.
3. Compliance and Consequences
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Employees, Contractors, and Vendors:
Failure to comply with this zero tolerance harassment policy will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or contract termination. Additionally, individuals who engage in harassing behavior may face legal consequences as provided by applicable laws. -
Clients and Visitors:
Violation of this policy may result in removal from a program, as well as refusal to provide services indefinitely.
We are committed to upholding this zero tolerance harassment policy to create a respectful and inclusive environment for all.
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Booking Policy
1. Non-Refundable Deposit
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A non-refundable deposit of $750 per person is required and secures your booking.
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Deposits can be paid via Wire Transfer, MasterCard, Visa, or American Express. Checks are not accepted. As a heads up: Wire Transfers must cover all fees charged by your bank.
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2. Remaining Balance Payments:
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The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the departure date of your trip.
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Balance payments can be paid via MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Wire Transfer. Again: Wire Transfers must cover all fees charged by your bank.
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If your balance payment is not received 90 days prior to the start of your trip, your reservation will be canceled, and your non-refundable deposit will be forfeited.
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A payment reminder will be emailed 2 weeks before your final payment due date.
3. Payments for trips within 90 Days:
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If you register for a program within 90 days of the departure date, payment in full will be required at the time of registration.
4. ​Payment Plans:
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Payment plans may be accepted on a case by case basis. Please inquire via the contact page!
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Cancellation Policy
1. If you decide to cancel your trip more than 90 days prior to your departure date:
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Full refund minus the non-refundable deposit.
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2. If you decide to cancel your trip less than 90 days prior to your departure date:
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There will be no refunds → This is due to the time and logistics that go into the planning of your trip. As the departure date of the trip gets closer, we have already incurred costs associated with the logistics of the trip. As such we will not make any exceptions to this policy.
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3. If you decide to end your trip early, for whatever reason, there will be no refunds. However, we are reasonable people. In the event of a family emergency, we will do our best to work with you regarding potentially refundable costs.
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4. If your balance payment is not received 90 days prior to the start of your trip, your reservation will be canceled, and your non-refundable deposit will be forfeited.
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5. We reserve the right to cancel a trip at any time. Please see below for specifics:
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If we cancel the trip PRIOR to its start due to natural disasters, political instability of the destination country, pandemics, or any other reasons, we will provide you a credit for a future trip.
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If we cancel the trip AFTER its start due to natural disasters, political instability of the destination country, pandemics, or any other reasons, there will not be any refunds - which is why we require travel insurance for these potential situations.
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If we change a trip itinerary or abort a summit attempt for whatever reason (weather, conditions, volcanic activity), before or after the trip's start date, this will not be considered a cancellation, and as such you will not be refunded.
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If we cancel a portion of the itinerary due to weather, unsafe route conditions, group fitness, volcanic activity, or other reasons, we will do our best to replace that portion with a similar objective, or alternate activity such as climbing, tours, or other exploring.
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​6. For the above reasons, we adamantly require travel insurance.
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Summit Attempt Policy
We cannot guarantee that you will reach the summit of any particular mountain on your trip. Mountaineering is a dangerous and strenuous sport. Weather, unsafe route conditions, team dynamics, and lack of required fitness by you or a member of your group, among other reasons, all play a role in successfully reaching a summit. Failure to reach a particular summit due to any of the aforementioned reasons are not within our control, and therefore are not refundable and no credits will be issued. Lastly, At NorthxSouth Expeditions, your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and as such, we will not put you as the client, or our guides, at undue risk of injury, or death, in order to achieve reaching a summit.
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Age Policy
All trip participants must be 18 years or older at the time of your booking. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
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Travel Delay & Travel Issues Policy
We understand that travel delays and issues can be frustrating and inconvenient. In the event of a travel delay due to transportation issues, missing baggage, or other unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we will make every effort to minimize the impact on your itinerary, but unfortunately cannot make any guarantees.
Due to being outside of our control, NorthxSouth Expeditions assumes no responsibility for any of the aforementioned issues. You will bear the financial responsibility for any expenses incurred due to travel delays, missing baggage, or the need for additional arrangements to be made on your behalf. Please see our Travel Insurance Policy for additional information.
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ADA Compliancy Policy
Website Accessibility
We are committed to making our websites accessible to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. To report a problem or to request an accommodation to access online materials, information, resources, and/or services, please contact info@northxsouthexpeditions.com. In your message, please include the the specific problems you have encountered. We take your feedback seriously and will consider it as we evaluate ways to accommodate all of our customers and our overall accessibility policies. Additionally, while we do not control such vendors, we strongly encourage vendors of third-party digital content to provide content that is accessible and user-friendly.