Your safety is at the heart of how we plan and operate every Earth’s Edge expedition.
Adventure travel and high-altitude trekking involve inherent risks, and no mountain environment can ever be made risk-free. Our role is to identify and manage those risks carefully, work with experienced people on the ground, prepare our clients properly and have clear plans in place when circumstances change.
Since 2007, we’ve taken thousands of people on expeditions around the world. Our approach combines experienced local Expedition Guides and in-country teams, detailed planning and risk management, small groups, pre-departure preparation and professional medical support where it is most valuable.
Our Expedition Teams
Experienced Expedition Guides
Our expeditions are led on the ground by experienced local expedition guides who know the routes, terrain, conditions and communities in their destinations exceptionally well.
Every expedition has an expedition guide responsible for leading the group on the ground, supported by the wider guiding team where required.
Many of the guides we work with have been leading Earth’s Edge groups for years, and some work almost exclusively with our teams.
Meet our Expedition Guides and in-country teams
Trusted In-Country Teams
Behind every expedition is a wider in-country team.
Depending on the destination, this may include additional guides, Sherpas, porters, cooks, drivers, mule handlers and other support staff.
We build long-term relationships with trusted teams around the world and choose teams based on their experience, local expertise, operational standards and approach to looking after both clients and staff.
These teams are not simply part of the logistics of an expedition. They are central to the experience and to operating safely in environments they know intimately.
Expedition Doctors
A dedicated Earth’s Edge expedition doctor travels with the group on many of our high-altitude expeditions, including Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu, Everest Base Camp and Mount Toubkal.
Their presence provides an additional layer of medical support, particularly at altitude. They travel as part of the group and can assess illness or injury, monitor clients where appropriate and support the expedition team in making medical decisions.
Medical arrangements vary by expedition. For example, Aconcagua has local medical support at Base Camp, while some of our lower-altitude expeditions do not travel with a dedicated doctor.
The individual expedition page will always explain the medical support included on that particular trip.
Read why we include doctors on many high-altitude expeditions
The Earth’s Edge Team in Ireland
Our team in Ireland works closely with our in-country teams before every departure.
We coordinate the expedition logistics, client preparation and documentation and remain available to support the team on the ground if circumstances change.
Before you travel, we’re also here to answer questions about training, equipment, flights, insurance and what to expect from your expedition.
How We Manage Safety
Planning & Risk Management
Every expedition is planned in detail before departure.
We assess the specific risks associated with the route and destination and put appropriate procedures and contingency plans in place. These may cover areas such as altitude, weather, terrain, transport, communications, medical facilities and evacuation.
Risk assessments are reviewed and updated as required, particularly when routes, conditions or operating arrangements change.
New destinations undergo additional research and assessment before we operate them.
Experienced Local Knowledge
Conditions in the mountains can change quickly.
Working with experienced local expedition guides means decisions on the ground are informed by people with detailed knowledge of the route, weather patterns, terrain, local infrastructure and emergency procedures.
The expedition guide has responsibility for the day-to-day management of the group on the ground and will adjust plans when circumstances require it.
Communication & Emergency Support
Expedition teams carry communication equipment appropriate to the destination and environment. Depending on the trip, this may include mobile phones, radios and satellite communication.
Our team in Ireland also provides emergency support to expeditions while they are operating.
Each expedition has destination-specific emergency and evacuation procedures, including information on appropriate local medical facilities and emergency contacts.
Medical Support
Medical provision is tailored to the expedition.
Where a dedicated Earth’s Edge expedition doctor travels with the group, they carry an expedition medical kit appropriate to the environment and itinerary.
Other trips may rely on local medical facilities, mountain-rescue infrastructure or destination-specific medical support.
High-altitude expeditions may also carry additional safety and monitoring equipment appropriate to the route.
The exact medical and safety provision for each trip is based on its particular risks rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Pre-Departure Preparation
Preparation starts long before you reach the mountain.
