Women in the Wild

Women in the Wild

2023

Join us on the following dates:

August 23-24 or October 14-15

Are you ready to experience true freedom?

Practice being still and listening to your inner voice instead of listening to everyone around you

Discover deep feelings of joy as the natural beauty fills you with gratitude.

Find balance while gaining a sense of spirituality and connection.

Empower yourself with new confidence and valuable outdoor skills.

Be bold - Be courageous - Stretch yourself into a new dimension.

Focus on you. Maximize your time. Let us do all the planning and preparations.

Enjoy the perfect balance of camaraderie and meditative silence.

Gain a sense of security from keeping yourself safe and comfortable outdoors.

You'll do just enough physical effort to feel accomplished, but not enough to wear you out.

You're guaranteed endless photo opportunities of spectacular scenery!

Step away from your daily routine

and into your true self.

Join us, for what could be the best 30 hours of your summer!

Our Women in the Wild empowerment retreat is a small gathering of women willing to strap on a ultralight backpack to tap into themselves and the restorative qualities of the outdoors.

Mother Nature is the best spa for bringing out your natural self so you can shine!

Gone are the demands on your time, your image, yourself. For two amazing days you’ll be wild and free just to be you! Refill and recharge, allow the natural world to fill your spirit and be the backdrop for discovering your new sense of self.

There’s nothing more powerful than a circle of women surrounded by natural beauty, lifting each other up and sharing gratitude, bringing joy to themselves and each other. Grab your mom, your sister, your girlfriends - or make new ones.

The friendships that develop, or deepen, may be the best part!

This Mini Retreat is ideal for women of all ages and most fitness levels. Our shortest backpacking trip is under one mile over gentle terrain. For a bit more of a challenge, we offer a 3 mile trip with a modest elevation gain.

If you would like to join us, but can't carry a backpack, a porter service can be provided for a reasonable cost.

Come join us, and see how empowering it is to be a

Woman in the Wild!

The Menu

We're shooting for the perfect blend of delicious simplicity for dinner: stuffed baked russet potatoes baked to fluffy goodness over the coals of a campfire. Then filled with savory spiral ham and topped with a freshly steamed veggie blend topped generously with melted cheese and bacon or protein crumbles. We offer a keto-friendly tortilla option as well.

On longer trips and those with a fire restriction, we'll serve premium pre-packaged meals with a touch of homemade goodness.

Our day will begin with a delicious Breakfast including fresh fruit and your choice of oatmeal or a breakfast skillet with eggs, sausage, potatoes and peppers wrapped in a delicious keto friendly mini tortilla. Whole-grain mini muffins are also available.

In addition to water, a variety of drink mixes will be offered throughout the retreat. Coffee or tea are also available.

Snacks could include fruit (dried or fresh), protein bars, granola bars, nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, beef jerkey, cheese crisps, crackers, and a couple of yummy surprises!

Tentative Itinerary:

Day 1

8:00 Meet in Nutrioso for orientation and pack gear
9:30 Depart for destination (carpool option)
11:00 Arrive at trailhead, eat lunch
11:30 Head out on the trail
12:30 Arrive and set up camp
1:30 Relax, mingle, settle in, get to know each other and your gratitude journal
2:30 We explore our beautiful surroundings
3:30 We do yoga, read, write, relax, or just be you!
4:00 Craft with items from nature our own versions of a 'prayer stick' to take home
6:00 Dinner
7:00 Campfire stories, S'mores and starry skies

Day 2

Early risers enjoy a wildlife viewing stroll
7:00 Breakfast
8:00 Take down camp and pack up
9:30 Relax, write in each others gratitude journal
10:30 Head back to the trailhead
1:00 Arrive in Nutrioso

2 Days / 1 Night

Includes Meals, Snacks, Equipment and Gratitude Journal

GRAND OPENING SPECIAL

~~$475~~ now only $125

For a limited time only!

