By completing this form, you are indicating that you have chosen to voluntarily participate in an outdoor activity offered through the Western New Mexico University Outdoor Program. Activities vary from program to program and may include, among others, travel in a vehicle, wilderness camping, base-camping, skiing, boating, horseback riding, rock-climbing, hiking and backpacking through mountainous terrain. You further understand and acknowledge that the activities of the program have risks, including certain risks which are inherent. Inherent risks are those which cannot be eliminated without destroying the unique character of these activities. You understand that all types of bodily injury and disability, including death, are a risk to participating in these activities. You understand that Western New Mexico University, the WNMU Outdoor Program Director, Outdoor Program staff, or participating WNMU faculty assumes no responsibility or liability for your participation on this trip, and you agree to assume all the risks of participating.

I understand that the trip may include, but is not limited to, the following potential hazardous activities

• Most trips require travel in a vehicle on interstates, state highways, paved and unpaved roads. There is a risk of collision that could result in physical/emotional injury, trauma, or death.
• Many trips occur at altitudes above 4,500 feet. Above 8,000 feet people have a risk of developing a range of high-altitude illnesses which can include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, insomnia, loss of appetite, nausea, and, in some cases, death. The potential for illness increases at altitude’s over 10,000 feet.
• Many trips take place in the Gila National Forest, part of which is a remote wilderness area more than 4 hours from definitive care. WNMU Outdoor Program staff is trained in CPR and hold a wilderness first responder or wilderness first aid certification. If needed, more advanced medical care may be several days away due to lack of communication, difficulty of travel, and environmental factors.
• Travel is primarily by foot over trails that may be narrow, unstable, unpredictable, slick, or snow covered. On backpacking trips, each person will carry a 40 to 50 pound backpack that will include their own personal gear plus some group gear. Travel to and from the trail is done by vehicle, and if evacuation from the field becomes necessary, other travel forms including horseback and/or helicopter may be implemented as seen appropriate by rescue personnel. If evacuation becomes necessary, hiking via an alternative, more difficult or time consuming route may be necessary. Travel risks include fire, collision, falling, becoming lost and other risks associated with foot travel, including environmental risks.
• Many of the meals are prepared over gas stoves and open fires. To mediate the risk of contracting Giardia, Cryptosporidium, or Cyclospora, all water requires disinfection before use. STUDENTS WITH FOOD ALLERGIES MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH OFFENDING FOODS. Other camping risks include burns, cuts, sprains, strains, wild animals, insect bites, diarrhea and flu-like illnesses, falling timber, wildfire, and falling rock.
• Environmental risks can include limited water, extreme heat, weather, animals, insect bites, poison ivy, avalanche, flash floods, wildfire, falling and rolling rocks, and lightening. Weather can change rapidly and unpredictably. Possible injuries or illnesses include hypothermia, frostbite, altitude sickness, sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration, and other mild or serious conditions.
• Decisions are made by instructors, staff, and student participants, often in remote wilderness or forest settings, based on a variety of perceptions and evaluations which by their nature are imprecise and subject to errors in judgment. Misjudgments may pertain to, among other things, student capabilities, environment, terrain, water and weather, natural hazards, routes, and medical condition.

Please be aware of the following terms if you click agree.

• ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY HEIRS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND ASSIGNS, I HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, WAIVE, AND RELINQUISH ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, RIGHTS AND ACTIONS THAT I MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE AGAINST, WNMU, STAFF, BOARD OF REGENTS, OFFICERS, OFFICIALS, AGENTS AND/OR EMPLOYEES, OTHER PARTICIPANTS, SPONSORING AGENCIES, SPONSORS, ADVERTISERS AND, IF APPLICABLE, OWNERS AND LESSORS OF PREMISES USED DURING THE WILDERNESS BACKPACKING TRIP (“ RELEASEES”) WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
• The risk of injury from the activities involved is significant and includes but is not limited to the injuries identified above. While particular rules, equipment, and personal discipline may reduce this risk, the risk of serious injury or even death cannot be totally prevented or eliminated. This release includes all claims and liability during or after the trip resulting from a pre-existing medical condition; and
• I AM AWARE THAT ANYONE WHO IS INADEQUATELY PREPARED, OR IN INADEQUATE PHYSICAL CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO BE INJURED OR KILLED. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS A RISK OF BECOMING LOST OR SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE GROUP AND THAT I MAY INCUR PERSONAL LIABILITY FOR THE COSTS OF RESCUE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY BE INJURED WHILE ON LAND OR WHILE TRAVELING VIA MOTOR VEHICLE OR ON FOOT DUE TO MY OWN CARELESSNESS OR BECAUSE OF THE NEGLIGENCE OF OTHERS; and I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RISKS, BOTH KNOWN AND UNKNOWN, AND ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MY PARTICIPATION; AND
• ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, MY HEIRS, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND ASSIGNS, I HEREBY RELEASE, DISCHARGE, WAIVE, AND RELINQUISH ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, RIGHTS AND ACTIONS THAT I MIGHT OTHERWISE HAVE AGAINST, WNMU, STAFF, BOARD OF REGENTS, OFFICERS, OFFICIALS, AGENTS AND/OR EMPLOYEES, OTHER PARTICIPANTS, SPONSORING AGENCIES, SPONSORS, ADVERTISERS AND, IF APPLICABLE, OWNERS AND LESSORS OF PREMISES USED DURING THE WILDERNESS BACKPACKING TRIP (“RELEASEES”) WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO PERSON OR PROPERTY, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES OR OTHERWISE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
• In case of any incident, WNMU and its agents have my consent to release all medical information and incident reports to insurance companies and other agencies deemed appropriate. Should I become injured or ill, I give permission for WNMU's staff to render first aid and to seek emergency medical services. I AM ALSO AWARE THAT ANY MEDICAL SUPPORT PROVIDED FOR THIS EVENT, IF ANY, IS LIKELY TO BE LIMITED TO THAT PROVIDED BY PERSONNEL WITH BASIC FIRST AID TRAINING WHO MAY BE CALLED UPON TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ME DURING THE EVENT. I understand further that any such medical or other services provided to me is not an admission of liability to provide or to continue to provide any such services and is not a waiver by any of said parties’ rights under this agreement . I AM SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EXPENSES I MAY INCUR TO TREAT ILLNESS OR INJURY THAT RESULTS FROM MY PARTICIPATION IN ANY WILDERNESS-BASED TRIP.
• I will comply with WNMU's terms and conditions for participation and will comply with directions from WNMU's Outdoor Program staff regarding participation in the trip. I understand that the USE OF ALCOHOL, RECREATIONAL DRUGS, AND/OR BEING IN POSSESSION OF A CONCEALED WEAPON IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If I observe any safety hazard, I will immediately call the hazard to the attention of the nearest Outdoor Program staff member; and
• I, BEING AN ADULT OVER THE AGE OF 18, HAVE READ THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT, FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY BE GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING IT, AND I SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.
• (TO BE SIGNED BY A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN IN THE EVENT THAT THE WNMU STUDENT IS UNDER THE AGE OF 18). I AM A PARENT/GUARDIAN OF A PARTICIPATING STUDENT AND HAVE READ THIS ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT. I FULLY UNDERSTAND IT'S TERMS. I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY BE GIVING UP SUBSTANTIAL LEGAL RIGHTS BY SIGNING THS FORM, AND I SIGN IT FREELY AND VOLUNTARILY.