Scotland s West Highland Way with Optional Ben Nevis Climb

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1 Scotland s West Highland Way with Optional Ben Nevis Climb Leaders: Polly Hays and Joan Rossiter Dear Fellow CMC Member: Thank you for your interest in the Adventure Travel outing Scotland s West Highland Way and Ben Nevis Climb. This letter includes several pages including: Trip Itinerary Cancellation Policy Trip Application Personal Risk Statement and Payment Cancellation Policy Statement (for Signature). To apply for a place on the outing, please complete the enclosed Trip Application and Risk Statement and Payment Cancellation Policy and return them to the trip leader: Polly Hays at 2539 W. 34 th Avenue, Denver, CO 80211; OR scan the application and risk statement and return via at polly_hays@yahoo.com. After you apply, you will be contacted by the trip leader or co-leader to discuss any questions you may have. Once approved for the trip, you will be asked to submit a $500 deposit to the CMC to reserve a place (see cancellation policy in the application). Please do not send money before it is requested. Please review the information below as you consider applying for this trip: The group will have a maximum of 14 persons including 12 participants and 2 leaders. All accommodation is double occupancy. The in-country trip cost is $3,200 for members, $3,500 for non-members. The trip cost includes: CMC leader led hiking along the 95 mile West Highland Way trek and the optional Ben Nevis climb; All lodging, tips, and in-country transportation except airport transfers: Most meals, except 2 travel days and lunch on Ben Nevis climb day; Entrance into Edinburgh, Stirling, and Eilean Donan castles, and a distillery tour Not included in the trip cost: Airfare to/from Edinburgh, Scotland; airport transfers; occasional meals as noted in itinerary; optional West Highland Railway/Ferry excursion; drinks; souvenirs; and other personal expenses. Trip qualifications: good physical conditioning (equivalent of CMC difficult B and C hikes), and the ability to hike for multiple days over a variety of terrains and elevations. Hikes will be approximately 7-16 miles, with most days over 10 miles and gain averaging 1,200 to 3,000 feet. (The optional climb of Ben Nevis is 12 miles and 4,409 feet in gain.) In addition, a good attitude, sense of humor, patience, and willingness to travel with a group are highly recommended!

2 Equipment Needs: Sturdy hiking boots, and a roomy and comfortable day pack (30-40 l) that will carry equipment comparable to what you would bring on a typical Colorado day hike during the summer months, with additional cold weather gear for the optional climb of Ben Nevis at the end of the trip. Additional equipment and packing recommendations will be provided during the trip planning meeting. You will need a valid passport, but no visa is required to enter Scotland. Pre-Trip Planning: Once the group is assembled, we will schedule a pre-trip planning meeting, as well as get to know you/conditioning hikes. Attendance at a minimum of one of the conditioning hikes will be required. Attendance at the planning meeting will be important as there will be much to discuss. If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, we can set up a virtual meeting link for you. Topics will include suggested equipment, packing, training, cultural notes, and security precautions. A selection of handouts and guidebooks will be available for your review. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have as you consider this trip. Looking forward to meeting you. Polly Hays Joan Rossiter

3 Scotland s West Highland Way with Optional Ben Nevis Climb Leaders: Polly Hays and Joan Rossiter Itinerary Summary: Date Day May 08, 2017 (Mon) May 09, 2017 (Tuesday) May 10, 2017 (Wednesday) May 11, 2017 (Thursday) May 12, 2017 (Friday) May 13, 2017 (Saturday) May 14, 2017 (Sunday) May 15, 2017 (Monday) May 16, 2017 (Tuesday) May 17, 2017 (Wednesday) May 18, 2017 (Thursday) May 19, 2017 (Friday) May 20, 2017 (Saturday) Activity (distances are approximate) Travel from U.S. to Edinburgh, Scotland. Arrival in Edinburgh, Scotland Visit Edinburgh Castle in morning (tickets included), travel to starting point of trek in Milngavie (en route - short visit to Stirling, the Wallace Monument & lunch) Walk from Milngavie to Dryman (16 miles), along the valleys of Blane and Endrick with good views of Campsie Fells Walk from Dryman to Rowardennan (16 miles), with panoramic views of Loch Lomond. Walk from Rowardennan to Inverarnan (16 miles), passing the falls of Inversnaid and caves in which the scoundrel Rob Roy hid Walk from Inverarnan to Tyndrum (13 miles), between the craggy mountain tops Walk from Tyndrum to Bridge of Orchy (7 miles), in the shadow of munros Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dòthaidh, Walk from Bridge of Orchy to Kingshouse (12 miles), see the magnificent hills of Glen Coe and Glen Eive and hike along the Rannoch Moors. Walk from King's House to Kinlochleven (10 miles), over the Devil's Staircase (the trek's highpoint at 1,804 feet, with less than 1,000' of gain) Walk from Kinlochleven to Fort William (17 miles), the destination of the trek at the foot of Ben Nevis. Weather permitting, today s options include: Ben Nevis (Scotland and the U.K. s highpoint) climb. 12 miles (roundtrip) on good trails to the 4,409 ft summit (about 4,300 feet of gain); OR West Highland Railway to Mallaig/Ferry to Armadale (Isle of Skye) Excursion Visit to Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle (tickets included), and visit Scotch distillery. Overnight in Edinburgh.

