Essential Eligibility Criteria

Welcome to MT Sobek! Our mission is to offer our guests challenging and rewarding experiences through guided and self-guided tours to unforgettable destinations. To ensure that all participants are able to fully participate in our tours, we have established Essential Eligibility Criteria. These criteria will help you determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities required for each tour.

If not met, the EEC for a specific trip will disqualify a person from participating in that trip.  The EEC are applied uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability. The criteria exist for your own safety and that of all trip participants and staff.

If you identify an EEC that you are unable to meet, please contact MT Sobek, and we will discuss with you the potential for providing a reasonable modification or accommodation for a specific trip. A reasonable modification or accommodation is one that does not fundamentally alter the nature of the trip or the services that MT Sobek provides, pose a significant health or safety risk to the participants or trip leaders, or that would cause an undue burden or hardship on MT Sobek, including financial or administrative burdens.

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Universal

These criteria apply to all participants on any MT SOBEK tour.

Each participant must be able to…

— Perceive and comprehend the inherent risks of the activity

— Review and understand all pre-trip documents, trip policies, cancellation or payment policies, the liability of risk documents, and/or trip challenge ratings in full

— Meet the physical demands of the trip as outlined or implied on destinations, MT Sobek.com, in pre-trip documents, or by any means of communication by our staff, including but not limited to, mileage, trail conditions, safe negotiation of terrain, sleeping arrangements, drive and/or transfer times, visual identification of route/trail, judgment in accordance with preserving personal safety, etc.

— Withstand the environmental factors associated with the tour (e.g. temperature extremes, exposure to natural elements such as sun/precipitation/wind/elevation, water crossings, exposure to heights, proximity to wildlife and insects, etc.)

— Effectively communicate with Adventure Guides or staff, especially in the case of personal distress, injury, or need for assistance

— Be able to independently understand and follow directions and instructions given by Adventure Guides to avoid hazards and/or manage risks

— Independently manage all personal care or activities of daily living

— Meet daily nutrition standards for an active multi-day trip with the provided food; dietary requirements may be subject to trip- or location-specific logistical challenges

— Adjust personal pace or other variable at the request of a guide to maintain proper supervision of the group for the purposes of safety and/or compliance; all participants must be able to complete the scheduled activity within the allotted time

— Remain respectful and contribute to a safe, welcoming environment for all participants and Adventure Guides on the tour

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Tour-Specific Essential Eligibility Criteria

These criteria are in addition to the universal requirements listed above; some tours may have multiple categories that apply.

Cycling/Biking tours

Each participant must be able to…

— Wear a properly fitted cycling helmet for the duration of the tour

— Visually identify routes and hazards

— Independently mount, dismount, sit, and balance on a bicycle for the duration of the tour

— Ride at a pace sufficient to complete the course as prescribed in the tour description, generally 8-12mph.

— Adapt to terrain changes brought on by inclement weather and changing light conditions. This may include rain, snow, ice, cold, tree cover, etc.

Hiking Tours

Each participant must be able to…

— Walk for the prescribed tour duration and complete the course as prescribed in the tour description

— Independently navigate rough terrain, including safely maneuvering around and across rocks, slippery and uneven surfaces, under low branches, and around vegetation. This includes the ability to maintain your balance near precipitous ledges or cliffs

— Walk and maintain your balance on hiking trails, including trails with rocks, roots, and low branches

— Carry your own water, snacks, and essential gear as listed in the tour description

— Hike at a pace sufficient to complete the tour as prescribed in the tour description, generally 2-3mph.

— Carry your own personal health and care items such as an inhaler, allergy pen, or other required items and if taking prescription medications, have the ability to maintain proper dosage by medicating independently

Tours involving access to bodies of water

Each participant must be able to…

— Independently wade across and/or swim (defined as safe and timely forward progress while keeping head above water) through bodies of water, even those with a strong current. Position yourself in the water to different swimming positions

— If a watercraft is involved: hold their breath while under water; independently enter and exit the watercraft, even in the event of an emergency evacuation; sit upright in a seated position, or in the position of maximum safety, for the entirety of the activity

— Wear a properly fitted life vest or other required safety gear

— Independently remain in an appropriate and safe body position, while in or on the paddle craft, for the duration of the course

— Raft: independently to stay balanced and seated in a raft on a raft tube or equipment with significant jostling and motion while simultaneously being able to grip and hold on to the raft with at least one hand.

— Kayak: balanced, upright and seated position propelling the watercraft forward effectively with a paddle

— Stand Up Paddleboard: balanced standing or kneeling position propelling the watercraft forward effectively with a paddle

Tours involving transportation by vehicle

Each participant must be able to…

— Independently enter and exit the provided vehicle, even in the event of an emergency evacuation; sit upright in a seated position while wearing approved seatbelt for the entirety of the transfer time

Tours taking place on public lands

Each participant must be able to…

— Adhere to all rules, laws, and regulations put forth by the land management agency or Tribal agency (e.g. National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Forest Service, etc.)

— Practice Leave No Trace principles (LNT.org)