Dale Geslien/Barbara Beckerman
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
SUMMARY OF TRIP INFORMATION
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
Leader Dale Geslien
Co-leader Barbara Beckerman
Baja Sur, Mexico
2/24/16-3/5/16
Total # of days 11
Backpacking
Bicycling-Mountain
Bicycling-Road
Title of trip
Leadership
Location(s)
Dates
Type of trip
check all that apply
Primary type of trip
Number of participants
(excluding leaders)
Advertised cost
Airfare range if not included
When should the trip notice be
published in AMC Outdoors?
Do you wish to have your trip
listed online before it is
published in AMC Outdoors?
Smaller trips and leader
subsidization
Camping
Cultural
Family
Hiking
Paddling-Canoeing
Paddling-Sea-Kayaking
Skiing-CrossSkiing-Downhill
Snorkeling
Country (Nordic)
(Alpine)
Trekking (e.g., hutWalking
Other – please describe
to-hut)
Paddling-Sea-Kayaking
Select one of those checked above.
Minimum 10
Maximum 14
$ 2195
Does it include airfare? Yes
No
$ 750-1000
Will leaders assist participants with flights? Yes
No
First Appearance: Month 05
Year 15
Last Appearance: Month 09
Year 15
Note: AMC Outdoors is only published in Jan., March, May, July, Sept., Nov.
Yes
No If yes, please list the approximate month and year when it should
be posted on line. 2/15
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?
We are using 15% in the budget calculations and are willing to contribute to the trip
costs. This proposal is to repeat a 2012 trip with 2 leaders, where leaders made a
contribution to the cost of the trip with a similar number of participants. Sea-Kayaking
is not a 'mainstream' activity, and more of a specialized niche. 12 trippers is the
minimum number required by the outfitter for the price quoted. The proposal for this
group size is to prepare a realistic budget and increase the likihood that the trip
fills.The price of this trip is due to it being a fully outfitted trip.
LEADER AND CO-LEADER INFORMATION
Leader name
Leader address
Leader email
Leader phone
Wilderness first aid
training
CPR training
Prior leading experience
Form Revised February 2014
Dale Geslien
1 Phillips Farm Rd., East Hartford, CT 06118
dalegeslien@sbcglobal.net
Home 860-568-5349
Work
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 4/15
Cell 203-512-7752
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 4/15
If this is your first Adventure Travel trip as a Leader you must be present at the AMCATC meeting at which the trip proposal is considered.
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
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 1 of 6
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip
experience
Dale Geslien/Barbara Beckerman
trips you have led, particularly if they demonstrate experience related to the trip you are
proposing.
Zion, Bryce, Escalante, September 2013, Hiking 16 participants, Co-Leader
Maine Wilderness Lodges, February 2013, XC Skiing, 6 participants, Leader
Rangeley, ME 2009, hiking and Flatwater kayaking, 5 participants, Leader
Annual winter weekend hut trips for 8 years with 10 participants, alternating Leader and
Co-leader. Approved one-leader trip Rafting and Day Hiking in Arches and Canyonlands
National Parks, UT, 8/28-9/5/14.
Co-leader name
Co-leader address
Co-leader email
Co-leader phone
Wilderness first aid training
CPR training*
Prior leading experience
Trip one
Trip two
Trip three
Other related trip experience
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?
Barbara Beckerman
4 Deer Creek Drive, Madison, CT 06443
bebea5@comcast.net
Home
Work 203-785-7646
Cell 203-641-4162
WFA
AWFA
WFR
Expiration: 4/16
CPR
BLS
Expiration: 12/13/16
If you are a new co-leader you must submit an application to be an Adventure Travel
leader or co-leader prior to submitting this application. Also, it is strongly
recommended that you be present at the AMC-ATC meeting at which the trip proposal
is considered.
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. Please indicate if you were
the leader or co-leader.
Leader of 3 day/2 night hiking trips from Cardigan in 2013 and September, 2014
August Camp leader since 2008; destinations include Banff, Whistler, Central and
Southern Cascades, MT. Rainer and Yellowstone areas.
Leader of annual 4 day/3 night Nordic ski trips to Highland Center and Joe Dodge
Lodge since 2007. Also to Londonderry,VT in 2009.
Co-leader application submitted for consideration at the 1/24/15 AT Committee
meeting.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below:
Note: Leader and co-leader speak some Spanish.
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 materials
you send out.
LOGISTICAL DETAILS OF TRIP
Summary
Please provide a description
of the trip and the activities
planned. If available, please
include or attach an itinerary.
