Terms of service

This document is divided into two parts. The first part, Rental Policies, is our explanation in everyday language of what we agree to and what your responsibility is when renting gear from Backcountryessentials. The second part, Rental Agreement, is the legal stuff required by our insurance company. If you have any questions about any of this, please email us at [email protected] or call us at (360) 543 5678. Thank you and we hope you have a great outdoor adventure!

Rental Policies

Backcountryessentials sales and rentals are subject to the following terms and conditions. We keep things straightforward and easy for you. Rental gear is also subject to the Backcountryessentials, LLC Rental Agreement which is in this document immediately following the Rental Policies.

Start Date

Your start date is after 4pm the day before you need your equipment.

Return Date

This is the day you must drop your gear off with us on the last day of your expected rental.

Cleanliness is cool.

Don’t forget, all gear must be clean (meaning not full of dirt) and dry (meaning dry, except for incidental wetness on ski boots and skins). If you don’t return gear clean and dry, we will charge you an additional fee. Mold and mildew can do a lot of damage and we don’t want to charge you for it.

Calculating Length of Rental

If your trip starts Friday and you come back to civilization and drop your gear off on a Sunday, we consider that three days including picking up the gear on Thursday after 4pm. Or for a single day example, one would pick up the gear on Thursday after 4pm, and have it back by Friday eve closing at 7pm, or on Sundays we close at 5pm, so dropping off equipment on Monday by 11am is OK too.

Don’t be Late

We make commitments knowing that you will get your gear back on time. If for some reason this doesn’t happen, we will charge you for the missed reservation after yours. This adds up pretty quickly and we don’t want you to be surprised by it.

Damaged Gear

The Backcountryessentials crew has done a lot of skiing, camping and backpacking and we know all about normal wear that comes with usage. However, we also know the kind of gear we carry lasts for years and years. With that in mind, rips, and tears, stains and missing parts, burn holes, and dents, etc. are things we will charge you for.

Lost or Stolen Gear

When you rent, it is your responsibility to get it back to us. If we don’t get it back, we will need to charge you the retail value of the item.

Reserving Gear

Please reserve your gear as far in advance as possible. We will run out of some items during our busy times.

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel two days or more in advance of your pick-up date or ship date, we have a “go in peace” policy…..no charge. If you cancel less than two days in advance of your pick-up date, we will charge you in full.

Returning Gear Clean and Dry

At Backcountryessentials, we expect gear to be returned clean and dry. Clean for you means shake the dirt out of the inside of the tent and other gear, knock the mud off ski boots, etc. It’s important to know that we reserve the right to charge a cleaning fee if your gear comes back unsuitably dirty or so wet that it cannot be dried in a night. How often do we do that? Not often. And if you are in a situation where you have to return gear back damp or wet, a phone call will go a long way in avoiding charges.

With that said, we understand normal wear and tear on rental items. If items are damaged, let's say you put your tent or sleeping bag too close to the fire and holes were burned in it, there is a fee for fixing or replacing.  Just treat the gear like you own it and there shouldn’t be any problem.

If you didn’t learn what you wanted from our rental information page, please call or email us and we will be happy to answer any questions.

Rental Agreement

By renting Our Equipment from Backcountryessentials, LLC, You agree to Our Terms and Conditions in this Rental Agreement (Agreement)

Rent: In addition to the amounts coming due under any other provision(s) of this contract, You agree to pay Backcountryessentials, LLC, the rent specified in your invoice, without reduction or setoff, for the periods commencing upon the Time Out and continuing without interruption until the Actual Time in. If You fail to return any Equipment when it is Due in, You will continue to pay Backcountryessentials, LLC, rent on the basis of 1-day rental charge per additional day out, for all additional time elapsed (a “Late Period”) until the equipment is returned to, and accepted by, Backcountryessentials, LLC, or if another reservation is missed because the item was not returned, you will be required to pay what was due for that rental missed. (Optional: If you fail to obtain our prior approval of any Late Period, we may at our option, increase the periodic rent by daily rental fees for the duration of such Late Period, as a premium and not as a penalty). Any Equipment not returned within 3 days following Your rental dates duration will be deemed lost and in addition to Late Fees, You will be charged full retail Equipment replacement fees.

