Nurtured by Nature:
Backcountry Edition
June 27-30, 2024
Bitterroot National Forest, Montana
YOUR RETREAT INCLUDES:
- Fully guided 4-day/3-night backpacking trip with two seasoned leaders
- Nourishing yoga, breathwork, & meditation
- Flora, fauna, & landscape exploration with an expert naturalist
- All backcountry meals provided
- Reflective art & nature journaling, drawing and writing materials will be provided
- Education around Leave No Trace backcountry etiquette
- Essential backcountry skills lessons
- Free time to explore, fireside chats and relaxation under the big sky
- Destress, unwind, connect with nature and make new friends!
YOUR RETREAT GUIDES
Val Aerni & Drew Lefebvre
Val is a E-RYT 200 through Yoga Alliance with additional training in yin yoga, prenatal yoga, Yoga Mindset Coaching, yoga nidra, trauma-informed yoga, and health coaching. Val also holds a M.Ed. in Curriculum in Instruction with an emphasis on Environmental Education from the University of Montana. Val started backpacking in 2006 as a student at the University of Vermont and went on to become a leader for their Outing Club. In 2010 Val became a Youth Crew Leader for the Montana Conservation Corps where she spent weeks at a time living and working in the backcountry of Montana.
Drew is the owner of Turnstone Nature Education, providing creative and accessible natural history programming. She moved to Montana in 2009 for a season of wilderness trail work and has been here ever since, discovering and honing a passion for natural history education and for the ecology of Montana in particular. She has led a variety of programs for adults and children, including citizen science, trail work, backcountry education, and natural history courses. Drew holds an M.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Montana and is a certified Montana Master Naturalist.
Val and Drew met through their work with the Montana Conservation Corps. They became close friends and, beginning in 2011, spent several seasons coordinating and co-leading backcountry service trips for the Great Burn Conservation Alliance, a local non-profit. Over many fireside chats Val and Drew talked about hosting backcountry retreats together, and now they are making it happen!
Drew is the owner of Turnstone Nature Education, providing creative and accessible natural history programming. She moved to Montana in 2009 for a season of wilderness trail work and has been here ever since, discovering and honing a passion for natural history education and for the ecology of Montana in particular. She has led a variety of programs for adults and children, including citizen science, trail work, backcountry education, and natural history courses. Drew holds an M.S. in Environmental Education from the University of Montana and is a certified Montana Master Naturalist.
Val and Drew met through their work with the Montana Conservation Corps. They became close friends and, beginning in 2011, spent several seasons coordinating and co-leading backcountry service trips for the Great Burn Conservation Alliance, a local non-profit. Over many fireside chats Val and Drew talked about hosting backcountry retreats together, and now they are making it happen!
Q & A
Q: Where will we be hiking?
A: We will be hiking the Sheafman Creek Trail #82 in the Bitterroot National Forest. With a distance of about 6.3 miles each way and an elevation gain of 2,400 feet, this is considered a moderate to difficult trail. Please note that the location may change due to trail and/or weather conditions..
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: We will provide you with a packing list well in advance of the trip so that you can gather all necessary items to be comfortable in the backcountry. Should you need to borrow a tent, sleeping bag, and/or sleeping pad, we can help you arrange for local rentals free of charge. We will also hold a pre-trip meeting with all participants to ensure that everyone has everything they need.
Q: Do I need backpacking experience?
A: Nope! This trip is designed to accommodate people who are new to backpacking as well as seasoned backpackers. From the moment you sign up for the trip until the moment we return to the trailhead, we’ll make sure that you feel prepared and supported as we venture into the backcountry together. That said, you should be physically able to spend several hours on your feet and to walk 6.5 miles in one day. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Q: How do I prepare physically for the trip?
A: Walking and/or hiking is the best way to prepare yourself. Make sure to include hills or uneven terrain so you get used to climbing uphill! We also recommend practicing with a backpack on. For reference, a hiking backpack should generally weigh no more than 20% of your body weight.
Q: Is transportation provided to the trailhead?
A: Guests will be asked to meet in Hamilton, MT and carpool from there in order to minimize the number of cars at the trailhead. The road to the trailhead is long and bumpy, so we’ll take it slow!
Q: What meals will be provided?
A: All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided with your registration. You can expect vegetarian-friendly, backcountry-inspired meals that focus on high energy and nutrition and are low in carrying weight. Expect to pack your own snacks to supplement provided meals-- you’re welcome to bring shelf-stable meat (jerky, summer sausage, etc.) if you so choose. We will also do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Please note that although we will provide all meals, we will distribute shared food at the trailhead and ask for your assistance carrying some of it to our destination!
Q: How will we stay safe out there?
A: The safety of everyone in our group is our number one priority! Together, we have many years of experience leading hiking trips deep into Montana’s backcountry. We are both trained in wilderness first aid and Leave No Trace principles, and will follow industry standard best practices for backcountry safety. For added peace of mind, we will carry a well-stocked first aid kit, bear spray, and an emergency satellite communication device. For additional questions about your safety, don’t hesitate to ask!
