Walk Sicily's Mountains & Islands
Judith Dortz/Janet Taylor
May 12-26, 2008
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Walk Sicily's Mountains & Islands
Leader Judith Dortz
Co-leader Janet Taylor
Sicily, Aeolian Islands
May 12-26, 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
Geologic formations from earthquakes and volcanoes
Max 20
Min 14
$ apprx: $2,595
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 1,000
Is this proposal for a small group trip – i.e., less than 14 participants and 2
leaders or 7 participants and 1 leader? Yes
No
If yes, why is a small group proposed?
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain
why?
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Other related trip experience
Judith Dortz
36 Ash Street
jdortz@aol.com
Home 617-876-8516
Work
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: (2007) to be updated
CPR
BLS
Expiration: (2007) to be updated
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.
China: Sept 2006. 2 1/2 weeks/ 22 participants. Hiking, walking, cultural sites,
history,
Italy: Setp 2005. 2 weeks/ 20 participants. Hiking in the Apuane Mountains and
Cinque Terre
Hiking Tuscany and the Dolomites: 1998. 2 weeks/ 22 participants. Hiking in the hills
and mountains of Italy
Adult Education courses that include: snowshoeing, bicycling, touring
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Janet Taylor
4 Trotting Horse Dr., Lexington MA
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three

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
Walk Sicily's Mountains & Islands
Judith Dortz/Janet Taylor
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
May 12-26, 2008
jliztaylor@rcn.net
Home 781-862-1897
Work
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 2009
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 2009
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.
Scouting
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?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
We have done extensive research in the areas, are familiar with locations for all our
visits, worked with travel agent to include a private bus.
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
Sicily has 25 centuries of foreign domination and was formed via earthquakes and
volcanoes--resulting in a divers landscape and complex culture. This trip will explore
many of these features, focusing on the Madonie Mountains, Mt. Etna and environs, and
Aeolian Islands and Zingaro Nature Preserve. Fly to Palermo with transfer to Scopello
and Zingaro National Preserve for 2 days. Then to the Madonie Mountains---one of
Italy's National Parks. This 3-day stay includes daily guided hikes and visits to
historical and cultural sites. Then, ferry to Lipari and Stromboli in the Aeolion Islands
for 3 days of hiking---all with extraordinary geographic features formed from much
volcanic activity . Next, with Taormina as our base , we hike around Mt Etna, part of
the National Park and Europe's largest and most active volcano and visit historical sites. t
Small hotels and agritourism,
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
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?
Revised 7/15/2016
.All breakfasts will be served at the hotels, with dinners at local restaurants or the hotel.
Participants will purchase "picnic" lunches en route and some dinners.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Via guide books, web sites and travel agents
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
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
Walk Sicily's Mountains & Islands
Judith Dortz/Janet Taylor
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
Yes
May 12-26, 2008
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Hiking in the national parks and nauture preserves, observing the result of major
earthquakes and volanoes, and exploring the still-active Mt. Etna. All will provide
participants with a deep appreciation and enjoyment of and importance of the natural
world around us and the need of preserving it.
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:
We will have a guide for the Madonie Mountains, Mt. Etna, and Stromboli.
Not yet hired. Will inform when hired.
N/A
N/A
Liability? Yes
No
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
N/A
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
Extremes of weather on Mt Etna is always a possibility and in the Madonie Mountais.
Response
Participants will be provided with a list of appropriate clothing and foot gear
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
There is some warning regarding pickpockets in Palermo
Response
We will not be in Palerm. Participants will be reminded of risk and informed as to how
to take precautions.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
Public bus, train, and ferry and private buses. Roads are well maintained. Sea can be
rough.
Response
Though highly unlikely, there are always risks associated with motor vehicles and
ferries.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
Participants must be in fit physical condition with some hiking experience.
Response
Leaders will deterimine fitness via trip application and personal follow-up when
appropriat
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Other
Potential hazards
none
Response
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 5
Walk Sicily's Mountains & Islands
Judith Dortz/Janet Taylor
May 12-26, 2008
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
Trip will occur in highly populated areas. We will be close to any required assistance.
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
Leaders will have phone numbers for emergency communication . In the Madonie
documentation, distance from
Mountains and Mt. Etna, guides will have cell phones.
emergency services
none
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
aid or communication
equipment (satellite phone,
two-way radios) do you plan
to use, if any?
N/A
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
evacuation from the
backcountry location if
applicable?
Leaders will carry basic first aid supplies and participants will carry their own personal
Medical care
Please describe the medical
first aid supplies. We will provide a list of recommended items to pack. Ambulances
care available in the area(s)
respond to 118. Emergency treatment is provided at public hospitals. Overall health
where you will be traveling
care in Italy is very good, though standards can vary.
and list names and telephone
numbers for these facilities.
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?
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
Club House:
Revised 7/15/2016
$100/ air ticket/person when booked. $200/person hotels
TBD
With application: $1,000; March 1, 2008: $1595 (remainder).
After acceptance: $100 non-refundable; after 4/1/08: no refund unless replacement is
found.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 5
Walk Sicily's Mountains & Islands
Judith Dortz/Janet Taylor
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
Revised 7/15/2016
May 12-26, 2008
amcexcursions@outdoors.org
mecchair@amcboston.org
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 5