Day-hiking in The Swiss Alps
Paul Davis/Keith Moore
July 26 to August 10, 2008
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Day-hiking in The Swiss Alps
Leader Paul Davis
Co-leader Keith Moore
Switzerland: Bernesse Oberland, Zermatt, Val D'Herens
July 26 to August 10, 2008
Total # of days 15
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 14
$ 3,300
$ 1,100
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
Paul Davis
117 David Rd, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
pauld@worldlynx.net
Home 610-667-1144
Work 610-420-6224
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 12/2009
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 12/2008
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.
Trekking in Bhutan, scheduled October 2007 (CL Jim Lindsley)
Backpacking in Wind River Range, WY, ran August 2006 (CL Keith Moore)
Trekking in Chilean Patagonia, ran January 2006 (CL Jim Lindsley
Keith Moore
348 Hunnewell Street, Needham, MA 02494
kamoore1963@yahoo.com
Home 781-223-5822
Work 401-457-2504
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: April 2008: will recertify before then
CPR
BLS
Expiration: April 2008: will recertify before then
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
Day-hiking in The Swiss Alps
Paul Davis/Keith Moore
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?
July 26 to August 10, 2008
Paul spent summers in the Alps during college in early 1980’s.
English is common throughout Switzerland. Keith speaks both French and German, the
local languages in the areas travelled within Switzerland. Paul has "tourist-level"
compentancy in French and German from extensive travel in French and German
speaking areas of Europe plus 5 years grade-school French.
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
Revised 7/15/2016
We will be visiting three regions in Switzerland: Bernese Oberland, Zermatt and a tiny
village in the Valais, so we will be experiencing both the German and French cultural
influences as we move across the country between Zurich and Lake Geneva. This is
certainly part of our intent, as is the contrast between bustling, international Zermatt and
tiny Les Hauderes or Evolene in the Valais. Where possible we will take advantage of
the designated scenic train/bus routes between points on our itinerary. Our primary
activity however will be fairly strenuous day hikes at each location: 6-10 miles with
1,000-3,000 feet elevation gain/loss. In both Zermatt and the Bernese Oberland we will
have options to reduce elevation gain/loss by using the many lifts into the mountains, and
our travel days between locations will give everyone a bit of a rest. In addition, we will
have Swiss rail passes for everyone. As such, if some people wish to take a day off and
travel, say, to a nearby town to explore they can do so easily and safely. There are also
many options for commercial activities in Zermatt and the Grindenwald area for
participants if they choose not to hike every day
2-3 star small hotels, double rooms with private bath. We may have the option of
staying 1 night in a mountain hotel, which may have shared bath. This will be noted in
prospectus. Currently, this is only a consideration; logistics are still under consideration.
But experientially it may prove to be a big plus, and it would only be a night, when we
are going to be hiking in that area anyway.
Breakfasts and dinners will be provided by hotels where we stay (half board included in
cost estimate). Dinner on our last night in Zurich or Geneva is not included, so
participants can explore the town. Most lunches are not included. We have options to
purchase trail lunches from hotels, local markets, at restaurants in villages we hike
through etc. Participants will be given an estimate of how much money to bring for these
meals well before the trip.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
We will strongly recommend hiking sticks and require hiking boots.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 5
Day-hiking in The Swiss Alps
Paul Davis/Keith Moore
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
July 26 to August 10, 2008
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
We’ll likely have a pre-trip day-hike and pizza social in a location that appears
reasonable for most participants.
This trip is primarily recreational to enjoy the beauties of the Swiss mountains and how
they have influenced the lives of the peoples who live there. We will also provide
participants with some historical, cultural and geographic information about the country
in advance of the trip as well as during it, particularly of the regions we will visit. We
plan to spend part of a day in Sion, the capital of the French canton in which the Valais is
located. There is an interesting old section of the city, a market and two 12-13th century
buildings to visit there as well as several vineyards. In addition, we hope to visit
Chateau Chillon in Montreaux at the end of our trip.
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:
Liability? Yes
No
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
Maximum amt: $
Yes
No
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
Steep terrain, loose rocks, proximity to glaciers, possibility of snow at high elevations,
summer thunderstorms; potential for stream crossings; elevation.