Security Deposit: You agree that Backcountryessentials, LLC, may deduct any amount you owe from any deposit (whether identified as a ‘Security Deposit’ or otherwise) or credit card you have provided to us. The amount of such deposit is not a limit of your liability or responsibility for the Equipment. You will not be entitled to interest on the Security Deposit.

Possession/Title: Backcountryessentials, LLC, owns the Equipment, and title in and to all of it will remain Backcountryessentials, LLC, at all times. You are entitled to use and possess the Equipment for the Rental Period, subject to the terms of the Agreement. If you retain any of the Equipment beyond the agreed Term without Our express written consent, You will be deemed to have materially breached the Agreement.

Credit Card Authorization: Subject to such limitations as may be set forth in applicable law, You irrevocably and unconditionally authorize Us to immediately submit for payment on the credit card You have provided Us all estimated charges coming due under this Agreement, and You agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Backcountryessentials, LLC, with respect to the same.

Warranty Waiver: The Equipment is provided “as-is” and “with all faults”. We make no warranty, express or implied (including without limitation, any and all warranties of suitability, merchantability and/or fitness for any particular purpose), nor do we make any warranty against interference, infringement, that the Equipment is fit for your intended use, application or environment, or that it is free from defects (latent or patent). No warranties shall be deemed to exist with respect to the equipment. Your sole remedy for any failure of or defect in or with respect to any of the Equipment is termination of the accrual of rental charges at the time of failure.

Assumption of Risk: You acknowledge that the possession, use, transportation and/or storage of the Equipment may give rise to the risk of personal injury and/or property damage. You voluntarily assume all such risk and release and discharge Backcountryessentials, LLC, and the Equipment from any and all liens, liabilities, and claims arising in connection with the same, including without limitation, any and all claims arising from or in connection with Our negligence (other than Our intentional misconduct).

Hold Harmless/Indemnity: You assume all risks associated with the possession, use, transportation and storage of the Equipment. Accordingly, You hereby waive any and all liens and claims arising from or associated with, and agree to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Backcountryessentials, LLC, from and against, any and all liabilities, claims, damages, losses, costs and expenses (including without limitation, attorney’s fees, claims for bodily injury(ies) (including deaths), property damage, loss of time/and or inconvenience) resulting from or arising in connection with such possession, use, transportation and/or storage, regardless of the cause and including any injuries and/or damages suffered by You, Your employees and/or any third party(ies), except to the extent directly resulting from Our intentional misconduct.

Receipt/Inspection of Equipment: You acknowledge that You, upon receipt of the Equipment, inspected, examined and accepted the Equipment, and that, as delivered to You, it is safe and in good operating condition and repair and otherwise in all ways acceptable to you.

Equipment Failure: In the event of the Equipment fails to start, breaks, malfunctions, becomes unsafe or is in need of maintenance or repair, You agree to immediately discontinue use, notify Us, and if directed to do so, return the Equipment to Us.

Use of Equipment: The equipment is authorized for use only by You and Your agents and employees (each of whom must be skilled, experienced, trained and authorized in its operations), at the location given as the ‘ship to’ site or ‘job address’. The Equipment is authorized for use only for its ordinary purpose.

Compliance with Laws: You agree to comply fully, at Your sole cost, with all laws and regulations applicable to the storage, use, and transportation of the Equipment.

Loss or Damage: You are the insurer of the Equipment during the Rental Term. You bear all risk of loss, theft, damage or destruction to the Equipment, regardless of cause (ordinary wear and tear expected). If the Equipment is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed during the Rental Term, whether or not the same is Your fault, You will notify Us immediately, and You will pay Backcountryessentials, LLC, the retail value of the parts and labor necessary to repair the Equipment if damaged, or its replacement cost, if lost, stolen, destroyed or damaged beyond Our reasonable ability to repair it; and in either case, all packing, shipping, handling, storage and other associated costs. Rent previously paid will not be applied to the above-referenced charges. (Rent will continue to accrue during all repair and replacement periods).