Here's how it works:

Step 1: Please fill out the enrollment form below so we can get to know you a little better. One form for each group member, please. No payment is necessary at this time.

Step 2: We will check availability and send you a confirmation email with a link where you can make a payment.

Step 3: Once we receive payment, we will send a confirmation email with date-specific instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most women who are physically active can comfortably participate at the easy level. Anyone who walks or exercises regularly should be able to join us. The weight of a backpack loaded with the sleeping bag and pad is approximately 12 pounds. If you pack only the bare necessities, your total weight should be 20 pounds or less. Group items such as water filter, cooking equipment, etc., will be dispersed to share the weight.

Our packs are new and high quality, adjustable, lightweight and handle the weight comfortably. If you would like to participate but are unable to carry a backpack, we offer a porter service for an additional fee to transport your gear for you. A daypack with your water and personal items is all you will have to carry.

In camp we will be sleeping in tents so physically, it will be necessary to get in and out of a tent on ground level.

We recommend doing some pre-trip conditioning to make your experience more enjoyable. Please do not hesitate to consult your physician if you have any concerns.

Please let us know if you don't have any of the items below, chances are we have loaners available.

Water
Sack lunch for the first day
Light snacks for hiking
Hat - preferably with a wide brim
Bandana/Buff/Scarf or similar
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Prescription glasses
Lip Balm
Rain gear* (Frogg Toggs are inexpensive and lightweight)
Medications
Camera - be sure to charge that cell phone!
Headlamp
Toiletries* condense whatever possible into overnight portions, less is more!
Pillow* your extra clothing can be easily be substituted for a pillow to save weight, we have a couple lightweight loaners available as well.

Other items to consider:

Warm beanie-type hat
Lightweight sun gloves
Insect repellent
Umbrella
Pocket knife
Sit pad

Clothing: Pants, lightweight shorts, base layer shirt, top long-sleeve shirt, warm jacket (down has best weight to warmth ratio), leggings or sleep pants are an option but keep it lightweight, sleep socks (can also serve as backup socks).

Footwear: Appropriate for walking on uneven terrain with obstacles like rocks, sticks and downed trees. Hiking shoes with a decent tread and ankle support are ideal. Adventures with river crossings will require you bring an additional pair of water shoes (and socks) like Crocs, a small towel or washcloth is nice for drying feet.

Water: The lightest option is a Platypus container, but a 700 or 1000 ml. plastic water bottle is a great lightweight option and can be reused multiple times. Nalgene and stainless bottles are another good option. Water will be close at all times so bringing one water bottle, or approximately one liter, should be fine. A second bottle is sometimes nice to keep separate for drink mixes.

The Black River is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in the White Mountains. With Mount Baldy for its' headwater, this 114-miles of flowing tranquility provides a defining feature for the area and the perfect backdrop for a group of independent Women in the Wild.

All Black River locations are rated easy and the weather will help us determine the exact site we choose for each retreat. Distances will range from location to location, from just under 1 mile to 1.5 miles over easy terrain.

Mount Baldy Wilderness is another great choice a for Women in the Wild and is another defining feature towering above all else around it at 11,409 feet. This spectacular peak is home to one of the oldest stands of mixed conifer, pine and fir trees in Arizona. It is truly delightful gazing up at the mountain, across flowing green meadows lined by an army of fragrant trees. Truly a feast for all the senses.

The Baldy retreat is for those who are in good enough shape to hike with a moderate elevation gain of 550 feet over 3 miles. Total hiking distance out and back will be 6 miles.

To reserve you spot, a minimum deposit of 50% is required when you receive email confirmation of your booking. Payment link will be included in the email. The balance is due upon departure.

For a full refund of your deposit, the backpacking trip must be canceled NO LESS THAN 7 days before your scheduled departure time.

Backpacking trips canceled less than 7 days prior to departure time will be credited the full deposit amount for a future date.

Weather related cancelations will be fully refunded or rescheduled for a future date at a 10% discount price.

Join us on the following dates:

Step away from your daily routine

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