Q: Can I bring ______?
A: Once you have gathered everything on the packing list, make sure to leave a little bit of extra room in your backpack for group gear (such as food, water filter, rope, etc.) that we’ll ask everyone to pitch in to help carry to our campsite. Once that has been accounted for, you are welcome to bring whatever you need to be safe and comfortable. However, keep in mind that everything in your pack is your responsibility to carry, and nothing weighs nothing! In general, it is wise to bring items in the smallest possible containers, and to stay away from scented products (lotions, soaps, etc.). We recommend bringing the bare minimum-- your back will thank you, and we hope you’ll enjoy the feeling of disconnecting from everyday life.
A: We will be hiking the Sheafman Creek Trail #82 in the Bitterroot National Forest. With a distance of about 6.3 miles each way and an elevation gain of 2,400 feet, this is considered a moderate to difficult trail. Please note that the location may change due to trail and/or weather conditions..
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: We will provide you with a packing list well in advance of the trip so that you can gather all necessary items to be comfortable in the backcountry. Should you need to borrow a tent, sleeping bag, and/or sleeping pad, we can help you arrange for local rentals free of charge. We will also hold a pre-trip meeting with all participants to ensure that everyone has everything they need.
Q: Do I need backpacking experience?
A: Nope! This trip is designed to accommodate people who are new to backpacking as well as seasoned backpackers. From the moment you sign up for the trip until the moment we return to the trailhead, we’ll make sure that you feel prepared and supported as we venture into the backcountry together. That said, you should be physically able to spend several hours on your feet and to walk 6.5 miles in one day. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor if you have any concerns.
Q: How do I prepare physically for the trip?
A: Walking and/or hiking is the best way to prepare yourself. Make sure to include hills or uneven terrain so you get used to climbing uphill! We also recommend practicing with a backpack on. For reference, a hiking backpack should generally weigh no more than 20% of your body weight.
Q: Is transportation provided to the trailhead?
A: Guests will be asked to meet in Hamilton, MT and carpool from there in order to minimize the number of cars at the trailhead. The road to the trailhead is long and bumpy, so we’ll take it slow!
Q: What meals will be provided?
A: All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided with your registration. You can expect vegetarian-friendly, backcountry-inspired meals that focus on high energy and nutrition and are low in carrying weight. Expect to pack your own snacks to supplement provided meals-- you’re welcome to bring shelf-stable meat (jerky, summer sausage, etc.) if you so choose. We will also do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Please note that although we will provide all meals, we will distribute shared food at the trailhead and ask for your assistance carrying some of it to our destination!
Q: How will we stay safe out there?
A: The safety of everyone in our group is our number one priority! Together, we have many years of experience leading hiking trips deep into Montana’s backcountry. We are both trained in wilderness first aid and Leave No Trace principles, and will follow industry standard best practices for backcountry safety. For added peace of mind, we will carry a well-stocked first aid kit, bear spray, and an emergency satellite communication device. For additional questions about your safety, don’t hesitate to ask!
Q: Can I bring ______?
A: Once you have gathered everything on the packing list, make sure to leave a little bit of extra room in your backpack for group gear (such as food, water filter, rope, etc.) that we’ll ask everyone to pitch in to help carry to our campsite. Once that has been accounted for, you are welcome to bring whatever you need to be safe and comfortable. However, keep in mind that everything in your pack is your responsibility to carry, and nothing weighs nothing! In general, it is wise to bring items in the smallest possible containers, and to stay away from scented products (lotions, soaps, etc.). We recommend bringing the bare minimum-- your back will thank you, and we hope you’ll enjoy the feeling of disconnecting from everyday life.
YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS
Spend 3 nights sleeping under the big Montana sky. Need to rent a sleeping bag, tent, and sleeping pad? Let us know.
Investment
$1,377
$500 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your spot. Remaining balance is due by May 1st.
Payment plans available.
$500 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your spot. Remaining balance is due by May 1st.
Payment plans available.
To reserve your spot, send me an email using the link below.
Cancellations 30 days prior to the retreat receive a full refund minus the $500.
No cancellations beyond the 30 day window. If you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, you may send someone in your place.
Please note that the following are NOT included in the retreat price:
Flight and transportation to MT
Lodging before arrival to the retreat or after
Alcohol is not included in the retreat price, but you are welcome to bring your own beverages
Travel insurance
No cancellations beyond the 30 day window. If you are unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances, you may send someone in your place.
Please note that the following are NOT included in the retreat price:
Flight and transportation to MT
Lodging before arrival to the retreat or after
Alcohol is not included in the retreat price, but you are welcome to bring your own beverages
Travel insurance
Photo Credit: colleengoldhorn.com