omg
i am looking at REI’s hiking trips
WHO WOULD PAY $2,000 TO GO HIKING IN CAPITOL REEF?!?!
seriously i will throw you in my car and drive you there for like $250 tops
should i start charging people to take hiking trips??? like, strangers with too much money who want a ~mountain guide~
1) OMG that is an ABSURD amount of money.
2) I would really, really recommend against charging strangers to be their hiking guide. I mean, not inherently, but part of the reason (I’m guessing) REI charges so much is:
- They have professional, certified mountain guides who are possible trained in rescue EMT, CPR, etc, etc
- They include gear, food, transport, and training in that cost
- That cost may include extras like rafting or other seasonal activities (ice climbing?(
- Insurance for the hikers
I’m not saying you shouldn’t become a mountain guide ever, but you’re taking on a huge liability when you guide someone—you’re taking responsibility for them and for their safety and anything bad that happens to them is (like it or not) your fault.
And I’m sure you know this! And I’m sure you’re a safe hiker! And I bet you’d be an awesome guide! But if you’re actually interested in doing guiding, certification and coursework really is necessary (and on some mountains, required).
I would take the steps to make sure you’re doing it professionally and then charge strangers absurd amounts of money (and more than $250) for your expertise and experience.
I hope this isn’t to negative, my caveat is that I mostly read/think about the world of Himalayan climbing where inexperienced, untrained guide + naive rich client = nearly always death, injury, or robbery. Guiding is awesome and important, but it’s important because people lives will depend on you. Do it, but do it right.
