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Is my departure guaranteed?
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All trips are pending permit availability which are gained 24-weeks in advance. Additionally, there is a minimum of two participants required in order to guarantee each departure. Please refrain from making travel arrangements until you have received confirmation from Lasting Adventures.
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Are there any other conditions that may prevent this trip from running?
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Under extremely unique circumstances, trips are subject to change based on weather conditions. However, the weather during backpacking season is typically favorable and cancellations or modified itineraries are highly unlikely.
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Are private departures available?
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Yes! Private departures are available upon request. Pricing varies depending on the number of guests, time of year, and availability of staff. Please contact our Adventures Team to explore pricing and check on availability.
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What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
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This trip begins at the Sol Duc Campground in Olympic National Park. Olympic National Park is located on the Olympic Peninsula in Northern Washington, near the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. Transportation is mainly done by car, though limited public transportation is available. Private companies can fill in the gaps. When driving to Olympic be aware of seasonal road closures and check your route beforehand.
Please note that GPS units do not always provide accurate directions to or within Olympic. GPS units are not recommended for directions in and around Olympic. If you do use a GPS unit, just keep in mind that if there’s a conflict between what the road sign says and what your GPS unit says, the road sign is almost always correct.
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What are the accommodations like?
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You'll be camping in Olympic's world-renowned wilderness campsites. Camp beside high alpine lakes and streams, near old-growth forests, and fall asleep to the hush of the summer breeze beneath Olympic’s immaculate, unpolluted starscape!
Lasting Adventures provides like-new, top-of-the-line backpacking tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads. Your guides will help you pick an optimal campsite and set up your tent for the most comfortable, secure sleep possible in the backcountry.
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Can solo travelers get their own tent? Is there a single supplement fee?
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Solo travelers will be provided their own single-person tent at no additional cost.
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How large is each travel group?
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Lasting Adventures strives for a ratio of no more than 1:5 guides to guests, with the largest backpacking trip having 8 to 10 clients and at least two guides, if not three. Lasting Adventures embraces small group sizes to maximize your experience.
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What meals are included? What is the food like?
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Meals vary depending on each trip and guide. All meals (including snacks and filtered water) are included from dinner on Day 1 through lunch on Day 4. Lasting Adventures is famous for its guides’ cooking abilities, so you'll be sure to enjoy gourmet, backcountry cuisine throughout your trip. They are also able to meet almost all dietary restrictions. Please let them know ahead of time if this is something you require.
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How much extra money should people budget?
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This trip will cover most of your expenses, but plan to bring cash if you would like to purchase souvenirs either before or after the trip as well.
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What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
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Lasting Adventures will send a detailed packing list upon booking, but plan on bringing clothing that is easy to layer, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, hiking boots, waterproof shell, trekking poles (if you prefer your own), flashlight, and water bottle.
While guests are welcome to bring their own equipment, Lasting Adventures provides top-quality, ultra-light backpacking and camping gear — including a backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, tent, eating utensils, and group gear (water filters, stoves, first aid kits, bear cans, etc.)
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What is the hiking like on this trip?
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Participants will be hiking 17 moderate miles with packs over the course of four days, which breaks down to 3-5 miles per day. The pace of the hiking will be tailored to the guests’ fitness levels, with plenty of breaks along the way to rest and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Porters (aka equipment carriers) are not included. Guests will be expected to carry their own pack, which generally weighs around 30-40 pounds, and no more than 1/3 of the guests’ body weight.
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What kind of physical shape is needed in order to successfully participate in activities? Is there any special preparation/training required for this trip?
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This trip will require four to six hours of physical activity per day. Travelers should be in decent physical condition, able to hike with a weighted pack, and prepared for multiple hours of activity on consecutive days. Certain days may be more or less challenging due to challenges in terrain, elevation gain, and weather conditions. Your guides are careful to adjust the pace to accommodate all fitness levels and hiking experience within each group. This hike is for you to enjoy; take it at your own pace, and don’t forget to stop and admire the views!
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Should I purchase travel insurance? If so, do you have a recommended provider?
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We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for all trips. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. For travel insurance, we recommend VisitorsCoverage.
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Are there special requirements for entry into the destination I am visiting?
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We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.
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Can I cancel or modify my trip?
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Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2022 & 2023 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date, or
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2023 or 2024 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.
Up to 30 days prior to departure*
You may postpone your trip up to 30 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2023 or 2024 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.
Less than 30 days prior to departure*
In some cases, you may have the option to postpone your trip within 30 days prior to departure.
If this is available at time of your request, you will have the option to:
1) Select a new travel date within one year of your original departure date. Additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability, or
2) Receive a lifetime store credit toward a future trip. Standard cancellation fees will apply.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.