Accommodations
Please describe your plans for
accommodation(s)
Meals: Please describe your
Form Revised February 2014
An 11 day, 10 night fully outfitted trip to Baja Sur, Mexico for 7 days of kayaking and 2
days of whale watching. Baja Outdoor Activites (BOA) will provide two bi-lingual
naturalist guides, mainly double kayaks, all kayaking gear and camping equipment. See
attached itinerary from BOA.
3 nights at Marina Hotel, La Paz; 1 night at rustic cabins in Lopez Mateos; 6 nights
beach camping.
Cooperatively catered trip with meals organized by Baja Outdoor Activities (BOA) from
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 2 of 6
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
plans for providing meals. If
the budget includes any funds
for leader meals not shared
with the group please justify.
Local Transportation
Please describe your plans for
local transportation
Will leaders or participants be
drivers of motor vehicles?
Permits or permissions
Does the trip require special
permits or permissions?
(required on many U.S.
federal lands and national
parks)
Dale Geslien/Barbara Beckerman
breakfast Day 2 to breakfast Day 11 (excluding dinner on Day 8). Leaders' dinner on day
8 included in budget.
Group taxi provided by BOA from/to Cabo airport to/from La Paz. Transportation
from/to La Paz to/from Lopez Mateos in BOA's private van.
Will leaders be drivers?
Will volunteer participants be drivers?
If so, MVR checks will be needed. See Appendix S1.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will need to do to obtain them:
If there are any special permits or permissions required, the outfitter will be responsible
for getting them.
If no, please describe the process you went through to find out that they were not
required:
Special equipment
Does the trip require special
equipment?
Special experience
Does the trip require special
skills on the part of the
participant?
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of equipment and how you
will ensure that people know how to use it:
The outfitter will supply all equipment and provide training for participants if necessary.
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what type of experience? Also describe
how you will ensure that the participant has this experience?
Participants must know how to swim and have basic kayaking skills. They must also be
comfortable doing a wet exit. Participants will be screened by the leader and co-leader
for experience. The outfitter guides will discuss points on safety and provide beginners
with the basics of sea kayaking and correct use of gear and kayaks before setting out on
the trip.
Pre-trip activities
Yes
No
If yes, please describe below what you will do:
Do you plan to get your group Maybe. Since we will not know if the trip is a go until 8/24, it's unlikely that we will be
together before the trip for an
able to schedule a paddle, however a social event at a Mexican restaurant is a possibility.
activity or social event?
This will depend on the proximity of the geographic location of participants.
This trip will provide participants with an opportunity to visit and experience the
Conservation, education and
richest body of water on our entire planet, biologically speaking. The Sea of
recreation
How will this AMC-AT trip meet the
Cortez supports more than 900 varieties of fish and more than 2,000 species of
mission of the AMC?
marine invertebrates. It is home to many species that exist only within its waters.
www.outdoors.org/about/mission.cfm
This recreational experience will reinforce the need to preserve these special
places for future generations. The sensitivity of this region will provide an
opportunity to teach land and water Leave No Trace ethics.
TOUR OPERATOR AND GUIDE SERVICE INFORMATION
This section should be completed if the trip will be using a tour operator, outfitter, guide service, travel agency or
other such company or person(s) for a significant part of the trip or for the entire trip. Any person(s) or companies
that are handling a significant portion of trip funds or arrangements need to be vetted. If there is more than one
tour operator please provide this information about each such entity.
Will this trip require a tour
Yes
No
operator or guide service
Please describe their services. If you are using a tour operator for the entire trip,
during part of or for the
please describe why you will be using them rather than doing this trip on your own:
BOA will provide two local naturalist guides, all transportation, kayaks, camping gear,
entire trip?
meals and cooking equipment, marine portable toilets and basic washing facilities. Since
neither of the leaders have been to this area, nor are they fluent in the local language, we
think using a local outfitter will optimize the trip experience.
Name of tour operator/guide Baja Outdoor Activities (BOA)
service
www.kayakinbaja.com
Tour operator website
Owner Ben Gillam states: In 21 years of business we have not had any serious accidents
Safety record
Form Revised February 2014
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 3 of 6
Dale Geslien/Barbara Beckerman
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
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.
and NO fatalities.
Liability? Yes
No
Maximum amt: $ 1,000,000
Are they willing to list AMC as an
Yes
No
additional insured?
See attached emergency action plan, essentially using boat and or helicopter to get to
definitive care.
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
Strong winds preventing kayaking.
