This page contains information on community agreements, participant expectations, refunds, and cancellations. Some refund policies are event-specific, and in that instance, the refund policy would have been presented to you at the time of sign-up.

Community Agreements

By joining us for an activity, class, program, or any other event, you are agreeing to uphold the following Mazama community agreements:

  • Harassment will not be tolerated on Mazama activities. All participants and leaders are expected to conduct themselves appropriately. Anyone who violates this policy may be denied the opportunity to participate in Mazama activities and/or may have their membership status restricted and/or revoked. Mazamas values the physical, psychological, and emotional safety of all participants, and takes violations of the harassment policy (below) seriously.
  • In case of an accident, illness, or other incapacity, participants are expected to pay their own medical or evacuation expenses whether or not they specifically authorized them. Note that all Mazama members have rescue insurance benefits below 6000 meters worldwide (benefit $5,000; joint AAC membership, $10,000).
  • Leave No Trace principles are to be practiced at all times.
  • Controlled substances, including medications, which impair performance or judgment are not permitted on the activity. No one will be permitted on the activity who has recently taken or used such substances.
  • Alcohol and firearms are not permitted on Mazama activities—no exceptions.
  • No pets are allowed on Mazama activities unless activities are specifically designated otherwise.
  • No media devices are allowed while hiking or climbing. Participants may bring them for rides, but earbuds or headphones must be used at all times.
  • For climbing activities only: Participants 14 years of age or under must be accompanied on the activity by an adult responsible for them, who shall be required to remain with or descend with them. On climbs not scheduled as Family Climbs, neither the leader nor the assistant leader of any climb shall be the responsible adult for a climber 14 years of age or younger. If the responsible adult descends, all climbers for whom he/she is responsible shall be required to descend as well.

Harassment Policy

Mazamas does not condone nor tolerate harassment in connection with any of its programs or activities. The Mazamas is committed to maintaining an environment of respect for its members and others who participate in its activities, free of harassment of any kind including harassment based on sex, race, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other factors, which do not affect the safety of the participants in Mazamas activities.

This policy applies to actions by any member or participant toward another, including in the capacity of a leader, instructor, volunteer, employee or officer. Anyone who believes they have experienced harassment should report the conduct as soon as possible using the Behavioral Incident Reporting form below.

Persons who violate this policy may be denied the opportunity to participate in Mazamas activities and/or may have their membership status restricted or terminated.

File a Behavioral Incident Report

Reporting an Incident

If there is an incident on a Mazama Activity, the activity leader is required to file an Incident Report. This would refer to any injury or illness that requires treatment beyond basic first aid, activation of search and rescue, actions that significantly disrupt participation in the activity, a close-call or near miss. The Incident Report must be filed by the activity leader, but activity participants may also file a report if desired.

File an Incident Report

Reporting a Facilities-Related Incident

If there is an incident related to the Mazama Mountaineering Center, such as a fire alarm or damages to property, the activity leader is required to file an MMC Incident Report. The MMC Incident Report must be filed by the activity leader, but activity participants may also file a report if desired.

File an MMC Incident Report

Activities – Refunds and Cancellations Policy

Activities include climbs, hikes, backpacks, and snowshoes only.

  • If you are accepted on an activity and withdraw or cancel less than 10 days from the activity start, there is no refund.
  • If you are accepted on an activity and withdraw or cancel 10 days or more from activity start, you are eligible to receive a refund of the full activity cost minus $20. 
  • If you are accepted on an activity and the activity is canceled by the Mazama activity leader, you will receive a full refund except in the case where, in order to offer the activity, certain costs had to be paid up-front, such as campgrounds, permits, etc. In this case, there will be a full refund minus the prepaid expenses.
  • If you are accepted on an activity that is changed to a different objective, you have the option for a refund if you choose to not participate in the new objective. (Examples include: Applying for a Mt. Hood climb that is changed to a Mt. Jefferson climb. Applying for a Yocum Ridge hike that is changed to a Elk-Kings Hike.) 
  • ​Cancellations due to medical reasons may receive consideration for a refund on a case-by-case basis. Any medical refund would require a doctor's note. Requests for refunds based on illness must be requested within one week of the activity's start date.

Education Programs – Refunds & Cancellations Policy

Cancelling or withdrawing your application prior to acceptance will produce no charge to your credit card; you are only charged upon acceptance. After acceptance, the following cancellation policy applies:

  • Cancellations received at least 14 days in advance of the class may request a refund, less a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
  • Cancellations received less than 14 days and greater than 7 in advance of class may request a 50% refund.
  • Cancellations received less than 7 days in advance, no-shows, or withdrawals after the class begins will not be issued a refund.
  • Cancellations due to medical issues will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require coordination with the Mazama office to be considered.
  • If a course is cancelled after it has begun, you will be issued a pro-rated refund based on the sessions delivered and the prepaid expenses. Cancellations due to exposure to or contraction of COVID-19 will be eligible for a pro-rated refund.

*COVID-19 Addendum* Cancellations due to COVID-19 symptoms, or exposure to someone with symptoms or diagnosed with COVID-19 before the course begins will be issued a full-refund. Pro-rated refunds based on course participation and prepaid expenses will be provided for mid-course cancellations if due to COVID-19 symptoms, or exposure to someone with symptoms or diagnosed with COVID-19. Please see our full COVID-19 Policies for more information.

Membership Refund Policy

Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable.