Dayhiking and Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps
Merri Fox/Jan Schnabel
8/27-9/11/2011
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Day hiking and Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps
Leader Merri Fox
Co-leader Jan Schnabel
Switzerland – Murren or Wengen and Zermatt
8/27-9/11/2011
Total # of days 16
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
Min 12
$ $3975
Does it include airfare? Yes No
$ 1000-1100
Yes
No
Please list online in August, even though it is only slightly earlier.
Number of participants
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
Do you wish to have you trip
listed online before it is
published in Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
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? N/a
If a participant fee increase of more than 15% is proposed, please explain
why? N/a
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
Merri Fox
115 North Street Harwinton CT 06797
merri.fox@pw.utc.com
Home 860-485-1697
Work 860-565-6435
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 4/2011
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 5/2011
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.
March 10 St. John USVI 24 participants
Belize 2009 10 participants
Switzerland day hiking 2007 16 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 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6
Dayhiking and Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps
Merri Fox/Jan Schnabel
8/27-9/11/2011
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training*
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Janice Schnabel
30 Mountain Terrace Rd. West Hartford CT 06107
Janice.Schnabel@pw.utc.com
Home 860-561-2290
Work 860-565-5168
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 4/2011
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 4/2011
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:
Leader led trip to Switzerland in 2007. This trip will be very similar to that trip, except
we will hike in only 2 areas (Zermatt and Bernese Oberland) to maximize time in those
places and reduce travel. This is based on feedback from prior trip.
Co-leader: Yes
No
Leader: Yes
No
Not applicable:
Leader speaks passable French which has proven helpful in the Valais region
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!
Executive summary
Please provide a brief
description of the trip and the
activities planned.
We will be visiting 2 regions in Switzerland: the Bernese Oberland and Zermatt, so we
will be experiencing both the German and French cultural influences as we move across
the country between Zurich and Lake Geneva. 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 (5-10 miles, 10002500 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 so if two or more wish to take a day off and travel, say, to
a nearby town to explore they can do so easily and safely. This is another way to shorten
hikes for those who wish something less strenuous – to start with group and return by
public transport along the route. There are also many options for commercial activities
in Zermatt and the Grindenwald area for participants if they chose not to hike every day.
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)
Revised 7/15/2016
3 star small hotels, double rooms with private bath.
Breakfasts and dinners are included at the hotel and are substantive; participants can
purchase lunch fixings at local markets, premade sandwiches and pastries or opt to have
a sit-down meal at a mountain hut/hostel when we will be passing one. We will advise
participants to estimate $15/day for lunches which will be more than adequate on
average over the stay.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
Na
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
na
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 6
Dayhiking and Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps
Merri Fox/Jan Schnabel
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
8/27-9/11/2011
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?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
We hope to do a local hike and get acquainted event for those within reasonable driving
distance of a central point.
This is primarily a recreational trip 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 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 12th-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:
Na
na
na
Liability? Yes
No
Are they willing to list AMC as an
additional insured?
na
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 and morning of 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
chose one with high risk. In terms of elevation, our hotels will all be at elevations under
5500 feet. Days hikes will go no higher than 10,500 feet
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6
Dayhiking and Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps
Merri Fox/Jan Schnabel
Potential hazards
Response
Transportation
Potential hazards
Response
8/27-9/11/2011
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
and we will be visiting areas where German is the primary language. Participants may
not feel comfortable traveling alone with Swisspass
Warn participants about how to guard their belongings. Never leave luggage unattended
(can check in most bus/train stations). Suggest participants not travel alone with
Swisspass when not with group – try to arrange groups of 2 or more. Assist them with
bus/train schedules if they wish to go on their own. Make sure they know where to find
assistance when apart from leaders.
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 cars, has a higher risk - not so much of failure as of not running or
stopping
Suggest people not 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.
Participants
Potential hazards
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 unused to the local cuisine and are unhappy with limited choice
menus
Response
Offer more moderate hikes, 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
Try to have flights from Boston and New York only; one leader will meet each group at
airport. For late arrivals, provide swiss pass in advance and instructions for use as well
as connections to first hotel.
Other
Potential hazards
Response
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 2-2-1/2 hours walk from a mountain hut,
documentation, distance from
hostel or village where a phone and usually help is available
emergency services
. Leaders routinely carry a first aid kit. Cells are used when possible for communication.
Emergency equipment
What sort of emergency first
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 – mountain inn, hut, cable station.
Evacuation
Please describe your plan for
If possible get injured/ill participant to nearest shelter or lift. If assistance is required in
evacuation from the
getting participant off mountain send 2 people to nearest location to summon help.
backcountry location if
There are excellent volunteer rescue teams in the 2 locations where we will be hiking as
applicable?
well as a proliferation of roads and cable cars to facilitate evacuation. Evaluate medical
condition locally. If situation appears at all likely to be serious immediately contact
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6
Dayhiking and Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps
Merri Fox/Jan Schnabel
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.
8/27-9/11/2011
Colleen Yout, Major Excursions chair as well as Tripmate
Zermatt has a full service hospital; Grindelwald has two emergency medical clinics and
there is a hospital within a 45 minute drive in Interlaken
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Foreign currencies
We HOPE to book hotels through a US based company such as Mountain Tours or
Wanderweg Holidays. This is desirable because the payment would be in US $,
avoiding currency exchange fees, and the hotels selected have been “vetted” by the
company. In addition, the deposit and cancellation policies are more reasonable and
leaders believe we have more recourse dealing with a US based company.
We did check direct booking hotel rates using current exchange for hotels consistent with
what we will advertise (3-star in Wengen or Murren and Zermatt). Before committing to
going through tour operator, once we have our minimum, we will recheck to compare
prices booking directly with hotels to see what is the best value.
Swiss passes will be bought online in US$. Budget estimate is based on current cost
with slight increase.
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?
Current exchange rate used is SF 1.108 = 1 US$
$300 per participant only after minimum number reached; final payment 60 days prior to
trip. Swiss passes can be purchased anytime, but at least 2 months in advance so they
can be sent to participants.
May 1, 2011
$1500 deposit on signup. $1000 airfare due January 15, 2011. $1000 due April 1 st.
Balance of $1475 due June 1st 2011.
Cancellation must be in writing - Postmarked date below (email acceptable):
Prior to January 1- $100 non-refundable fee charged; If your airline ticket has been
purchased, you own it (subject to airline change fees). All other moneys
returned.
After January 1 a) $100 non-refundable fee charged; and
b) Any moneys paid out to vendors and money necessary to keep the trip cost from
increasing - causing an increase for other trip members.
After July 15 - NO REFUNDS for any reason, including accident, illness, or any other
type of emergency. (*)
*Note: Sometimes additional moneys may be returned at a later date, if a cancellee’s
spot can be filled from the waiting list. This depends upon two factors:
1. That the trip is filled - 14 participants (in addition to the leaders).
2. That there is a waiting list. This list is compiled by the leaders through the
application and screening process only. No one may substitute another person for
themselves
Revised 7/15/2016
Major Excursions Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6
Dayhiking and Sightseeing in the Swiss Alps
Merri Fox/Jan Schnabel
Minimum numbers
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum
number?
8/27-9/11/2011
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
If the participant count does not meet the minimum, the leaders may opt to proceed with
the trip and to share in the costs consistent with AMC policy.
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 6 of 6