I understand and agree that Sherpa may not have reviewed, certified, or investigated the Event, its activities, locations, destinations, means of transportation, and/or routes of travel, and makes no statement or warranty as to the safety of the Event, its services, equipment, training, activities, or itinerary. 

I understand and agree that Sherpa is not an agent of, and has no responsibility for, any third party, including without limitation any sponsor that may provide services, equipment, training, or activities associated with the Event.

I understand and agree that if I become separated from the Event group for any reason, including but not limited to illness, injury, detention, or failure to meet a scheduled departure, Sherpa is not obligated to postpone or delay the Event on my behalf or have personnel remain with me.  I will bear all responsibility and costs to seek out, contact, and reach the Event group at its next available destination or to return home.

I understand and agree that the Event may be changed or altered at any time, and that such changes may result in added personal expenses. I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to seek out and purchase a trip cancellation insurance policy at my own expense and that Sherpa bears no responsibility for the adequacy of any personal trip cancellation insurance policy to cover my trip cancellation needs.

I understand and agree that any personal deviation or personal activity that I choose to engage in is my responsibility alone, and that Sherpa has no obligation to provide emergency assistance, insurance, or financial assistance for illness, injury, or losses that I may experience during my participation in these non-Event activities.

I understand that all activities during the Event involve risk of injury. I also understand that I may be given the opportunity to participate in riskier activities including, walking or climbing up or down steep hills, staircases, walking on uneven or unpaved paths, roads or streets, etc.; however, I acknowledge that I am under no obligation to participate in such riskier activities. To the maximum extent possible, I understand, assume, and accept the risks and hazards involved in participating in the Event, including but not limited to the risk of property loss or damage, illness, injury, or death. This includes risks that may not be known to me or reasonably foreseeable at this time, all risks related to any riskier activities in which I choose to participate, or other known or unknown hazards. 

I unconditionally and fully release, hold harmless, defend, indemnify, and discharge (collectively, “Release”) Sherpa from and against any and all direct and indirect losses, expenses, liabilities, claims, suits, proceedings, demands, judgments, assessments, actions, costs, fees, and damages of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, arising from or related to my involvement in or presence at the Event, including loss, illness, disease, injury or damage to myself or my property (collectively “Claims”), regardless of whether such Claims are caused in whole or in part by the active or passive negligence of Sherpa or otherwise and regardless of whether such Claims have accrued or are hereafter acquired. Additionally, I covenant not to commence a lawsuit or administrative complaint or any sort of proceeding whatsoever against Sherpa at any time in the future based on any right or claim that I may have or hereafter acquire with respect to Claims.

I understand and agree that Sherpa does not provide travel risk services or Travel Accident & Sickness insurance for the Event.

COVID-19 Assumption of Risk and Release: I acknowledge that the COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. I further acknowledge that COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease known to spread through person to person contact and cause severe illness and death in persons who contract COVID-19. While Sherpa may take reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 during the Event, I understand that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any space where people are present and such risk cannot be completely eliminated. Notwithstanding the risks associated with COVID-19, which I readily acknowledge, I willingly choose to participate in the Event and fully assume the risk of COVID-19 related illness or death in connection with my participation in the Event. I hereby release Sherpa from any Claims related to COVID-19 which might occur as a result my participation in the Event. I agree to consult with my medical provider regarding my individual health risks and ability to participate in the Event and further agree to observe any and all public health precautions recommended by federal, state, and local health authorities including overseas health authorities with respect to public gatherings.

Behavioral Expectations: I am qualified to participate in the Event and personally assume responsibility for my actions. I agree that I am responsible for following all rules communicated to me during the Event and will use safety equipment as applicable. I agree that my participation is a privilege, not a right, and Sherpa reserves the right to dismiss me from the Event at my expense with no refund, and/or to refuse to allow my participation in future events/activities. I acknowledge that it is solely my responsibility to determine which aspects of the Event are in keeping with my level of ability, comfort and health, both physically and mentally, and to choose my level of participation accordingly. I also acknowledge that I have a responsibility to heed all warnings and instructions regarding participation in the Event, to maintain control of my person, property, equipment or devices, and to refrain from acting in any manner that may cause or contribute to death or injury to myself or others or damage to property. I understand that recreational use of alcohol and other drugs is prohibited on the premises rented by Sherpa and at Sherpa activities. I will alert an Event supervisor if I become aware of any condition that would be unsafe or hazardous and will cease participation.

Medical Release: I understand and agree that Sherpa does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide medical, health, or disability insurance, and I waive any claim to such coverage against Sherpa. I give permission to Sherpa to obtain medical assistance in the event of an emergency. This permission will include transportation, the administration of medicines, surgical treatment, X-ray examination or hospitalization as might be ordered by a licensed medical doctor. I release and discharge Sherpa from any and all liability for any first aid rendered, treatment performed, or transportation provided or arranged pursuant to this Agreement. Further, I agree that, if I am an adult in my state (see below) and am mentally competent to do so at the time, I will make decisions regarding my health care based on the best information available to me and will not hold Sherpa responsible for my decisions. If I am not mentally competent to make these decisions, I authorize Sherpa to make these decisions on my behalf, and I release Sherpa from any liability arising from or related to medical decisions made in good faith on my behalf. I understand that it is my responsibility to evaluate my physical and mental health and determine whether I am sufficiently healthy to participate in the Event.

Media Release: I grant Sherpa permission to take photographic images and video and/or sound recordings of me in connection with the Event (collectively, “Images/Recordings”). I also grant Sherpa all right, title, and interest to make, use, publish, display, reproduce, distribute, alter, edit, make derivative works of and from, vend, sell, and/or otherwise make available such Images/Recordings, which may include, but is not limited to, posting such Images/Recordings on the internet. I acknowledge and agree that I do not and will not have any claim to any residuals, royalties or other compensation for any uses of such Images/Recordings, including any derivative works thereof.

Governing Law; Scope: I agree that this Agreement is intended to be as inclusive as the laws of Missouri permit. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Missouri and the United States without reference to conflict of laws. The releases set forth herein are intended to include all claims made by my family, estate, heirs, personal representatives and/or assigns. I agree that if a clause or provision of this Agreement is found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid, that finding shall not invalidate any other clause or provision of this Agreement, which shall continue to be enforceable.

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Any claim or dispute arising from or related to this Agreement shall be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of a mutually agreed upon alternative dispute resolution service and such proceeding shall take place in Springfield, Missouri. Judgment upon an arbitration decision may be entered in any court otherwise having jurisdiction. I agree that these methods shall be the sole remedy for any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement and expressly waive my right to file a lawsuit in any civil court against Sherpa for such disputes, except to enforce an arbitration decision.