NRG AAC Reservation Cancellation Leniancy due to weather?

Hey everyone,

So I've been planning my first trip to the New for next weekend (Memorial Day).  When I booked a site, the weather looked great, but it has since taken a turn for the worse and is predicting T-storms both days.  Being that I'm coming from Chicago, that would really suck if we make the drive and don't end up climbing, so I'm considering other options, but the AAC campground has a rather stringent cancellation policy:

"Cancellation Policy
No cancellation charge and 100% of deposit refunded if notice is received more than 30 days in advance of arrival date. 50% of deposit refunded if cancellation notice is received between 7 and 30 days of arrival date. No deposit refunded if cancellation notice is received within 7 days of arrival date. Becoming a member after making your reservation will not result in refunds for the member vs non-member rates for nights already booked."

So according to that, I shouldn't be able to get a refund, which is rather shitty, considering how common it is for weather to take a turn like this.  Has anyone tried cancelling due to weather?  Any luck?

Weather at the new is very hard to predict in advance. Don't plan or cancel based on a forecast unless you are looking at a major storm with 100% chances of hitting the area.

We've been miserably rained out during sunny forecasts and had amazing rain free days with terrible forecasts. A 60% chance of rain means that it's going to rain at some point - but it could be just an evening sprinkle that never interferes with climbing.

Don't cancel yet - if you can climb 5.11 or higher, there are a few very nice areas that stay dry in case of heavy rains. 

Northeast weather is the reason for the policy - they would get stuck with empty campsites every rainy weekend.

I simply no longer make plans more than a few days out.  The northeast weather sucks sometimes.  Plan accordingly, and don't bet your deposit on it.

Fair enough.  The chance is 30%, so I think we're going to risk it...fingers crossed!

Awesome!  Thanks for the recommendations.

Ted Pinson wrote:

Hey everyone,

So I've been planning my first trip to the New for next weekend (Memorial Day).  When I booked a site, the weather looked great, but it has since taken a turn for the worse and is predicting T-storms both days.  Being that I'm coming from Chicago, that would really suck if we make the drive and don't end up climbing, so I'm considering other options, but the AAC campground has a rather stringent cancellation policy:

"Cancellation Policy
No cancellation charge and 100% of deposit refunded if notice is received more than 30 days in advance of arrival date. 50% of deposit refunded if cancellation notice is received between 7 and 30 days of arrival date. No deposit refunded if cancellation notice is received within 7 days of arrival date. Becoming a member after making your reservation will not result in refunds for the member vs non-member rates for nights already booked."

So according to that, I shouldn't be able to get a refund, which is rather shitty, considering how common it is for weather to take a turn like this.  Has anyone tried cancelling due to weather?  Any luck?

I don't quite understand the mindset to be upset with their cancellation policy. You reserved a spot that they held for you instead of allowing someone else to book. You want to cancel your reservation less than a week out and they should just eat the cost? They're running a business and in my opinion their policy seems more than fair.

I'm on the same page as the others in this thread, you should still go. Weather at the NRG is all over the place and you may miss out on rain or worst case scenario go to a sheltered crag and still get some good climbing in. Have fun!

Ted Pinson wrote:

Fair enough.  The chance is 30%, so I think we're going to risk it...fingers crossed!

Agree with above, 30% is nothing to be concerned about.  That can mean zero rain or a washout (I've seen both equally in 30% situations).  In the summer, when we have afternoon storms, they usually paint the weather map with 30% (isolated) chances.

Climb at Kaymoor, White Wall, parts of Summersville Lake -  NRG pretty much always requires a backup weather option and these crags are pretty well covered from rain. Biggest annoyance is having to hang out in drizzly SE spring days - not ideal

Gonna echo the posts that are telling you to JUST GO!  Very worst-case scenario, you'll STILL be out of Chicago and in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the East.  You can also mountain bike and raft in the rain.