Frequently Asked Questions

  • WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST OF MY CLIMB OR TREK?
    • Professional guiding and instruction.
    • Transportation from arrival airport to trailhead and back.
    • All meals while on the expedition.
    • Group climbing gear.
    • Group expedition gear including tents and stoves.
  • WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF MY CLIMB OR TREK?
    • International Airfare
    • Meals outside of scheduled team dinners etc.
    • Guide gratuities
    • Personal equipment
  • HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR A TRIP?
    Contact Mountain Professionals at admin@mtnprofessionals.com or use our contact form .
    You can also reach us via our telephone: 720-381-1147
  • WHAT IS THE DEPOSIT AMOUNT TO HOLD MY SPACE?
    The deposit amount is $500 to secure your place.
  • WHEN DO I NEED TO PAY THE BALANCE OF MY TRIP?
    The balance must be paid in full 60 days prior to your trip start date.
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
    Once we receive written notification that you are canceling an individual participant or your entire trip the following fees will apply. A fee of $150.00 per person will be charged for cancellations made more than 60 days before a program. This fee is compensation for expenses related to your anticipated participation. There will be no refunds for cancellations made less than 60 days before your program. Unfortunately, due to the time-sensitive nature of our business, and the difficulty in re-booking a trip close to departure date, we cannot make exceptions to this policy. If you are worried about canceling your trip, we strongly suggest that you purchase trip insurance that covers cancellation.
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO CHANGE THE DATES OF MY TRIP?
    Date changes are subject to availability and apply only to the current climbing season. Date changes may be requested at anytime up to 30 days prior to your departure date. A $50.00 fee will be charged per person for all date changes made more than 60 days prior to the program. Date changes made 60 days or less prior to the program will be charged a $75.00 fee per person. Mountain Professionals will try to accommodate your needs, if no alternative can be achieved, you will receive a credit for the cost of your expedition to be applied within one calendar year.
  • WHAT HAPPENS IF MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONALS HAS TO CANCEL MY TRIP?
    In the event that Mountain Professionals must cancel a trip due to insufficient sign ups or other reasons beyond our control, you will receive a full refund.
  • DO I NEED TO PURCHASE TRIP INSURANCE?
    It is highly recommended that you purchase trip insurance. The cost of trip insurance is 15% of the total trip cost.
  • WHO WILL MY GUIDE(S) BE?
    All Mountain Professional guides are highly skilled professionals who have been trained in wilderness medicine, rescue techniques, risk management and incident management. Our guides bring with them a wealth of personal and professional experience, which has allowed them to achieve and develop excellent safety records, solid judgment, superb educational skills and overall great client care. Many of our guides live and work in the countries we operate in which provides a depth of cultural, technical and logistical understanding. Our guides are dedicated to their work and lifestyles in the alpine setting. Many of our guides bring a professional background in Biology, Geology and International Studies. The culmination of our guide’s technical backgrounds, such as climbing on Everest, K2, Cho Oyu, Broad Peak and Aconcagua, their dedication and great personalities, should make your expedition an experience of a lifetime.
  • WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
    Upon registration a detailed gear list will be sent to you. Each season we review our gear lists with the help of our client’s feedback. The gear list for your expedition will come with a description of each item. Please feel free to call us if you have any questions or need help locating any of the items on the list. In the interest of safety and comfort, it is extremely important that you adhere strictly to the equipment list.
  • HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR A COURSE OR CLIMB?
    Mountain Professionals will send you a detailed clothing and gear list well before your trip. We will also be available to answer any specific questions as you begin your preparations.
  • CAN I RENT EQUIPMENT FROM MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONALS?
    Yes, we offer double plastic mountaineering boots, crampons, ice axes, harnesses, helmets, and trekking poles. Please contact us as soon as possible for a complete price list and to reserve your gear. Remember, during high season quantities are limited.
  • DO I HAVE TO CARRY A BACKPACK?
