New Zealand - Adventures Down Under
Sue Lach/Andrea Deaton
12/28/07-1/14/08
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
New Zealand - Adventures Down Under
Leader Sue Lach
Co-leader Andrea Deaton
New Zealand
12/28/07-1/14/08
Total # of days 17
Hiking
Downhill skiing
Kayaking
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Backpacking
Cultural
Road biking
Nordic ski
Mountain biking
Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Max 10
$ 1800
$ 1400 - 1600
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Min 8
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Scouting
Sue Lach
73 Amherst Drive, Manchester, CT 06042
suelach@sbcglobal.net
Home 215-732-6791
Work 215-573-3337
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 06/07 will re-certify
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 04/07 will re-certify
Please list the last three longer (5+ day) trips you have led for the AMC including
destination, type of trip, dates and number of participants. Feel free to list additional
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you
are proposing.
Co-Leader - Belize - 11/02-12/06
Andrea Deaton
1528 Naudain St., Apt. #1, Philadelphia, PA 19146
adeaton@xpn.org
Home 215-732-6791
Work 215-573-3337
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 05/08
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 05/07 will recertify
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be a major excursions
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:

To lead a major excursion you must have current CPR and WFA at the time of your trip (or AWFA for all backcountry
trips). If you do not have the required level of certification at the time you submit your proposal or it will expire before
the date of your trip, you will need to make arrangements to recertify in a timely manner.
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 5
New Zealand - Adventures Down Under
Sue Lach/Andrea Deaton
Have either of you led this trip
before or traveled to this
area?
Languages
Does either the co-leader or
leader speak the local
language?
Couples
Do the leader and co-leader
have a significant personal
relationship?
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that
are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
12/28/07-1/14/08
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
If yes, please list who has agreed to be your back-up in case one or
both of you need to drop out. This is required for approval!
Yes
No
If yes, please note that you cannot advertise AMC and private trips
together unless there is a clear distinction between the two in any marketing
materials you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
Accommodations
Please describe your plan for
accommodation(s)
Meals
Please describe your plan for
providing meals
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Pre-trip activities
Do you plan to get your group
together before the trip for an
activity or social event?
Conservation, education and
recreation
How will this major excursion
meet the mission of the AMC?
www.outdoors.org/about/
mission.cfm
Revised 7/15/2016
Seven days of hut-to-hut backpacking in Mt. Aspring and Fiordland National Parks
(Routeburn and Milford Tracks), combined with 5 days of kayaking and backpacking in
Abel Tasman Natioanl Park. Two free days to explore Queenstown and Nelson. All
activities will take place on the South Island.
Accomodations will consist of huts along the Routeburn and Milford Tracks which are
similar to the AMC huts except quests cook for themselves in fully equiped kitchens.
Tents will utilized for the kayaking and hiking portion of the trip in Abel Tasman
National Park. Lodging in Queenstown and Nelson will be very simple at the hostel
level.
Includes all breakfasts and dinners on the backpack trip. Participants will be responsible
for all meals in the towns, as well as for hiking lunches and trail snacks. Meals for the
kayak portion will be provided by the outfitter.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
All backcountry camping in New Zealand requires permits for both the huts and trails.
All permits for the Routeburn and Milford Tracks will be acquired through the
Department of Conservation which starts taking reservations on or before July 1, 2007
via the web. The permits for the backpacking trip in Abel Tasman will be acquired by
Abel Tasment Kayaks, the outfitter which we will be using for the trip.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
All equipment necessary for a backpacking trip, excluding sleeping pads, stoves and
tents. The huts contain all of this gear. For the kayaking trip, the outfitter, Abel Tasman
Kayaks, will provide the kayaks, PFD's, paddles and all necessary gear for camping
(tents, sleeping pads, stoves, etc.)
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Pre-trips will be scheduled to allow the group to meet prior to the trip. Ideally, an
overnight in the White Mountains and one or two day hikes will be scheduled. This is all
contingent on the location of the participants.
New Zealand has preserved a third of its landscape as parks or wilderness areas, making
it the home of the largest national park system in the southern hemisphere. The flora and
fauna are spectacular; much is unique to New Zealand. The South Island has several
different microclimates, including rainforest, mountains, and coast. This trip will
explore several different zones in an attempt to learn about the unique ecology and
geography.
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5
New Zealand - Adventures Down Under
Sue Lach/Andrea Deaton
12/28/07-1/14/08
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour
operator or guide service
during part, or the entire
trip?
Name of tour operator/guide
service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information
about their safety record.
Insurance
Do they have liability
insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’
response plan in the case of an
emergency.
Yes
No
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
A guide service will be utilize for the 3 day kayak portion because neither leader
has kayak certification and would feel uncomfortable about taking a group out
without guides.
Abel Tasman Kayaks
http://www.abeltasmankayaks.co.nz
Unknow at this time.
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
additional insured?
Per the following website: http://www.abeltasmankayaks.co.nz/kayaking/atk_safety/
We consider your safety to be paramount!
We have a very comprehensive Safety Management Programme in place which is
externally audited to ensure our systems and operating procedures are of the highest
standard in the industry.
