Force Majeure Events

Force majeure events refer to unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of any party, which prevent or hinder the fulfillment of obligations under a contract or agreement. These events are typically unpredictable, unavoidable, and outside the realm of normal risks, making it impossible to proceed as planned.

Natural Disasters

  1. Severe Weather Conditions:

    • Heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowstorms, or hailstorms;

    • Extreme heatwaves or sudden temperature drops;

    • Hurricanes affecting the region.

  2. Earthquakes: Causing structural damage to trails or infrastructure.

  3. Flooding: Including flash floods in valleys, riverbanks, or low-lying areas.

  4. Landslides or Avalanches: Making trails inaccessible or dangerous.

  5. Wildfires or Forest Fires: Due to dry weather or lightning strikes.

Health and Epidemics

  1. Global or Regional Pandemics: Travel restrictions or health advisories (e.g., COVID-19).

  2. Outbreaks of Local Diseases:

    • Vector-borne illnesses like malaria, dengue, or tick-borne diseases in the area.

  3. Airborne Health Hazards:

    • Poor air quality due to nearby wildfires or industrial accidents.

Geopolitical and Legal Issues

  1. Government Mandates:

    • Trail or park closures for safety or conservation purposes.

    • Emergency declarations or restrictions due to political unrest or conflict.

  2. Civil Unrest:

    • Riots, protests, or demonstrations near travel routes or hiking locations.

  3. Terrorism or Acts of War:

    • Threats or active conflicts in the region.

  4. Border Closures: In case of international hiking trips.

Infrastructure and Transportation Issues

  1. Transportation Disruptions:

    • Road closures, bridge collapses, or public transport strikes.

    • Canceled or delayed flights for participants traveling to the event.

    • The modes of transportation used for the trip experience a breakdown or the driver is unable to perform his job.

  2. Utility Failures:

    • Communication network outages, electricity blackouts, or lack of access to potable water.

  3. Accidents or Damage to Critical Facilities:

    • Damaged lodges, base camps, or staging areas due to accidents or external events.

Human Factors

  1. Key Personnel Issues:

    • Sudden illness, injury, or unavailability of guides, or other essential staff.

  2. Significant Participant Issues:

    • A portion of the group experiencing health emergencies or personal crises.

Unforeseeable Global Events

  1. Technological Failures:

    • GPS or navigation system outages critical for safe hiking.

  2. Cybersecurity Incidents:

    • Hacks or data breaches affecting online booking systems or critical trip communication.

  3. Environmental Incidents:

    • Industrial accidents, oil spills, or chemical leaks affecting nearby hiking areas.

  4. Space Weather Events:

    • Solar flares or geomagnetic storms disrupting communication or navigation systems.

Other Unpredictable Events

  1. Large-Scale Accidents:

    • Plane crashes, train derailments, or other significant accidents near the hiking area.

  2. Massive Crowds or Overcrowding:

    • Unanticipated gatherings or events (e.g., festivals, rallies) overwhelming the region.

  3. Animal Invasions or Infestations:

    • Locust swarms or other animal activity that significantly disrupts the environment.