Safety
Safety First
At Wintergreen Guiding, safety is the foundation of every trip. Time outside always involves changing conditions, uneven terrain, weather shifts, and other variables that cannot be fully controlled. My role as your guide is to plan carefully, make sound decisions, communicate clearly, and lead each trip with good judgment and respect for the environment.
Every outing is designed around conservative decision-making, route awareness, and the needs of the group. That means paying close attention to trail conditions, weather, terrain, wildlife (including bugs!) group pace, daylight, and any other factors that could affect the experience.
A Guide-Led Approach
Trips are structured and led with safety in mind from the beginning. Before each outing, I consider current and expected conditions, route difficulty, group size, experience level, and turnaround points. We will complete a safety briefing before every hike so that expectations for how we’ll operate are clear. During the trip, I will continue assessing conditions and may adjust the plan as needed.
This can include changing pace, shortening the route, modifying the trip, or ending early if conditions no longer support a safe experience. These decisions are made carefully and are always intended to protect the group. You can expect clear communication throughout.
Conditions and Weather
Upper Peninsula conditions can change quickly. Rain, wind, heat, cold, snow, ice, mud, and reduced visibility can all affect trail safety and comfort. Because of this, every trip is condition-dependent.
Wintergreen Guiding reserves the right to cancel, postpone, reroute, or end a trip early due to weather, trail conditions, environmental hazards, or other safety concerns. If a trip is canceled by Wintergreen Guiding, guests may choose to reschedule or receive a full refund in accordance with the Cancellation Policy.
Group Responsibility
A safe trip is a shared responsibility. Every guest gets a packing list immediately following booking. Guests are expected to arrive prepared, follow guide instructions, communicate honestly about comfort and ability, and use appropriate judgment throughout the outing.
Participants should be prepared to:
wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions
carry required personal items such as water, food, and layers
stay with the group unless directed otherwise
communicate any concerns, injuries, fatigue, or changes in condition as soon as possible
Guests who arrive unprepared for the stated conditions or who are unable to participate safely may be asked not to continue.
Physical Readiness
Each trip description includes information about the general difficulty and expected effort level. It is the responsibility of each participant to choose a trip that matches their abilities and comfort level.
If you have questions about whether a trip is the right fit, reach out during your booking request. I am happy to help you think through the landscape, pacing, and what to expect so you can make an informed decision.
Emergency Preparedness
Your guide is CPR/First Aid certified - Wilderness First Responder (WFR) training coming soon. Wintergreen Guiding carries emergency and navigation equipment which includes first aid supplies, communication tools, navigation devices, and location-sharing/emergency communication technology.
While guided trips are thoughtfully planned, backcountry and outdoor environments are inherently unpredictable. Emergency response may be delayed in remote areas, and participants should understand that outdoor travel involves real risk.
Risk Acknowledgment
By joining a trip, participants acknowledge that hiking, trail travel, and winter backcountry travel involve inherent risks. These may include slips, falls, changing weather, natural obstacles, exposure to heat or cold, wildlife encounters, and delayed access to emergency assistance.
Wintergreen Guiding works to reduce unnecessary risk through planning, communication, and responsible leadership, but risk cannot be eliminated entirely. All participants must sign a liability waiver before every trip.
Respect for Place
Safety also includes moving responsibly through the landscape. Trips are conducted with respect for public lands, changing ecosystems, trail conditions, and other people using the same space. Guests are expected to follow Leave-No-Trace principles and support a thoughtful, low-impact experience.
Questions
If you have questions about trip difficulty, conditions, gear, or safety expectations, please get in touch before your trip. Clear communication helps create a better and safer experience for everyone.