The Great Adventure

Well I have had a response from a helpful Tim Nicholl at KE Adventure to my initial queries. 

According to the blurb they need a minimum of six bookings to run the trip - its currently standing at 2 booked, 2 interested plus myself as a possible.  Interestingly he said that they sometimes run a trip even though the minimum figure has not been reached. Encouragingly he also advises that the trip has been " a popular trip with our clients in previous years". Decision day on a go/no go is normally 2 months before, so that gives me about 3 weeks to come to a decision. I really really like the look of this trip but I need to get a handle on the actual cost after adding in all the additional kit I need.

The more observant amongst you will have noticed from the tour dossier the words "flights from £580". So the first shock is to discover that a flight from Manchester (my local international airport) on my preferred departure date of July29th will cost an eye watering £870. I guess I should consider myself lucky as apparently if I were flying via London Heathrow it would cost £920. This is a serious increase in cost of what was already an expensive holiday.

I presume we can blame the usual suspect namely school holidays. Unfortunately I cannot make the September trip and in any event I think the Wyoming weather may be potentially more unpredictable at this time of year.

The flight times are also somewhat trying. Departing Manchester 1125 to Newark New Jersey 1410 and thence departing 1835 to arrive Salt Lake City (SLC) at 2203. I'm not sure what this will be UK time - SLC possibly eight hours behind which would make it about 0603 am UK time. Certainly no opportunity for sight seeing before hitting the hotel bed as the transfer to Jackson is approximately 300 miles.

I have searched around on the web for alternative flights but the only one I can see that is vaguely suitable and cheaper (£100) Air France goes from Manchester via Paris to Atlanta and thence to Salt Lake City. Looks like I am stuck with paying the full wack.

Totting up of costs identified so far shows holiday £1195,  flight £ 870, travel insurance £130 (seems expensive but "ordinary" travel policies have so many exclusions I will need to purchase KE's offered policy which specifically covers back country trekking). I also need to add on spending money for the meals not provided (a rather modest $300 is suggested) so I will double that to $600 (approx $1.84 to £1) gives £326 giving a total of £2521.

A quick scan of the equipment list suggests I will need to source a large rucksack, camping mat, head torch as well as quite a bit of technical clothing. Although it is summer in the Rockies and temperatures can hit the mid 80's during the day, because of the  altitude the night time temperature can drop to 3/4 degrees.

I already have a down sleeping bag and the tent is provided. Did I mention that this is all on the basis of two sharing - better make sure I have the ear plugs as well!

Best guess is another £500 for kit, making a total holiday cost of just on £3000.  So serious thought is required ... and I need to renew my passport!