Response
Careful trail selection; check trail and weather conditions day prior to hike; require full
rain gear, hiking boots and adequate warm clothing; no traveling on glaciers or any ice.
Avoid stream crossings if water is too deep or fast. Hikes for each day will be chosen
based on current conditions. There are many options for hikes - no need to choose one
with high risk. In terms of elevation, our hotels will all be at elevations under 8,000 feet.
Day hikes will go no higher than 10,500 feet.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Switzerland is probably one of the safest countries in Europe. However, crime is
everywhere. In busy places like Zermatt and Grindelwald or transfer cities there is
always the chance of pickpockets or theft. Also neither of the leaders speaks German
(although Keith is in the process of learning German) and we will be visiting areas where
German is the primary language. Participants may not feel comfortable traveling alone
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
Day-hiking in The Swiss Alps
Paul Davis/Keith Moore
Response
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
July 26 to August 10, 2008
with Swiss Pass.
Warn participants about how to guard their belongings. Never leave luggage unattended
(can check in most bus/train stations). Do not allow participants to travel alone with
Swiss Pass - at least 2 must go together. Assist them with bus/train schedules if they
wish to go on their own. Keith is in the process of learning Germany and Paul will pick
up some basic German words prior to the trip. However, most Swiss speak some
English. We will also try to find hotels in the German area where English is understood.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
The Swiss transportation system has a great safety record and it is very easy to follow
their schedules. But it is always possible to make a mistake. Our other mode of
transportation, cable-car, has a higher risk - not so much of failure as of not running or
stopping.
Do not allow people to travel alone; have backup plans if there is a schedule change;
make sure people going off on their own know schedules; when taking any
chairlift/cable-car, make sure participants have adequate warm clothing in case the car
gets stuck.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Mixed skill levels; not everyone is up to a difficult hike each day, even with days off to
rest. People are not used to the local cuisine and are unhappy with limited choice menus:
for instance, breakfast is usually a limited buffet, and dinner has 3 or 4 choices.
Offer more moderate hikes or alternate activities on some days. Communicate fully in
prospectus what people can expect for meals. Stress that there are more options for
lunch and ample opportunity to purchase special foods.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Difficulty of assembling group in foreign airport.
Plan to have flights from Boston and New York only; one leader will travel with each
group.
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
Leaders will carry all participants medical information at all times as well as emergency
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
contact cards. We will never be more than a couple of hours walk from a mountain hut,
documentation, distance from
hostel or village where a phone and usually help is available.
emergency services
The leaders will carry two-way radios plus mobile phones. The mobile phone will be
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
900MHz or 1800MHz GSM so they work in Europe.
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
Be aware on each hike of where help can be obtained. If possible get injured/ill
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
participant to nearest shelter or lift. If assistance is required in getting participant off
evacuation from the
mountain, send 2 people to nearest location to summon help. There are excellent
backcountry location if
volunteer rescue teams in the 3 locations where we will be hiking, as well as a
applicable?
proliferation of roads and cable-cars to facilitate evacuation. Evaluate medical condition
locally. If situation appears at all likely to be serious, immediately contact Major
Excursions following documented procedure.
Zermatt has a fairly full service hospital. Grindelwald has two emergency medical
Medical care
Please describe the medical
clinics and there is a hospital within a 45-minute drive in Interlaken. Les Hauderes and
care available in the area(s)
Evolene have a doctor’s office but the closest hospital is in Sion, approximately 30where you will be traveling
minutes by road.
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
Day-hiking in The Swiss Alps
Paul Davis/Keith Moore
July 26 to August 10, 2008
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?
No deposits necessary until after participants provide money.
See cancellation policy: essentially a canceller will receive as much money back as
possible, minus $75 cancellation fee.
$1,000 with trip application
$1,000 by February 1, 2008
$700 by March 15, 2008
$600 by May 1, 2008
Cancellation must be in writing, either via surface mail or electronic mail.
There is a $75 cancellation fee, plus loss of any money used that cannot be recouped.
For instance, once the airline tickets are purchased, they are owned by each participant
and no refund is possible. Where the canceller’s place can be filled from the waiting list,
some money may be recouped, which would be returned to the canceller.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
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