Trip Insurance

We highly advise the purchase of trip insurance to protect against cancellations or unexpected changes. The most common reasons guests may need to make a claim include missing the trip due to forest fires or public land closures. Trip insurance can also cover health concerns, unforeseen delays, reroutes, natural disasters, and more. Be sure to review available options and choose coverage that best suits your needs.

Deposits & Payments

All deposits are non-refundable and cannot be credited or transferred.

• Private Rock Days: Full payment is required at the time of booking, which includes a $100 non-refundable deposit per guide scheduled.

• Half Dome Day Hikes: Full payment is required at the time of booking, which includes a $100 non-refundable deposit per guest.

• Rock Skills Classes: Full payment is required at the time of booking, which includes a $50 non-refundable deposit per guest.

• Multi-day Public Trips: A non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your spot. Deposits are $250 for trips under $1,600 and $450 for trips over $1,600.

• Private/Custom Trips: A $450 non-refundable deposit per person is required at booking to reserve your spot on our calendar.

All outstanding balances must be paid no later than 60 days before the trip, and guests with a payment method on file will be charged automatically when due.

Cancellation Policy

• Day Trips: Cancellations made at least 8 days before the trip departure are eligible for a full refund, minus the non-refundable deposit. Cancellations within 7 days of the trip or after it has begun are not eligible for a refund or credit.

• Multi-day Public Trips: Cancellations made at least 60 days before departure are eligible for a full refund, minus the deposit. If canceled within 60 days of departure, a credit for payments made (less deposit) will be issued, valid for up to two years. This credit can be applied to future trips or transferred to family or friends. A new deposit will be required when rebooking. No refunds or credits will be issued for unused portions of a trip.

• Multi-day Private/Custom Trips: Cancellations made 30-59 days prior to trip departure are eligible for a 50% refund, excluding the non-refundable deposit. There are no refunds for cancellations made 0-29 days prior to trip departure or after the trip has begun. No refunds or credits will be issued for unused portions of a trip.

Trips Canceled or Changed by WSA

In rare instances, unforeseen circumstances may require us to cancel or modify an itinerary. These could include bad weather, inaccessible trails, natural disasters (such as forest fires), or other conditions deemed unsafe. In such cases, WSA’s responsibility is limited to refunding any trip fees you’ve already paid. We are not responsible for any additional costs, such as airfare or lodging, that you may incur as a result of cancellations or changes.

If a trip cannot be executed as planned, we will make every effort to create an alternative itinerary that maintains the key aspects of the original trip. However, your safety is our highest priority, and we reserve the right to entirely re-route the trip if necessary.

No refunds will be issued for cancellations or changes due to weather, trail conditions, forest fires, disease outbreaks, or other unforeseen events. If we cancel a trip in advance due to unsafe conditions, we will issue a credit for any payments made (less the deposit). This credit is valid for up to two years and can be applied to future trips or transferred to family or friends but cannot be used for merchandise or non-trip-related purchases. We strongly recommend Trip Cancellation Insurance if you are uncomfortable in any way with these policies.

Guide Compensation

Non-refundable deposits and payments help ensure guides are compensated for lost work due to cancellations. Guiding is a seasonal profession, and a canceled trip—especially a late one—can significantly impact a guide’s income, as it often leaves them unable to find replacement work on short notice. If a trip is canceled within 30 days, and we are unable to replace the lost work, the guide will still receive their full wage. Western Sierra Adventures is committed to supporting our guides and making the guiding profession sustainable.

Emergency Care

All Western Sierra Adventures guides are trained Wilderness First Responders (WFR), equipped to handle a wide range of backcountry medical situations. In the event of an accident, illness, or other unforeseen emergency, WSA guides will provide appropriate first aid to the best of their abilities and will arrange for search and evacuation assistance if deemed necessary. However, due to the remote nature of the areas we operate in, communication devices may not always function, and emergency assistance or evacuation may be delayed or difficult to arrange.

Please note that the costs associated with any evacuation (e.g., helicopter) and medical care beyond basic first aid are the financial responsibility of the ill or injured person. WSA does not provide this coverage for participants on any trips. We strongly recommend that you obtain medical and evacuation insurance, which is often available as part of a travel insurance package.

Privacy

Personal and confidential information submitted as part of the registration or approval process (such as the Experience Questionnaire and Medical Questionnaire) will only be accessed by WSA staff, medical personnel, or others who understand and respect its confidential nature. This information may be retained in hard-copy format, along with your Acknowledgment of Risks, for a period of time after your trip. Information will only be shared and retained as necessary to conduct our business, provide the services you requested, and comply with legal requirements. For details on privacy policies related to WSA’s website and digital services, please review our privacy policy.

Your Responsibility

Your safety, and the safety of others, is our top priority. To help ensure a positive experience for all participants, we ask that you fulfill the following responsibilities: provide accurate and complete personal information requested during the approval process; carefully review all trip information provided and understand the physical and mental demands, as well as the potential risks of the trip; properly equip yourself according to the recommendations from your trip leader and WSA; comply with all applicable laws; and avoid any antisocial behavior during the trip. Additionally, please follow all environmental guidelines and regulations as directed by your trip leader, and respect the rights and privacy of fellow trip members.

Photography

Western Sierra Adventures (WSA) may take photographs and/or videos during trips. By participating in a WSA trip, you grant WSA permission to capture these images and videos, and to use them for promotional or commercial purposes without any payment or compensation to you. If you prefer not to have your picture taken, please inform your guide at the start of the trip, and we will accommodate your request.

Western Sierra Adventures LLC operates under a permit from Yosemite National Park, Sierra National Forest, and Stanislaus National Forest. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.

To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at USDA Complaint Filing, or at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(a) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(b) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(c) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.