Care of Equipment: You must protect the Equipment against misuse, exposure to adverse conditions and any other abuse or neglect, ensure that it remains in good operating condition and it returned to Us at the end of the Term in the condition required.

Return of Equipment: You agree to ensure that, upon return to Us, the Equipment will be clean, free of all regulated or hazardous substances (including without limitations, substances identified as “hazardous materials” under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and/or any other federal, state or local laws, rules and/or regulations purporting to deal with toxic or hazardous substances), rental-ready, and otherwise is substantially the same order condition and repair as at the Time Out, “Ordinary Wear and Tear”. You agree to pay a reasonable charge for Equipment returned in any other condition. Any Equipment not returned within 3 days following Your rental dates duration will be deemed lost and in addition to Late Fees, You will be charged full Equipment replacement fees.

Ordinary Wear and Tear: “Ordinary Wear and Tear,” meaning normal deterioration resulting from the proper and intended use of the Equipment in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, will not be considered damage. Damage which is not “Ordinary Wear and Tear” (and for which You will be solely responsible) includes without limitation, theft, mysterious disappearance, damage due to overloading or exceeding rated capacities, non-standard use, operation without proper supports and/or safety equipment, improper use, misuse, abuse, neglect, accidents and intentional damage.

Integration: This Agreement represents the complete and final agreement between You and Us (Backcountry Essentials, LLC) and cannot be modified by oral agreement There are no oral or other representations, warranties or agreements not included in this Contract. You acknowledge that this Agreement may be amended only in a writing signed by both You and us.

Applicable Law/Venue: This Agreement and any disputes hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Washington, and any disputes hereto shall be adjudged in Whatcom County, Washington, where the State District Court shall have sole jurisdiction.

Waiver of Jury Trial: Each party waives its right to a jury trial of any claim or cause of action based on or arising out of this Agreement or the subject matter hereof. This waiver pertains to all disputes that may be related to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, contract, tort, breach of duty, and all other common law and statutory claims, and will not be subject to any exceptions. Each party (a) understands that this is a waiver of important legal rights and (b) acknowledges that he/she/it has had a reasonable opportunity to discuss this waiver and its effects with legal counsel. Accordingly, each party knowingly, voluntarily, irrevocably and unconditionally waives its jury trial rights.

Lien Grants: To the extent permitted under applicable law, in order to secure payment and performance of Your obligations arising under this Agreement, You hereby grant to Us (a) a continuing security interest in any and all personal property owned by You and located at the Site, and all personal property placed in any and all vehicle(s) and trailer(s) rented from Us (and this Agreement shall operate as a Security Agreement for such purposes, vesting in Us all rights available under the Uniform Commercial Code, as adopted in the state(s) in which Our business operations are conducted, and a mechanic’s lien on the site and all improvements constructed therein or thereon. You further authorize Us to file this Agreement of public record, as a Financing Statement (with respect to any and all goods that are or are to become fixtures) or otherwise, in Our sole discretion.

Warning regarding Criminal Conversion: The use of false or fictitious identification to obtain rental property, the failure to return rental property or the failure to pay for its use, is a crime and may result in criminal prosecution.

Enforcement: You agree to pay Us all attorneys’ fees and other costs Backcountryessentials, LLC, may incur in enforcing or exercising Our rights under this Agreement, whether or not a suit is filed.

Valid drivers license and credit card required at pick up for all rentals.

Guided Course Participants with our partners receive 15% off of their rental prices. Climbing club students on the approved list with proof of ID receive 10% off rental prices.

Try before you buy!

If you rent an item from our shop, and decide that you want to make a purchase of an equivalent item, we will credit a portion of your rental rate towards your purchase depending on the timeframe of your lease. Contact us for details, some exclusions do apply.

If you don’t see an item you are looking to rent please let us know and we can possible add into our rental inventory.