Beginner’s Backpacking Write & Hike: Dosewallips River

Writing in Nature, Deepening in Self is a retreat series designed to deepen your connection to your creative Self with writing exercises in -- and communion with -- the natural world. On this beginner backpacking weekend, we will be hiking 6 miles on the mellow-grade old Dosewallips River Road to Dosewallips Campground.

HIKING DISTANCE & TERRAIN:

• Day 1: 6.2 miles on a very mellow, mostly wide road (with two short wash-out crossings that have uneven footing), carrying overnight backpacks
• Day 2: Optional exploration of the Main Fork trail system in the morning, then 6.2 miles of mellow downhill on the Dosewallops River Road to return to the trailhead
• All are encouraged to go at their own pace and we will meet at intervals along the trail.

Included:

• All meals, light snacks
• Camping stove and fuel
• Water filtration system
• Coffee and tea (morning and evening)
• Bear canisters
• Camping permits
• Writing exercises and group activities
• Guidance with backpacking preparation
• On-trail support

Add-Ons:

Backpacking gear (packs, tents, sleeping bags and sleeping mats) is available for rent (see add-ons section when ordering)

While every retreat is different, Write & Hike Retreats usually consist of the following:

• A day or so before the retreat, I send out a pre-retreat writing prompt
• The day of the retreat, we meet either to carpool or at the trailhead
• We do some nature-communing exercises and sensory check-ins
• We give the group writing prompts for the trail
• We hike (or walk), sometimes as a group, sometimes individually (depending on individual preferences)
• We share our writings and experiences in circle
• I lead the group in some breathwork (as a means of connecting with Self and nature)
• We have a little closing circle.

As I am a soul and nature communicator, I tend to get messages about what's needed at each retreat, so I try to tailor according to the needs of the group (at both a conscious and soul level) as well as the places in nature we are visiting (they usually have messages to share with the group).