Response
Outfitter will offer alternate activities such as hiking and snorkeling or skills practice in
protected bays.
Political concerns, crime, language translation, terrorism
Foreign Country
Potential hazards
Drug-related violence and crime, language translation
Response
The drug-related violence and crime are not typically seen in resort areas and tourist
destinations, however the leaders will monitor State Department bulletins and stay in
touch with the outfitter to assess any risks as the trip gets closer. Our trip will be
registered with the U.S. consulate in Mexico. Althought the outfitter naturalist guides
are bi-lingual, the leader and co-leader know some Spanish.
Road conditions, drivers, insurance
Transportation
Potential hazards
The outfitter will be providing all transportation.
Response
Level of fitness, screening concerns, experience with equipment or activity
Participants
Potential hazards
Participants may have difficulty participating in the activities.
Response
Require that participants provide references and discuss participants' abilities and past
experience with references.
Conditions unique to this type of trip
Other
Potential hazards
Unexpected reactions to kayaking, movement on water, wilderness camping
Response
BOA has experience in this arena and can provide additional skills training; Leader and
co-leader will use their skills and training experience and engage group participation to
mitigate any potential unexpected anxiety of participants.
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
Please describe your plans for dealing with emergencies. Give 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 BLANK
Emergency contacts provided by BOA:
Emergency communication
Phone contacts, language,
Contact Beatriz, Ben or Alejandra at:
documentation, distance from
Beatriz (cell) 612 140 2647
emergency services
Ben (cell)
612 140 05685
Ale (cell)
612 140 0652
Home
125 6735
Office
125 5636
If unavailable, contact:
Emergency Services – tel. 066, and/or
Port Captain – marine radio channel 16
TelCel (SOS Marina) *767627462
Note: Emergency Evacuation Plan attached.
Form Revised February 2014
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 4 of 6
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
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.
Dale Geslien/Barbara Beckerman
In addition to the outfitter's communication devices, Leaders will have personal cell
phones and insure that their provider plans have appropriate coverage to make
international calls in this area, however service may not be available.
Outfitter evacuation plan attached; essentially by boat or helicopter if medically
necessary.
Hospital Generalaria Juan María de Salva Tierra
Paseo de Los Deportistas 5115 8 de Octubre Segunda Sección, 23085 La Paz, BCS,
Mexico
+52 612 175 0500
Central Medical Specialties
Dolphins 110
Col. Fidepaz
La Paz, Baja California Sur 23090
(612) 124-0400
COST AND BUDGET DETAILS
Mexican Peso (MXN), 1.00 MXN = 0.0673993 USD
Foreign currencies
For int’l trips list each foreign currency, the
Payment to outfitter will be in $U.S.
current $US dollar exchange rate and what
contingencies you have if that rate changes. If
a tour operator or agent is being used, what
currency is the agent to be paid in?
$5,000 deposit to BOA by 8/24/15.
Group Trip Deposits
What deposits will be required
from you by airlines, hotels, tour
operators, etc., and when?
A full refund (less $450US administration fee) will be given with more than 4 month's
Group Trip Refunds
What is the latest date you can
written notice. (Before 10/24/15)
cancel and still receive a full
refund of any deposits?
Participants must submit a $500 deposit with trip application prior to 8/15/15. The
Participant deposits
What are the initial deposit and
balance is due 12/1/15.
your schedule of payments by
participants to you?
Prior to 8/15/15 – a full refund less $50 cancellation fee
Cancellation policy
What will be your cancellation
After 8/15/15 – Cancellation fee of $200 plus any additional money necessary to keep
policy for the participants?
the trip cost from increasing and creating a greater expense to other participants.
AMC-ATC’s policy is that a participant’s cancellation should not increase or decrease
the cost of the trip to other participants or the Leaders. The cancellation fee will be
limited to $200 only if the leaders can find a qualified replacement. A cancellation
may result in no refund.
Minimum numbers
Yes
No
If yes, please describe conditions:
Will you still run the trip if you
do not get the minimum number?
Reference web links:
AMC-ATC Home Page: http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/
Form Revised February 2014
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 5 of 6
Kayak and Whale Watch in Baja Sur, Mexico
Forms:
Deadlines:
E-Mail Addresses:
Club House:
AMC-ATC Chair:
Form Revised February 2014
Dale Geslien/Barbara Beckerman
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/application/
http://snebulos.mit.edu/orgs/amc/committee/proposals/
nholland@outdoors.org
mikebarry657@mac.com
Adventure Travel Trip Proposal Form, page 6 of 6