    Mountain Professionals staff will strive to limit your pack weight regardless of your expedition type. On each trek, you will benefit from carrying a small daypack with water, food, sunscreen, camera etc. BUT there is a chance that you will be required to carry a portion of the group gear. On climbing expeditions you will be required to carry a pack to accommodate the necessary gear required for base camp support on the mountain. Please consider this when packing-a good practice is to have some room in your pack upon arrival.
  • WILL MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONALS STORE EXTRA EQUIPMENT FOR ME?
    Mountain Professionals will offer extra gear storage at all possible times. However, there will also be the option of storing extra gear and clothing at your hotel.
  • WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE ON MY TRIP?
    As is evident by the tumultuous climate we have been experiencing over the past 5-10 years, the weather is unpredictable. BUT, we schedule all expeditions during the potentially best weather window for any particular region in the world. Although we anticipate good climbing conditions, clients should expect to experience each facet of mountain weather including rain, snow, sleet, high winds, whiteout conditions and sun.
  • WHAT KIND OF FOOD WILL THERE BE ON MY TRIP?
    Our guides are highly skilled culinary artists. Our goal on every expedition is to provide our clients with time-tested and nutritious meal plans. Expedition meals will consist of pastas, rice, soups, fresh, and dehydrated foods plus local cuisine. We will do our best to provide nutritious snacks but be sure to bring along your favorite snacks. If you have specific allergies and or preferences, please note that on your application and your guide(s) will provide meals accordingly.
  • ARE CLIMBING AND TREKKING EXPEDITIONS RATED FOR THEIR LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY?
    The following outline indicates how we rate our trips and what the recommendations are for participation on such a climb.
    • Beginner - no previous mountaineering skills required.
    • Intermediate - basic mountaineering skills recommended in addition to experience on technical terrain consisting of 40-50 degree snow/ice slopes.
    • Advanced Intermediate - intermediate mountaineering skills recommended and proven experience on technical terrain and high altitudes to 20,000 feet.
    • Advanced - Intermediate/advanced mountaineering skills recommended in addition to experience on technical terrain, including rock and ice climbing and ascents over 20,000 feet
  • HOW PHYSICALLY FIT DO I HAVE TO BE?
    Mountain Professional expeditions are physically demanding. We encourage all clients to adequately prepare for the trip to ensure that the individual and the group are set up for success. The better overall health and physical conditioning clients have, the more enjoying the experience. In order to prepare for your journey, we encourage you to simulate the activity, which you have signed up for. A simple method for preparing the lower body is walking with pack weight, increasing both weight and level of difficulty appropriately. Weight training is recommended for building upper body strength as is running, swimming and bicycling. If you have questions please contact us and we will be happy to provide a specific program to match your expedition.
  • WHAT IF SOMEONE ON MY EXPEDITION GETS SICK WILL I LOSE MY SUMMIT OPPORTUNITY?
    Client safety is our number one priority. If an expedition member gets sick, it is the guide’s responsibility to assess what resources will need to be called on for a safe evacuation. If conditions allow, one guide can escort down an expedition member. If conditions do not allow, you may be required to participate in a group evacuation. Mountain Professionals will make every effort to provide a summit attempt for every team member.
  • DOES MOUNTAIN PROFESSIONALS CUSTOMIZE TRIPS?
    Yes. We offer full custom tailored trips to meet your specific needs and desires. We work directly with you in developing the best itinerary possible, identifying your expedition of choice and getting you ready. Then we take care of everything from transportation, accommodations, and logistical coordination’s, so you can focus on getting ready for an adventure of a lifetime. Please see our Custom Trips page for more information.
  • WHAT IS MY CHANCE OF SUCCESSFULLY REACHING THE SUMMIT?
    In the world of mountaineering, there are no guarantees in reaching the summit. There are many uncontrollable and unpredictable elements in mountaineering. We will strive to manage as many of these as possible and provide each client with a summit attempt.
  • WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALTITUDE RELATED ILLNESSES?
    Climbing at altitude is different for every person. Some people will be affected by altitude at 8,000 feet others at 20,000 feet. Mountain Professionals guides have a regimented acclimatizing schedule, which each client will be required to participate in. Although we take every measure to ensure each clients health at altitude, there are risks involved. For more information on risks, please see our liability waiver for details.