More details required: Do you agree to the following Release and Indemnity Agreement?
Wharton Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Club
IMPORTANT NOTICE: All activities involving members of the Wharton Mountaineering and Rock Climbing trips either rely on paid professional guides or operate on the Common Adventure model of outdoor programming.
A Brief Description of Common Adventure Trips
A Common Adventure trip is a trip put together by two or more individuals working cooperatively for common goals and sharing expenses and responsibilities as equitably as possible. There are no “leaders” or paid guides. Any instruction or advice provided by any member of the group is given gratuitously in a spirit of cooperation. Each member is responsible for his/her own safety, and members of the group do not hold one another or others liable for accidents.
Sharing Responsibility on Common Adventure Trips
On a common adventure trip, everyone is expected to share in the responsibilities of the trip. The trip initiator (the person who posted the sign-up sheet) simply begins the trip process. The rest of the group is expected to help plan, organize, cook, wash, load and unload vehicles, buy food, clean up equipment afterwards, etc. The success or failure of a common adventure trip rests not in the hands of the trip initiator, or the club or institution that might offer such trips, but rather in the hands of everyone who participates in the trip. Common Adventure trips are not guided trips. There is no designated "leader" or "guide" who makes the decisions for the group. Rather, leadership is fluid and group decisions are made democratically.
Essential Characteristics of Common Adventure Trips
Every member of a Common Adventure group has responsibilities and contributes to the trip, whether by helping with trip planning, buying food, loading vehicles or cleaning up after it's over. No one goes for a free ride.
There are no guide fees. No group money goes to pay any one person among the group, nor does any money go to any outside individual or sponsoring institution or club. The cost of the trip (gas, food, rental of equipment) is shared.
Common adventure groups strive for fairness, free and open discussion, and an equitable sharing of responsibilities.
Assumption of Risk
I acknowledge that I am a willing member of the Wharton Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Club, and that my membership and participation in any club activities are not required or compelled in any way by Wharton or the University of Pennsylvania. I understand that participation in any club trips or activities carries with it certain risks, and that some risks may not be eliminated even when care is taken to avoid injury. The specific risks may vary from one activity to another, but range from minor injuries such as scrapes, scratches, bruises and sprains, to major injuries such as eye injuries or loss of sight, joint or back injuries, heart attacks and concussions, to catastrophic injuries including paralysis and/or death.
I have read the previous paragraph and I know, understand, and appreciate these and other risks associated with or inherent in these activities and programs. I hereby assert that my participation is voluntary and that I knowingly assume all such risks, including risks of personal injury (up to and including paralysis and/or death) and property damage related to or arising out of my participation in the trip.
I have read and fully understand the definition and key characteristics of the Common Adventure model of outdoor programs, and agree to follow the principles of the Common Adventure model while participating in any Common Adventure trip.
Release, Indemnification and Hold Harmless: I also agree, for myself, my heirs and my personal representative(s) to RELEASE and to INDEMNIFY and HOLD Wharton, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Wharton Mountaineering and Rock Climbing Club and their trustees, officers, agents and employees, including student trip initiators of such activities, HARMLESS from any and all claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses, damages and liabilities of any sort on account of damage to personal property, or personal injury, or death which may result from my participation.
Severability: I also expressly agree that the foregoing waiver and assumption of risks agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the State of Pennsylvania, and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect.
Acknowledgement of Understanding: I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk and indemnity agreement, fully understand its terms, and understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue. I acknowledge that I am signing the agreement freely and voluntarily, and intend the agreement by my signature to be a complete and unconditional release of all liability to the greatest extent allowed by law.
