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Booking & Deposit Policy

• Deposit: To secure your AMGA guide, date, and permit reservation, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking.

• Remaining Balance: The remaining 50% balance will be automatically charged to your card on file 7 days priorto your scheduled trip.

• Short-Notice Bookings: For any trips booked within 7 days of the departure date, full payment is required at checkout.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

Because our guides block out their schedules and turn away other work for your trip, we enforce a strict cancellation timeline:

• Cancellations 30+ Days Out: You may cancel your trip for a full refund of your deposit (minus a 10% processing fee), or transfer 100% of your deposit to a digital credit voucher valid for 365 days.

• Cancellations 7 to 29 Days Out: Your 50% deposit is forfeited. However, if we are able to rebook your guide with another party, we will gladly issue you a digital credit voucher for a future trip.

• Cancellations Within 7 days / No-Shows: Inside of 7 days, the remaining balance is charged, and the trip is 100% non-refundable and non-transferable. Your guide will be compensated in full for their time.

Weather Safety & The "Pivot Protocol"

Rock climbing and canyoneering in Western North Carolina are highly weather-dependent. Wet rock presents a legitimate safety hazard. Therefore, we utilize the following safety policy:

• The Guide Makes the Call: Our AMGA-certified Lead Guides monitor mountain radar constantly. Trips run rain or shine, and Appalachian Climbing School makes the final decision on whether conditions are safe.

• The Pivot Protocol: If rain or moisture makes climbing unsafe at our primary location (such as Looking Glass Rock or Moore's Wall), your guide will pivot the trip to an alternative dry crag, a partner indoor climbing facility, or transition the session into a high-value specialized technical clinic (e.g., anchor building, traditional gear placement, knots, or self-rescue systems).

• Weather Refunds: Refunds or reschedules due to weather are only issued if the Lead Guide determines that conditions are universally unsafe across all regional crags and backup options. Client-initiated cancellations due to personal forecast preferences are subject to our standard cancellation policy.

Participant Requirements

• Minors (Under 18): Persons under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian unless agreed upon prior to the outing. All persons under the age of 18 must have a current release form completed by a parent or guardian.

• Age Limit: The minimum age for participation in Appalachian Climbing School programs is 6 years old. Children under 6 are not allowed to attend in any capacity.

• Pets: Pets are not allowed on any program.

• Sobriety: Persons who are under the influence of alcohol or other substances are strictly prohibited from participating in Appalachian Climbing School programs.