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How do I redeem my voucher and for which travel dates is it valid? Are there blackout dates?
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To redeem your voucher, simply reach out to Beyond the Map as instructed in your confirmation email, and be sure to provide your order number. Voucher is valid for travel between May 1, 2021 until November 30, 2021 and April 1, 2022 until November 30, 2022 with the exception of listed blackout dates. The operator recommends requesting your desired dates at least 60 days prior to departure in order to coordinate the logistics of your trip. Requests within the 60 day period may still be requested but may have a lower chance of being approved. Please wait for confirmation from Beyond the Map before making your travel arrangements.
The following blackout periods apply. Holiday rates are available; please contact our Adventures Team for pricing.
2021 Dates
May 29-31, 2021
July 1-5, 2021
September 3-6, 2021
November 22-29, 2021
December 31-January 1, 2022
2022 Dates
April 15-17, 2022
May 27-30, 2022
June 9-12, 2022
July 1-4, 2022
September 2-5, 2022
October 7-10, 2022
October 28-31, 2022
November 23-27, 2022
December 22-January 1, 2023
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Are private departures available?
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Private departures are available with a minimum of four people. A private trip is able to be customized for the group and is generally a more flexible option for the group. There is also the option to make this trip dog friendly with an itinerary that is developed around your furry family members! Please contact our Adventures Team for pricing and availability.
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Are departures guaranteed?
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There is a minimum of four participants required for each departure to run. Additionally, Beyond the Map operates with permissions from local State Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and other land agencies that govern the Commercial Use Authorizations, and those management agencies can deny access based on various factors in which your guides will have to oblige. Please wait until you receive confirmation from Beyond the Map before making travel arrangements.
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Are there any other conditions that may prevent this trip from running?
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All Beyond the Map trips are subject to itinerary changes based on a variety of circumstances beyond their control, including, but not limited to, permit or campsite availability, flash floods, river crossings, wildlife, park or land closures, or other conditions that may deem a location unfit or unsafe for guests. This trip requires a minimum of four people to operate and may be rescheduled or canceled if the minimum requirement is not met. Beyond the Map reserves the right to cancel any trip because of internal reasons including but not limited to inadequate signups or the inability to secure a similar experience in the event of itinerary changes.
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What is the best way to get to the trip start location?
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The trip begins and ends at Coopers Rock State Forest, WV. If joining the trip directly from the airport, there are several options for flying, with the closest being Morgantown Regional Airport (MGW) (15 minutes from the campground). A more affordable option could be major airports in Pittsburgh (1.5 hours) or Washington DC (2.5-3 hours). If you arrive to Morgantown, Beyond the Map can provide complimentary shuttles to the campground with advance notice.
If you are arriving from Pittsburgh or Washington DC airports, you can rent a car, hire a car service, or request a pick up from Beyond the Map for an additional fee. Please contact our Adventures Team to explore pricing and availability.
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What are the accommodations like?
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You'll be tent camping at an established state park campground for the duration of the trip. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit. There is a central bathroom with flushing toilets and running water available for campground guests. Some campsites have showers, but they fill up fast and are often crowded. Access to showers cannot be guaranteed. During certain activities, bathrooms may not be available. Please be prepared to follow Leave No Trace (LNT) principles when using the restroom outdoors. Please note, cell phone reception is unreliable and electricity is not available at the tent camping locations.
Tents include MSR Elixer 1 or REI Half Dome 2+ or similar. Specific tent sizes and brands may vary based on availability.
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Can solo travelers have their own tent? Is there a single supplement fee?
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Solo travelers will receive their own tents, sleeping bag, and pad for no additional fee. Guests traveling in pairs will be asked to share a tent.
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How large is each travel group?
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Each group will have a minimum of four and a maximum of 10 participants.
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What is the minimum age required for this trip?
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For scheduled tours, the minimum age is 16 years old. However, private tours are able to accommodate children younger than 16 years old on a case-by-case basis. This age restriction is due to the river rafting portion of the trip; a family can customize their own trip to paddle a more family-friendly section of the river.
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Are meals included? What is the food like?
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All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on the final day. Each guide tailors the menu for the specific trip and is extensively trained on camping food handling and meal planning. During physically demanding days, the goal is to provide meals that are not only tasty but also packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
For breakfast you can expect items such as oatmeal, eggs, granola, bagels, fruit, etc. To optimize your activity time, the trip normally uses packed lunches that may include sandwiches, granola bars, fruit, chips, etc. For dinner at camp, you can expect meals such as pastas, burritos, hamburgers, curry, etc. In addition, your guide will provide an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion during the activities.
Beyond the Map can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets, and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests require at least two weeks advance notice and may require an additional fee.
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What is the weather like?