All of our expeditions include a pre-departure training weekend in Wicklow, Ireland. These weekends give you the opportunity to spend time in the hills, meet other members of your group and get practical advice on training, equipment, pacing and what to expect.
Attendance is optional, but we strongly recommend taking part.
You’ll also receive destination-specific information and equipment guidance before departure.
Medical Information
For expeditions where medical information or a Doctor’s Consent Form is required, we will explain exactly what needs to be completed before departure.
Relevant medical information is made available securely to the appropriate members of the expedition team so that they can understand any declared conditions, medications or other factors that may be important during the trip.
Requirements vary by expedition and are communicated to you after booking.
Equipment
Every destination is different, so the equipment carried by the expedition team varies according to the route, altitude, terrain and available infrastructure.
Depending on the expedition, team equipment may include communication devices, medical equipment, group shelters, technical climbing equipment and altitude-related safety equipment.
Clients receive a detailed equipment list specific to their expedition before travelling.
Group Sizes
We deliberately keep our expedition groups relatively small.
Most Earth’s Edge expeditions have a maximum group size of either 12 or 16, with the smaller maximum group sizes applicable on some more challenging or technical expeditions.
Smaller groups allow our expedition guides, in-country teams and expedition doctors where present to provide more individual support. They also help create the strong team dynamic that is an important part of an Earth’s Edge expedition.
Check the individual expedition page for the maximum group size for your trip.
During Your Expedition
Daily Decision-Making
Our published itinerary is the plan, but safety always takes priority over sticking rigidly to it.
Your expedition guide will monitor conditions throughout the trip and may adjust the pace, route, timings or itinerary where necessary.
Weather, trail conditions, altitude, group welfare and local circumstances can all influence decisions in mountain environments.
Clients are expected to follow the instructions of their expedition guide and other appropriate members of the expedition team where those instructions relate to safety or the operation of the trip.
Altitude
On high-altitude expeditions, acclimatisation is an important part of both the itinerary and the day-to-day management of the group.
Routes are designed to provide appropriate acclimatisation where possible, and our expedition guides set a steady pace as altitude increases.
Where an Earth’s Edge expedition doctor travels with the group, they provide additional medical support and assessment throughout the expedition.
Fitness does not prevent altitude illness, so we encourage everyone to communicate openly about how they are feeling and to follow the guidance of the expedition team.
Hygiene, Food & Water
Good hygiene is particularly important in remote environments.
Our in-country teams follow destination-appropriate procedures around food preparation, drinking water and camp hygiene.
Where water treatment is required, drinking water is boiled, filtered or otherwise treated as appropriate to the expedition.
Emergencies & Evacuation
Every expedition has contingency and emergency procedures appropriate to the destination.
If someone becomes ill or injured, the response will depend on the circumstances, location and available infrastructure. This may involve treatment on the ground, changing the itinerary, descending, using local transport or arranging an evacuation.
Our expedition guides and in-country teams are familiar with the local emergency infrastructure and appropriate medical facilities.
Where a dedicated expedition doctor travels with the group, medical decisions are made with their professional input.
The Earth’s Edge team in Ireland remains available to support the expedition team and coordinate with clients’ emergency contacts where necessary.
All clients must have travel insurance that meets the requirements of their particular expedition, including appropriate trekking, altitude and evacuation cover.
Your Role in Staying Safe
Safety is a shared responsibility.
Before travelling, we ask you to:
- Read the information provided for your expedition
- Train appropriately for the level of trip you have chosen
- Bring the required clothing and equipment
- Complete any medical documentation required for your expedition accurately
- Arrange appropriate travel insurance
- Follow current travel-health and government travel advice
- Tell us if anything relevant to your health or fitness changes before departure
During the expedition, we ask you to:
- Follow safety instructions from your expedition guide and appropriate members of the expedition team
- Communicate honestly about illness, injury or how you are feeling at altitude
- Treat other participants and members of our in-country teams with respect
- Use the required equipment and follow agreed safety procedures
- Understand that itineraries may need to change when conditions require it
In exceptional circumstances, someone whose actions place themselves or others at risk may be asked to leave the expedition in accordance with our Booking Conditions.
Health and Safety Policy
Earth’s Edge is committed to managing our expeditions responsibly and reducing foreseeable risks as far as reasonably practicable.
Our approach is based on detailed planning, competent and experienced expedition teams, destination-specific risk assessments, appropriate communications and emergency procedures, client preparation and ongoing review.
Before Departure
Earth’s Edge will:
- Provide all relevant health, safety and preparation information before travel
- Provide destination-specific equipment guidance
- Explain relevant environment, cultural and operational considerations
- Direct clients to appropriate official travel advice, including Ireland’s DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) website for up-to-date travel advice.
- Explain any medical forms, screening or GP consultation required for the particular expedition
- Provide pre-departure training opportunities
- Provide information on the travel-insurance requirements for the trip
Expedition Teams
Earth’s Edge will:
- Work with experienced expedition guides and established in-country partners appropriate to each destination
- Use appropriately qualified medical professionals where a dedicated expedition doctor forms part of the expedition
- Work with in-country partners whose operational standards and working practices meet our requirements, including ethical principles, fair treatment and payment of staff
- Provide the expedition team with relevant operational and participant information before departure
Risk Management
Earth’s Edge will:
- Maintain destination-specific risk assessments and operational procedures
- Review and update these where routes, conditions or arrangements change
- Establish appropriate emergency and evacuation procedures
- Research and assess new destinations before operating expeditions there
- Ensure relevant members of the expedition team understand the plans and procedures applicable to their trip
On the Ground
Earth’s Edge will:
- Use communication methods appropriate to the destination and environment
- Ensure appropriate safety, group and medical equipment is available for the specific expedition
- Brief participants on relevant hazards and safety procedures
- Follow applicable national park rules, local laws and established mountain-safety practices
- Maintain appropriate food, water and hygiene procedures
- Adjust the itinerary where conditions or participant welfare require it
Incidents and Emergencies
Earth’s Edge will:
- Maintain appropriate emergency contacts and communication procedures
- Ensure the expedition team understands the relevant local medical and evacuation options
- Keep records of significant incidents, accidents and emergencies
- Review incidents where appropriate and use lessons learned to improve future procedures
- Maintain communication between the team on the ground and Earth’s Edge in Ireland during significant incidents
Earth’s Edge Child Protection Policy
Earth’s Edge is committed to safeguarding young people who take part in our activities and expeditions.
All young people within an Earth’s Edge expedition, regardless of age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious beliefs or sexual identity have the right to be protected.
We believe that taking part in an Earth’s Edge expedition is a positive and enjoyable experience for a young person. To ensure all young participants achieve this Earth’s Edge promises to:
- Ensure that all expedition leaders and doctors undertake a vetting procedure. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 provides a statutory basis for the vetting of persons carrying out relevant work with children or vulnerable persons.
- Obtain medical declaration forms from all minors which will be co-signed by a parent/guardian. Medical details will only be shared with appropriate members of staff.
- Only employ expedition leaders and doctors that are fully qualified and experienced for their role.
- Obtain parental/ guardianship consent for all minors wishing to partake in an Earth’s Edge expedition.
- Conduct a full risk assessment of all elements of the expedition with special consideration for underage participants.
- Include parents/guardians in all correspondence with minors and will ensure they are properly briefed on all details of the expedition.
- Ensure that there are appropriate staff – participant ratios with regard to numbers and gender.
Our commitment to our young clients
Earth’s Edge is committed to safeguarding the wellbeing of its participants. We foster a climate of respect and understanding for the rights, safety and welfare of young people. We are committed policies and procedures to ensure that everyone knows and accepts their responsibility in relation to a duty of care for young people.
We make sure that
- All Earth’s Edge staff, teachers and accompanying parents/ guardians will understand and be supported in their role and responsibility with regard to the duty of care for young people while on an expedition.
- All suspicions and allegations will be taken seriously, managed and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.
- Earth’s Edge reviews this policy annually.
