Participation Statement & Safety Policy

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We ask anyone booking one of our courses to ensure they have read, understood and agreed to both our Participation Statement & Safety Policy. These are detailed below.

Safety Policy

Part of our mission is to help educate our clients to the risks involved and make them aware of the processes we use to manage risk.  However, it is also important to understand that we can’t remove all risk to clients, instructors or people around us. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identity four ways to demonstrate the competence of leaders.  They should hold the relevant national qualification (NGB) or hold an equivalent qualification. Alternatively, they may have received appropriate in-house training or be competent through experience.  When Peak Mountaineering employs freelance staff we ensure that activities are run by holders of appropriate NGB awards. 

We hold Public Liability Insurance. Our freelance instructors either hold individual Public Liability Insurance or, in some situations, are covered under our policy.  Clients are recommended to take out personal accident and cancellation insurance.  More details on options are available on our Frequently Asked Questions page here.

We ask clients (or parents/guardians booking for under 18’s) to carefully consider whether the activities suit their needs, expectations and capabilities.  It is also essential that participants actions conform to any safety guidance and that any distress caused during or resulting from the activity is drawn to the attention of the activity leader. 

Participation Statement

When activities becomes predictable and absolutely safe, they cease to be as exciting.  They also cease, by definition, to be an adventure.  Adventures have an uncertain outcome and will carry risks.

Going into mountain areas is hazardous, and, when adventurous activities are added, the hazards are inevitably increased. This implies a potential risk of injury or, in extreme circumstances, loss of life. Anyone considering taking part in a course or expedition needs to consider this very seriously. They must both take responsibility for their participation and acknowledge and accept these risks.

The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) acts on behalf of walkers, climbers and mountaineers in the UK. It offers the following participation statement that we ask you to agree to:

“The BMC recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.”

Thanks for reading our Participation Statement & Safety Policy. When completing your booking form you will be asked to clarify that you have read, understood and agreed to them.