Abel Tasman Kayaks is also a member of the Sea Kayak Operators Association of New
Zealand (SKOANZ) which has been the leading force in safety on the water for sea
kayak operators throughout New Zealand.
All of our guides are certified through SKOANZ or have approved equivalent
qualifications. The majority of our experienced guides have extra qualifications through
outdoor adventure studies and local training.
Other training includes comprehensive First Aid, boatmasters, weather forecasting and
local history of the Park.
Abel Tasman Kayaks has an annual replacement programme for the kayaks and gear to
ensure that you are using equipment that is the best available on the market. We have a
documented maintenance programme so that all our gear is maintained regularly.
RISK ASSESSMENT
Please assess the risks and hazards of your trip. Carefully consider each area of risk and how it may affect your trip.
Devise a plan to prevent each hazard and to respond to it if it becomes necessary. Please be very specific for each section
if applicable.
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Rain, river crossings, tidal currents, altitude
Response
The Department of Conservation has people on the scene. Trails are closed when
considered to be too dangerous. Temporary bridges are provided when river levels get
too high. We are aware that several tidal crossings on the Abel Tasman Coast Track are
dangerous except for several hours around low water, and will consult tide tables
appropriately. Altitude does not exceed 4200 feet, and is therefore not a major concern.
Kayak Portion - 3 days will be spent on the river. There is the risk of capsized boats but
participants will be screened for intermiediate level kayaking abilities and experienced to
handle out of boat situations. The guides will also be monitoring the conditions and will
inform us whether it is too dangerous to proceed with the trip. If the conditions on the
river pose harzardous, there are "bail out" points the can be utilized for safety.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
None
Response
New Zealand is extremely stable, both politically and economically. The official
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
New Zealand - Adventures Down Under
Sue Lach/Andrea Deaton
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
12/28/07-1/14/08
language is English. The people are probably more peaceable than in the US.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Road accidents
We will be using public buses and shuttle services. We do plan not to rent vehicles
during the trip.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Experience level, health, group dynamics
We will take screening seriously. Participants must have at least intermediate
backpacking experience. Two of the backpacks are moderate overall, and the third is
easy. Given the distances between huts and the amount of daylight, even slower hikers
should have plenty of time to reach the day's destination.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
None
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Use as much detail as possible, and list any special
communications equipment you may need to ensure the safety of your participants. DO NOT LEAVE THIS SECTION
BLANK
Most of the trip will be conducted in the backcountry, with the exception of about four
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
days in the towns of Queenstown, Te Anau, and Nelson. All huts along the backpack
documentation, distance from
routes have a hut manager and are equipped with radios. At no time will we be more
emergency services
than 4-5 hours from the next hut. The Department of Conservation oversees each of the
National Parks and has an extensive staff of rangers and managers. Given that the parks
are extremely regulated, there is a maximum number of people allowed in the parks on
any given day. During this particular time of the year, which is high season, there will
be several people hiking these trails, so the group will never be in a remote situation.
Both leaders intend to carry copies of participant passports, emergency contact names
and insurance information. There should be no problem with language since English is
the official langauge of New Zealand.
Two-way radios will be used between the leader and co-leader.
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
As mentioned above, each hut is equipped with a radio, so help can be summoned
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
immediately. They do have the ability to fly in helicopters, which is the primary way the
evacuation from the
huts are stocked and maintained. According to the Department of Conservation website,
backcountry location if
evacuationcan only be arranged by Conservation staff.
applicable?
For the kayaking portion of the trip, there are several "bail out" points along the coast of
Abel Tasman National Park. Kayak guides will be carrying radios and are very
experienced in leading groups along the coast.
Medical care
Please describe the medical
care available in the area(s)
where you will be traveling
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
Revised 7/15/2016
All participants will be encouraged to verify their medical insurance will cover them
overseas and that it includes evacuation and repatriation insurance. If if does not, the
leaders will provide information about how to obtain evacuation and repatriation
insurance through travel insurance providers.
There are full-service hospitals in Queenstown, Te Anau and Nelson, which are the three
cities where all activities will be based out of during this trip.
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
New Zealand - Adventures Down Under
Sue Lach/Andrea Deaton
12/28/07-1/14/08
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Deposits
What deposits will be required
by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
Refunds
What is the latest date you can
cancel and still receive a full
refund?
Participant deposit
What are the initial deposit
and your schedule of
payments?
Cancellation policy
What will your cancellation
policy be for the participants?
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
Air New Zealand wants a deposit of $50 per seat reserved (paid within 3 weeks of
making the reservation) and the full balance no less than 2 months before departure. The
Department of Conservation wants full payment for huts when the reservations are made
about July 1.
90 days prior to departure if spot can be filled.
Initital deposit will be $500.
Nobody's cancellation will be allowed to raise costs for others. Minimum penalty
schedule: zero before 1 July 07, $100 from 1 July 07 to 30 Sep 07, $300 after 30 Sept 07.
If actual costs are higher, they will be assessed instead.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Maybe, down to 8, but probably not. Based on the fact that this is a popular destination,
not filling seems unlikely.
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
Club House:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 5