LifeTrail Hiking Gear Hire Terms & Conditions

1. Availability of Gear

LifeTrail offers limited hiking equipment for hire to confirmed participants attending a LifeTrail expedition.

Gear hire is not available as a standalone rental service.

Items available for hire include:

  • Hiking backpacks
  • One-person tents
  • Sleeping mats
  • Inflatable pillows
  • Hiking stoves and gas canisters
  • Headlamps

Sleeping bags are not available for hire.

2. Condition of Equipment

All equipment is checked prior to issue and provided in clean, functional condition suitable for expedition use.

Outdoor equipment may show reasonable signs of prior use. This does not affect performance or safety.

Participants are provided with guidance on correct use where required.

3. Responsibility for Use

Equipment remains the property of LifeTrail at all times.

The hirer (parent/guardian or paying adult) acknowledges that:

  • The participant is responsible for using equipment safely and appropriately.
  • Equipment must only be used for its intended hiking purpose.
  • Equipment must not be modified, dismantled, or altered.
  • Care must be taken to prevent unnecessary damage.

LifeTrail provides safety briefings and guidance during expeditions. Participants are expected to follow all instructions provided.

4. Collection and Return of Gear

Gear must be collected from and returned to the location, date and time advised by LifeTrail prior to the hike, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Any variation to collection or return arrangements must be communicated and agreed in advance.

Once equipment has been issued and leaves LifeTrail’s custody, responsibility transfers to the hirer subject to these terms.

5. No Refund After Release

Once hired equipment has departed LifeTrail, there are no refunds for unused hire days, including where equipment is not used during the expedition.

Gear allocation forms part of expedition logistics and planning, and hire fees reflect equipment reservation and availability.

6. Late Return and Additional Charges

Hired gear must be returned by the agreed return date.

If gear is not returned within three (3) days of the hike’s completion (for example, if a hike ends Sunday, return is required by end of Wednesday unless otherwise agreed), additional hire charges may apply.

For each additional day the gear is late:

  • The applicable daily hire rate at the time of booking may be charged.
  • Charges may be processed to the card used to make the initial booking.

LifeTrail will provide written notice prior to processing any late return charge.

7. Use of Hiking Stoves & Gas

Participants receive instruction on safe stove and gas operation prior to and during the expedition.

Participants must:

  • Use stoves outdoors only
  • Never operate stoves inside tents
  • Maintain appropriate distance from tents and flammable materials
  • Operate stoves responsibly and in accordance with instructions provided

Participants are encouraged to practice safe stove operation at home prior to the expedition. Any home use is the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Damage resulting from misuse, unsafe operation, or failure to follow safety instructions may result in repair or replacement charges.

8. Fair Wear and Tear

Normal wear consistent with multi-day hiking use is expected and accepted.

This includes:

  • Minor dirt or dust
  • Light fabric wear
  • Normal ground contact marks

LifeTrail does not charge for reasonable expedition wear.

9. Loss or Damage

If equipment is:

  • Lost
  • Destroyed
  • Damaged beyond reasonable repair
  • Returned in unsafe or unusable condition

LifeTrail reserves the right to charge the reasonable replacement cost of the item.

Replacement cost means the current retail price of a comparable item of similar quality and specification.

If an item can be repaired, only the reasonable repair cost will be charged.

LifeTrail will notify the hirer in writing prior to any charge and provide explanation if requested.

10. Charging Authority

By selecting gear hire, the hirer authorises LifeTrail to charge the bank card originally used to pay for the hike for any approved repair, replacement, or late return costs in accordance with these terms.

No deposit is required.

11. Personal Belongings

LifeTrail is not responsible for personal items stored within hired equipment.

Participants are responsible for safeguarding their own belongings.

12. Acceptance of Terms

By selecting gear hire and completing payment, the hirer confirms acceptance of these Gear Hire Terms & Conditions.

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