Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form Morocco February 2009 /
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form
Morocco February 2009
The following pages contain the application to lead an AMC Major Excursion. Please complete the form with as much detail as possible, and attach additional sheets if necessary. Also include a detailed budget/costing sheet that clearly shows all costs associated with your planned excursion. The trip proposal form and budget are due two weeks prior to the MEC meeting in which it will be reviewed. Deadlines will be posted on the MEC leader website ( http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ ) and sent to you on the MEC leader listserv well in advance of the meeting. The MEC will not accept late proposals unless the chair is notified in advance with a compelling reason.
Incomplete applications will be returned to you and not reviewed until complete, so please make sure to fill in all applicable sections.
The application was created in a Microsoft Word protected document. To fill in each section click on the check box and/or on the grey text box and start typing. The boxes will automatically get larger as you fill in text. If you find that you need a lot of space to explain a section, please say “see additional attachment” and attach a separate page.
In addition, the following are helpful during the review process, but need only be submitted after your proposal is accepted:
50 and 150 word notices for the AMC Outdoors and www.outdoors.org
. Please see the current rules - http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings/ and schedule for submitting notices for the AMC Outdoors .
Trip prospectus – without the application forms attached – in Microsoft Word or PDF format
Finally, we need to have on file at Joy Street, the following documents:
A completed confidential medical form for the leader and co-leader (after approval is given)
Copies of first aid and CPR certifications for leader and co-leader (before or after approval is given)
A completed application to be a co-leader if the co-leader is new (before proposal is submitted)
We will accept snail mail applications, but electronic forms are preferred. Please save and forward your electronic document with the following naming convention:
Leader’s last name, trip destination, year of trip and what type of document it is (application, budget,
Outdoors listing or prospectus)
For example, Smith-New Zealand-2007-Application.doc or Smith-New Zealand-2007-Budget.xls
Revised 4/13/2020 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 7
Applications should be sent electronically to the MEC Chair, Stacia Zukroff, at mecchair@amcboston.org
and to dturner@outdoors.org
. They can be mailed to: Travel Programs Coordinator, 5 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108. If you have any questions, please contact Stacia at: 781-648-5503 or mecchair@amcboston.org
.
Revised 4/13/2020 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 7
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip check all that apply
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Morocco Trek & Sights
Leader John Lisker Co-leader Robin Melavalin
Morocco - Anti-Atlas Mountains, Marrakech and Essaouira
February 12-28, 2009
Hiking
Total # of days
Downhill skiing
17
Kayaking
Backpacking Cultural Road biking
Nordic ski Mountain biking Snorkeling
Other – please describe
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Smaller trips and leader subsidization
Max 10
$ 2300
$
Min 8
Does it include airfare? Yes No
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? The trek route is remoteness from medical care, and the first aid training of the Moroccan outfitter personnel is uncertain.
The trip is to a country with a significantly different culture; it's much easier for
12 people to keep track of each other than for 16 to do the same.
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain why? ditto
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name John Lisker
Leader address 2390 Commonwealth Avenue, Auburndale, MA 02466
Leader email john.lisker@juno.com
Leader phone Home 617-244-1636 Work n/a
Wilderness first aid training
WFA AWFA WFR Expiration: Dec 08; will take course again
CPR training
CPR BLS Expiration: Jan 09
Prior leading experience 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.
Trip one New Zealand backpack & culture, 3-19 Feb 07, 10 participants
Trip two San Juans (Colorado) backpack 1999, 10 participants
Trip three Crete (Greece) hiking & culture 1999, 9 participants
Other related trip experience participant: private trip similar to this one, February, 2004. led: Wind River (Wyoming) base camp backpack 1998, 6 participants; Maroon Bells
(Colorado) backpack 1997, 3 participants; High Sierras (California) backpack 1996, 7 participants
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 4/13/2020 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 7
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Robin Melavalin
11 Cuthbert Road, West Roxbury, MA 02132
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone rmelavalin@rcn.com
Home 617.323.3374 Work 617.521.2490
Wilderness first aid training* WFA AWFA WFR Expiration: April 2010
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
CPR BLS Expiration: April 2010
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?
Yes
John did this trip in February of 2004 with Martin Hunt (an English friend of Kathy
Didier), who used the same Moroccan outfitter, Slimane Baadoud. He has been consulting with Martin, who returns to the same area in Morocco annually, and always employs Slimane's organization.
Co-leader: Yes No
Leader: Yes No
Not applicable:
Yes
No
No
If yes, please describe below:
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!
Private trips
Do either of you lead trips that are private - not sponsored by
the AMC?
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.
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?
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Trek across the Anti-Atlas Mountains covering 90 miles in eight hiking days, and enjoy
1.5 days exploring Marrakech at the beginning and another 1.5 days in Essaouira on the coast at the end. The trek is fully supported, with mules, muleteers, guide, cook, and most equipment provided. We carry day packs; the mules carry the rest. The trails are good by White Mountain standards, and climbing is modest.
Hotel Ali in Marrakech, 2-person tents while trekking, and Hotel Riad Nakhla in
Essaouira, unidentified modest lodging in Casablanca. All camping supplies are provided except participants must bring a sleeping bag, and a supplemental camping mat is also recommended.
All meals while on the trek are included. Breakfasts in Marrakech, Essaouira, Casablanca and dinners in Marrakech are included. Participants will need to buy lunches in
Marrakech and Essaouira, and dinners in Essaouira and Casablanca..
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:
Tour operator says his trip is all inclusive. Martin Hunt agrees.
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?