4 Date Day May 21, 2017 (Sunday) Activity (distances are approximate) Return to U.S. Scotland s West Highland Way and Optional Ben Nevis Climb Cancellation Policy: Cancellation 91 days (Date: 2/7/2017) or more prior to departure: If a qualified, wait listed, person is available to take a vacated slot and pays all money due, all payments made by the cancelling party will be refunded, less a $100 processing fee. If no one is available to take a vacated slot, all money paid in will be refunded, less the $500 deposit. Cancellation 46 (Date: 3/23/2017) up to Day 90 prior to departure: If a qualified, wait listed, person is available to take a vacated slot and pays all money due, all payments made by the cancelling party will be refunded less a $300 processing fee. If no one is available to take a vacated slot, 1/2 of paid-in money will be refunded. If only the $500 deposit has been paid in, in this instance, then the deposit is not-refundable. Cancellation 45 (Date: 3/24/2017) or fewer days prior to departure: No refund will be made. All participants are strongly encouraged to purchase travel /trip cancellation/evacuation insurance to cover trip costs and medical matters that may occur during the trip.

5 Adventure Travel Trip Application Participant: please print, sign and mail (or digitally sign and submit) to: Polly Hays, 2539 W. 34 th Avenue, Denver, CO OR scan the application and risk statement and return via to Keep a copy for yourself. Scotland s West Highland Way and Optional Ben Nevis Climb Leader: Polly Hays; Co- Leader Joan Rossiter Address: 2539 W. 34 th Avenue, Denver, CO polly_hays@yahoo.com Name: Address: Phone: (Day) (Evening) address: Gender: Male Female Age: Occupation: (For foreign trips only) Passport Number: Expiration Date: Passport must be valid for 6 months after departure of destination country. Place of Issue: Date of Issue: Emergency Contact: Name: Phone: Relationship: State of health (applicant must disclose all medical conditions which may affect the success of this trip): List of medications you are taking: Allergies:

6 Medical concerns: CMC Member? Yes No (If you are not a CMC Member you will need to sign a Guest Release of Liability Waiver) Member #: CMC Group affiliation (e.g. Denver, Boulder): Describe your background in outdoor activities as it relates to this trip (e.g. hiking, and travel). Please, focus on activities from the last year or two: Your fitness level (select one): Excellent Good Fair Dietary restrictions, food allergies, dietary preference (note: dietary restrictions may not be able to be accommodated): Note: See next page for Personal Risk Statement and Payment and Cancellation Policy

7 Scotland s West Highland Way and Ben Nevis Climb Personal Risk Statement The world can be a dangerous place. Participants are responsible for making their own travel decisions. Participants should keep themselves apprised of travel restrictions and warnings announced by the State Department and decide their own level of risk. The CMC goes to great lengths to provide safe, quality domestic and international cultural, educational and adventure trips. Before trips are sanctioned by the CMC, trip leaders are screened for their qualifications to lead the trip and their trip proposals are carefully considered. Every effort is made to assure the trip will go as announced. One risk is that sometimes trips must be canceled by the CMC or the trip leader for a variety of reasons. These may range from failure to meet the trip s minimum participation requirement to political unrest in the destination country. Payment and Cancelation Policy: All requests for cancellation must be submitted in writing (letter or ) to the trip leader. Cancellation 91 days (Date: 2/7/2017) or more prior to departure: If a qualified, wait listed, person is available to take a vacated slot and pays all money due, all payments made by the cancelling party will be refunded, less a $100 processing fee. If no one is available to take a vacated slot, all money paid in will be refunded, less the $500 deposit. Cancellation 46 (Date: 3/23/2017) up to Day 90 prior to departure: If a qualified, wait listed, person is available to take a vacated slot and pays all money due, all payments made by the cancelling party will be refunded less a $300 processing fee. If no one is available to take a vacated slot, 1/2 of paid-in money will be refunded. If only the $500 deposit has been paid in, in this instance, then the deposit is not-refundable. Cancellation 45 (Date: 3/24/2017) or fewer days prior to departure: No refund will be made. Participants are strongly encouraged to purchase travel/cancellation/evacuation insurance. After you are accepted on the trip, don t wait to purchase your travel insurance! Please sign and date the application, and return it to the trip leader. You cannot sign up for the trip with CMC until the trip leader approves this application. I have read and agree to the Personal Risk Statement and the Payment and Cancelation Policy. I have completed this application truthfully. Signature Date

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