What you’ll want to know before booking.

Cancellations must be made in writing; an email is fine. The 30% deposit is not refunded. Of the remaining balance you get back:

If YAD cancels the trip, for example due to force majeure or unsafe conditions, you choose between a full refund (including the deposit) or another date. Cancellation insurance is therefore required. See the terms and conditions.

Your booking is confirmed once the 30% deposit has been received. The remaining 70% is due no later than three months before departure. Once the deposit is received, we schedule the preparation day in the Netherlands together.

You arrange adequate travel and cancellation insurance yourself. Under our terms and conditions, this must also cover medical costs and accidents.

You don’t need to be an experienced outdoor athlete. You do need reasonable basic fitness and the willingness to spend several days outdoors in changing weather. You carry your own pack through rough terrain: forest, rock, streams and lakeshores.

On the preparation day, Jay sees how you handle yourself outdoors and sets the level of the trip accordingly. Beginners and experienced hikers are both welcome.

The trip is built around you or your group, so there’s no larger group to keep up with. Jay sets the level in advance, based on the preparation day. He has yet to see anyone who couldn’t keep up: the pace, and with it the whole trip, is adjusted to the participant.

Yes. Before departure you complete a health questionnaire and disclose anything that may affect your participation, such as allergies and physical or mental conditions. You also sign a participation waiver. Health data is kept for a maximum of six months and is not shared with third parties unless the law or your safety requires it. Jay is a certified Wilderness First Responder.

Not sure whether you can take part? Bring it up in the first conversation.

Weather is part of the trip: you’re outside for several days, rain or shine. That’s why the route isn’t fixed. Jay sets out with a plan and alternatives, and adapts the route to the weather and to safety. In a storm, or heavy rain with a risk of flooding, we adjust the plan and the route as carefully and safely as we can.

If conditions are unsafe, YAD may reschedule or cancel the trip. You then choose between a full refund or another date.

There’s usually no signal out there, and that’s the point. For emergencies, Jay carries a Garmin inReach satellite messenger. It lets him send messages without phone coverage, and people at home can send messages to it too. Jay is a certified Wilderness First Responder. You bring a small first aid kit and an emergency whistle yourself.

All meals during the trip are included: breakfast, lunch and dinner. You cook together over fire or stove, and where possible you catch your own trout. You bring your own coffee or tea. We take dietary requirements and allergies into account; just let us know when we put your trip proposal together.

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed during the trip.

Setesdal is about an hour and a half from Kristiansand. You get to Kristiansand by plane or ferry; the flight or crossing isn’t included in the price. The trip lasts seven days in total, two of which are travel days. Pick-up in Kristiansand and drop-off afterwards are not included, but can be arranged; mention it when we put the trip proposal together. Accommodation on the travel days is not included. If you travel by ferry, Jay can give you tips on places to stay in Denmark.

You bring your own clothing, toiletries and a few personal items. Backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat and cooking gear are in the weekpack, which is included in the trip. Knife, map, compass, firesteel and fishing rod are on loan. Everything is in the kit list.

Yes. On a one-to-one trip you travel alone with Jay and the trip is shaped entirely around you. See the rates.

No. YAD never puts strangers together in a group. You travel alone, as a pair, or with an existing group of three or four, such as friends, family or business partners.