Certifications. Every lead guide holds current Wilderness First Responder and CPR; winter leads hold AIARE avalanche training.
Ratios. One guide per 8 hikers, 6 backpackers, 4–6 skiers, 2–4 climbers. Small on purpose.
Communication. Satellite messengers travel on every trip, with scheduled check-ins to our base.
Weather. Go/no-go calls come from NWS forecasts and the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center — and when the mountains say no, we listen. Condition cancellations rebook free or refund in full.
Fitness. Every tour page carries an honest difficulty rating. Unsure? Email us — matching you to the right trip is the first safety decision.
Every booking confirmation includes a specific gear list. The universal kit: sturdy footwear, layers (mountain weather turns fast), 2 liters of water, sun protection. We provide the technical gear.
Snowshoe tours welcome kids; other trips carry age minimums that vary by route — call or email and we'll match your family to the right day.
Most trips run between 4,000 and 11,000 feet. If you're coming from sea level, arrive a day early, hydrate, and tell your guide how you feel — we build routes with bailout options.
We make go/no-go calls from NWS forecasts and, in winter, the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. When we cancel for conditions, you choose: rebook or full refund.
Guest-initiated: full refund 14+ days out, 50% at 7 days, no refund inside 72 hours. (Draft policy — final version published before booking opens.)
Yes — every price includes land-agency permits and fees. You never handle paperwork.
Yes. Any tour runs privately at roughly 1.75× the group rate — email hello@eastalp.com.
Loaner packs, poles, microspikes, snowshoes, avalanche kits, and all climbing hardware are included where the trip needs them.