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West Virginia has four seasons. The late spring and early summer is a great time for those looking for a more thrilling white water rafting experience; however, the water and camping conditions may be cooler in comparison to the warm and humid summer months. Climbing and hiking tend to be more enjoyable during the spring/late summer and early fall. Rafting water levels drop towards the end of summer/early fall and are much more subdued in comparison to spring flows.
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What should people bring? Do you have a packing list?
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The Beyond the Map trip director will provide a detailed packing list upon booking. The trip director will also schedule a virtual meeting prior to the trip to discuss the packing list, gear alternatives, and to answer any questions ahead of time.
Clothing:
- Athletic/Hiking Shoes
- Water shoes (Must be secured to your feet - Chacos, Keens, neoprene booties, or old tennis shoes)
- Camp Shoes
- Bandana/buff
- Fleece/jacket (weather depending)
- Athletic top & bottoms (light-weight, quick drying)
- Bathing suit
- Sleeping attire
- Rainproof jacket (weather depending)
Gear:
- Water bottles or bladder: 2-3 liters total capacity (available to rent)
- Camp pillow (available to rent)
- Contact lenses and glasses: if you wear contact lenses please also bring a pair of glasses - your contacts are likely to become dirty and may be difficult to clean
- Sun protection: Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm
- Bug repellent
- Toiletries & Towel
- Headlamp/spare batteries
- Camera, spare batteries (optional)
- Notebook or paperback book (optional)
- Travel hammock (optional)
- Prescription medicine
- Money: for tipping your trip leader (optional but appreciated, generally 10-20% of your trip cost based upon the quality of your experience)
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How much extra money should people budget?
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It is recommended that you bring an allotment of cash for personal items you would like to buy during the trip (souvenirs, alcohol, personal items). You should also budget for the industry recommended guide gratuity of 10-20% of the trip cost.
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What kind of physical shape is needed in order to participate? Is there any special preparation/training required for this trip?
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This adventure may include 4-6 hours of continuous activity for multiple days in a row. Beyond the Map welcomes guests of all physical conditions, however, guests with significant medical conditions should contact Beyond the Map ahead of time for their safety and the safety of the guides and other participants. Each of these activities takes place outdoors and you may be exposed to adverse weather conditions such as rain, intense heat, sun, and insects.
While no experience is necessary, it is highly recommended that participants have some exposure to the featured activities prior to joining the trip. For this particular trip, having white water rafting experience or being very comfortable on or in water would be incredibly beneficial. The trip director will serve as a source of knowledge for planning and preparation prior to the trip. No experience necessary, just a calling for adventure!
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Are there additional activities that I can purchase? Can I extend my trip?
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This itinerary is all-inclusive; however, Beyond the Map encourages travelers to extend their time while in West Virginia. There are options to add additional days on to the trip to include activities such as biking, caving, Via Ferrata, kayaking, and more. Please contact our Adventures Team for pricing and availability.
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Do you require or recommend travel insurance?
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We highly recommend you purchase trip insurance. It allows you to seek reimbursement if you are forced to cancel your trip for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to cover medical help, emergency transport, and/or theft or accidental damage while traveling. We recommend VisitorsCoverage as a provider.
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Are there special requirements for entry into the destination I am visiting?
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We recommend you visit the local government websites where you plan to travel and review the required documentation for entry, current restrictions, and general recommendations for travel within the area. We encourage you to also visit your home country's embassy website if you are traveling to a foreign country. Requirements can change rapidly. Please be sure you stay abreast of the requirements and restrictions for anywhere you plan to visit. You can also enroll in the U.S. government’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and you will be sent updates if the situation in your destination changes. You can find the program link at https://step.state.gov/.
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Can I cancel or modify my trip?
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Yes! Book confidently with Free Cancellations within 72 hours of booking. After 72 hours, cancellation fees will apply.
New For 2021 Departures: We’re providing more flexible booking options on this trip.
Up to 60 days prior to departure*
You may postpone or modify your trip up to 60 days prior to departure with no fees or penalties.
You will have the option to:
1) Select a new date within one year of your original departure date
2) Select a new adventure or destination, or
3) Receive 100% lifetime store credit toward a future trip.
*Please note, when choosing a new date, you must choose a date within the same travel season in 2022 to avoid any additional trip costs. If you select a new adventure, you will be responsible for the difference of any additional trip costs above the value of your current trip.
Less than 60 days prior to a departure*
You may have the option to select a new date and travel within one year of your original departure date, but additional trip costs may apply and new dates are subject to availability. If you choose not to reschedule your trip you may have the option to cancel, but standard cancellation fees will apply.
*If you choose to cancel, you will receive a lifetime credit, minus cancellation fees, towards a future trip.
For more information on our Travel Cancellation Policy please Click Here.