A careful screening process will ensure all participants are physically fit, can hike for 5-7 hours a day over rough ground, and can handle being away from civilization for 10 days
Revised 4/13/2020 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 7
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 in a row.
Yes No If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Dinner at Tangierino Restaurant in Charlestown, MA. Possible visit to exhibit at
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
We will learn about the Berber culture, eat various Moroccan foods, and explore the cities of Marrakech and Essaouira. While trekking, the guide will talk about about local geology, minerals, birds, plants and trees (wild and cultivated). Robin is a cultural anthropologist and will share information about the Moroccan people and their ways of life.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
Will this trip require a tour operator or guide service during part, or the entire trip?
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:
See Executive Summary above. The leaders don't speak the local languages, or know the local customs well enough to be comfortable going alone..
Slimane Baadoud Name of tour operator/guide service
Tour operator website
Safety record
Please provide information about their safety record. www.maroctrekking.com
Of course Slimane says his outfit has had no problems. More significantly, Martin Hunt keeps going back. Slimane has thought about procedures for medical emergencies. On one occasion, a participant suffered a heart attack and had to be evacuated to Marrakech..
Insurance
Do they have liability insurance?
Emergency response
Please describe the outfitters’ response plan in the case of an emergency.
Liability? Yes No
Are they willing to list AMC as an additional insured?
Maximum amt: $
Yes No
The route is no more than 4 hours by mule from a 4x4 track. The crew knows the area well, carries cell phones, and knows how to arrange to meet a vehicle. Slimane says helicopter evacuation can be arranged. (I doubt that normal cell phones have coverage everywhere.).
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.
Climate/terrain
Potential hazards
Trail conditions, river crossings, weather, wildlife (bears, snakes, etc.)
Trails are in generally good condition. Though rarely seen, snakes, scorpions and palm rats live in the mountains.
Response
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Participants will be encouraged to look where they are stepping.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Emergency and specialized care is below U.S. standards, especially outside the major cities, and in backcountry will not be immediately available at all. Panhandling and pickpocketing are only minor concerns, and only in urban areas.
Response
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
Participants
Leaders have AWFA training and CPR, and carry a medical kit and a Moroccan phone card for emergencies. Participants will be in the big city only briefly (Marrakech for only one full day and some hours of others, and Casablanca only overnight), and will be encouraged to be careful
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Traffic accidents are a hazard in Morocco.
We will be driven by local professional drivers. We will not rent or drive any vehicles, except possibly in case of emergency.
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Revised 4/13/2020 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 7
Potential hazards
Response
Other
Potential hazards
Response
Skill level, health, group dynamics
The leaders will screen for these factors. Participants should practice good fitness and be prepared for 10-mile hiking days.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Women walking alone may be vulnerable to harassment from men.
The group will stay together most of the time. Women will be advised to dress modestly, not to travel alone, and to ignore any harassment.
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
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language, documentation, distance from emergency services
Leaders will carry a Moroccan phone card and possibly a satellite phone (from the AMC if it is available); tour operator has normal cell phones. The police emergency services phone number is 190. On the trek, a multi-lingual local guide will be available to our group and assist with language translation as necessary. The American Consulate
General in Casablanca is located at 8 Boulevard Moulay Youssef, telephone (212)(22)
26-45-50. The Consular Section's American Citizens Services hotline is daytimes
(212)(22) 26-71-51or after hours (212) (61) 17-23-67. The fax number is (212)(22) 20-
41-27. The Internet web site is http://www.usembassy-morocco.org.ma/.
If an AMC satellite phone is available, we will carry it. Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first aid or communication equipment (satellite phone, two-way radios) do you plan to use, if any?
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for evacuation from the backcountry location if applicable?
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.
The route is no more than 4 hours by mule from a 4x4 track. The crew knows the area well, carries cell phones, and knows how to arrange to meet a vehicle. Slimane says helicopter evacuation can be arranged. (I doubt that normal cell phones have coverage everywhere.).
The Marrakech clinic listed on the State Dept website is POLYCLINIQUE DU SUD,
Dr. Taarji BEL ABBASS (Fair to Good English), 2 Rue Yougoslavie, Gueliz, Tel: 044-
44-79-99/044-44-83-72 or Fax: 044-43-24-24.
This US Consulate link lists hospitals, clinics, physicians and pharmacies in Casablanca, which is the most convenient medical treatment location for our itinerary: http://casablanca.usconsulate.gov/casablanca.html
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
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Payment of flight deposits and costs will be determined by the airline chosen and its deadlines. At this time we are looking most seriously at Air France, which requires refundable seat deposits which the leader will front. The tour operator does not have a deposit deadline but we plan to send a deposit approx. 60 days before we arrive.
Air France will refund the deposits on unticketed seats until 91 days before departure.
Initial deposit of $500 is due with application. Second payment of $700 is due two weeks after acceptance, large enough to cover participant air fare and share of leader airfare. Final balance is due November 1, 2008.
Nobody's cancellation will be allowed to raise costs for others. Published minimum penalty schedule: zero before 1 Aug 08, $200 from 1 Aug 08 to 30 Sep 08, $400 after 30
Revised 4/13/2020 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 7
policy be for the participants? Sept 08. If actual costs are higher, they will be assessed instead.
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you do not get the minimum number?
Yes No If yes, please describe conditions:
Leaders will share costs if necessary. We are unsure how low we will go, but doubt we will go with less than 8 participants.
Reference web links:
MEC Home Page:
Forms:
Deadlines:
Club House:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
MEC Chair:
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/ http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/ http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/listings amcexcursions@outdoors.org amcexcursions@outdoors.org mecchair@amcboston.org
Revised 4/13/2020 Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 7 of 7
