Nantahala Gorge Excursion
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the Great Smoky Mountains alongside the beautiful Nantahala River and Fontana Lake on our Nantahala Gorge excursion! Departing from Bryson City, this four-and-a-half-hour roundtrip excursion carries you 44 miles to the stunning Nantahala Gorge and back to our Bryson City depot. Depending on the date and season, ride this excursion via steam or diesel locomotive power.
About This Trip
Nantahala (nan-tuh-HAY-luh) Gorge Excursions depart west from Bryson City, first following Alarka Creek and Fontana Lake. The Fontana Trestle then takes you across the serene reservoir and into the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Onboard dining is available in First Class by selecting from our First Class Menu and Crown, Coach, and Gondola guests can pre-purchase a lunch option from our Box Lunch Menu to make this a unique dining experience. Arrive at our destination at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in the heart of the gorge for a one-hour layover where you can relax by the river, grab a beer or snack, and enjoy sightseeing!
Itinerary
Below is an outline of this train’s excursion. Please refer to this train’s schedule for exact departure times. Given the nature of railroading, durations are approximate and subject to change without notice.
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Time from Departure
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Activity
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60m before departure
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Please arrive and park at at 45 Mitchell St.
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30m before departure
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Boarding begins at Bryson City Depot
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See schedule for departure time
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Depart Bryson City, NC
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1h 45m
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Reach top of the line
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2h 00m
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Begin return
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2h 30m—3h 30m
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Layover
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3h 30m
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Depart Layover
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4h 30m
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Arrive at Bryson City Depot
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Steam or Diesel
Steam Powered
Steam is alive and well in the Great Smoky Mountains, offering year-round passenger excursions with the thrill of rolling through Western North Carolina’s hills and valleys behind a piece of history. Locomotive 1702 dates back to 1942, when the engine was constructed for use by the U.S. Army Transportation Corps during Word War II. Before departure, 1702 will be available for photo opportunities! Take this time to enjoy an up close and personal view of the fully restored engine. On select days, stick around for a live turntable demonstration, where volunteers will be called upon to assist our crew in turning the 353,540-pound engine and tender.
Diesel Powered
True locomotive power is on display with our diesel workhorse engines! Our fleet of GP9, GP7, GP30, and GP38-3 locomotives are the backbone of our railroad. Each engine has the power to pull our full passenger trains through these beautiful mountains, arriving right on time! Enjoy one of our scenic excursions with one of these bad boys leading the way!
Classes of Service
ADULT First Class
First Class with dining features assigned seating at a dining table in a climate controlled car with large picture windows, and are served a meal by the car’s attendant. Everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day. Limited bar service available.
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First Class Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (21+ Only)
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$114
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$121
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$124
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$131
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$135
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Under 21
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Not Permitted
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Premium Open Air Gondola
Premium Open Air Gondola with dining features assigned seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect passengers from the elements. Adults (21+) are served a meal by the car’s attendant. Everyone receives a souvenir travel mug with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day.
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Premium Gon Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (21+ Only)
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$99
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$106
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$109
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$116
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$120
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Under 21
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Not Permitted
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Crown class
Crown Class features assigned seating in a climate controlled car with large picture windows. Everyone over the age of 2 years old receives a souvenir tumbler with free refills of soda, coffee, and iced tea all day! Beer and wine available.
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Coach Class Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$87
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$94
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$97
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$104
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$108
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Child (2-12 years)
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$61
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$66
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$71
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$76
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$81
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$19
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$19
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$19
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$19
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$19
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Coach Plus
Coach Plus features a classic train décor with natural wood and sliding windows at every seat. Every section has table and booth style seating allowing four people at a table. This is perfect for families or groups traveling together!
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Coach Plus Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$69
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$76
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$79
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$86
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$90
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Child (2-12 years)
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$45
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$50
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$55
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$60
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$65
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Coach Class
Coach Class features open seating in a historic enclosed car, windows that can be opened for fresh air and photos, and heating or ceiling fans as needed. Don’t forget to preorder your boxed lunch during booking!
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Coach Class Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$59
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$66
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$69
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$76
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$80
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Child (2-12 years)
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$35
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$40
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$45
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$50
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$55
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Open Air Gondola
Open Air Gondolas feature open seating in a car with unobstructed views, half-height walls, and a roof above to protect from the elements. Don’t forget to preorder a GSMR fleece blanket for cool mornings and your boxed lunch during booking!
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Open Air Gon Fares
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Diesel
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Steam
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Reg
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Oct
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Reg
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Oct
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Peak
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Adult (13 + yrs)
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$64
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$71
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$74
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$81
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$85
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Child (2-12 years)
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$40
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$45
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$50
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$55
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$60
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Infant (0-23 mos)
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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$0
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Class Comparison
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Amenities
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First Class
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Premium Open Air Gondola
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Crown Class
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Coach Plus
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Coach Class
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Open Air Gondola
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Meal Included
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Lunch Available
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Restrooms Available
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Heat
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Air Conditioning
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Assigned Seating
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Souvenir Travel Mug
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Large Picture Windows
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Windows Open/Close
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Ceiling Fans
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Ideal for Photography
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Outward Facing Seats
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Padded Seats
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Nantahala Schedule
Booking Policies
Ticket fares subject to 7% Historic Preservation Fee. Schedules, fares, motive power, equipment, seat selection, and meals are subject to change without notice. We guarantee the class of service you select. You will be notified if a change in schedule or motive power affects your reservation. Payment in full at booking by major credit card is required to finalize a reservation. You may cancel your reservation in full or in part and receive a refund less a $14.00 fee per adult ticket and $7.00 fee per child ticket as late as 5 days before departure, except for The Polar Express Train Ride; The Polar Express Train Ride is as late as 60 days before departure. Within 5 days of the departure, or 60 days in the case of the Polar Express Train Ride, the reservation becomes nonrefundable. You may reschedule any time prior to your originally scheduled departure with a $7.00 fee per ticket for another date within the same calendar year. You may not reschedule a reservation after the scheduled departure.
You agree that GSMR General Excursions and Events for which you purchased tickets and/or attended is a public event, that your appearance and actions inside and outside the venue where the Excursion/Event occurs are public in nature, and that you have no expectation of privacy with regard to your actions or conduct at the Event. You hereby irrevocably grant permission to the host railroad, licensor, sponsor(s) and/or their assigns to use, copy, display, distribute, exhibit and utilize your name, image, digital image, likeness, acts, poses, voice, appearance, movements and statements in any live or recorded audio, video or photographic display or other transmission, exhibition, publication or reproduction of same, including at the Excursion/ Event (regardless of whether before, during or after the Excursion/ Event) for any purpose, in any manner, in any medium or context now known or hereafter developed without further authorization from or any compensation to you or anyone acting or entitled to act on your behalf.
