Please read though all the following information and save or print this page for your records. Your guide will contact you via email before this booking (unless it is a last minute booking, then they may not have a chance to). Please call 1-888-284-8433 or email the office or your guide if you have any questions about your booking.
Meeting Time: Courses meet at 9am unless otherwise arranged.
Cancellation Policies: You read and agreed to our cancellation policy when you made this booking. Contact the FMG office at Office@foxmountainguides.com if you have any questions.
Travel Insurance: We strongly suggest you look into travel insurance, as this may protect you from losing your money if you have to cancel your booking.
Guides’ Contact Information: Click here for a list of our guides’ emails and phone numbers.
What To Bring:
- Sturdy, close-toed hiking shoes (no chacos, Crocs, etc).
- Clothes appropriate for the season. You may wear shorts or long pants, and a rain jacket is a good idea on all trips. Bring a sun hat for summer trips and, for colder months, insulating fleece layers, gloves, and a fleece hat are good additions to your gear.
- Water: about 2 liters per person, especially in summer months.
- High-energy snacks (think lean protein and complex carbohydrates!), and a high-energy lunch for full day trips.
- Sun block and bug repellent.
- Any personal medications (e.g. medications for asthma; epi pen if you are severely reactive to bee stings; etc).
- Small backpack for all above items.
- If you have personal climbing equipment please bring it; after inspection you will be able to use your own gear (gear is provided for our courses if needed).
- Some people like to take pictures of systems and techniques you will learn during this course. Another popular option is to bring a notepad and pen/pencils.
What To Expect: You will meet the guide and get fitted for all required equipment (if you have your own, the guide will inspect it at this time). After a short (~20 min) drive to the trailhead you will hike through the forest for about 20-30 minutes, depending on where your course is located. The day will be split into lectures, demonstrations, and time for practical application and firsthand experience of the skills taught. There are no bathrooms at the climbing site or trailhead, so please plan appropriately. Cell phones will not work at the climbing site. No dogs on trips please.
Tips for a Successful Course; Final Check List:
- Review your meeting location, date, and time. Please allow extra time to ensure that you arrive on time.
- Make a note of your guide’s cell phone number.
- Review directions and print them out for your trip.
- Look into trip insurance, as this may protect you from losing your money if you have to cancel your trip at the last minute.
- Review our cancellation policy and call or email the office with any questions.
Extra Information and Frequently Asked Questions:
Transport: Transportation to and from the trail head is your responsibility.
Camping and Food: Camping and food costs are not included in any of the multiple day courses we offer.
Emergency Information: Please be aware that advanced medical care is normally over an hour away from the climbing and course sites, and cell phones mostly do not work in the areas that the courses are run. All medical concerns, old injuries, and medications should be discussed with the Instructor prior to the course or day of guiding.
Readiness for Climbing: Please arrive at your outing rendezvous in a state of physical and mental readiness. Severe sleep deprivation, drug and alcohol use, and undisclosed medical conditions will greatly impair your ability to participate in a climbing outing and may create risks that will be difficult for your guide to manage. Please do not consume drugs or alcohol within 12 hours of your climbing outing. Alcohol consumption and drug use are forbidden while on the trip.
Payment: We will charge your outstanding balance to the card you placed the original order on unless otherwise instructed. You may also pay the balance at any time before the trip by sending a check to: Fox Mountain Guides, PO Box 9066, Asheville, NC 28815. Please include a note saying who the payment is for and dates of booking. Make checks payable to Fox Mountain Guides, LLC. There is a $30 service charge for all returned checks.
Tips: Clients may wish to tip their guide, and it is always greatly appreciated. Many clients call the office to ask “how much should I tip?” Tips in the guiding industry are similar to those in other service industries, with 20% being typical for a great day. If you do wish to tip your guide, you may do so with cash or a personal check made payable to the guide.