About this Event
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 intermediate backpacking write & hike weekend, we will be hiking 5 miles on the intermediate-grade rocky trail to Pot Hole Lakes, then a day hike on the steeper grade to High Divide and Seven Lakes Basin. There will be writing and group facilitation throughout the hiking experience.
HIKING DISTANCE & TERRAIN:
Friday, September 20th: starting at Sol Duc Falls Trail, we’ll hike to Pothole Lakes, stopping at Deer Lake to take in her healing beauty, do some groups writing and snack on some wild blueberries. (5 miles)
Saturday, September 21st: day hiking up to the High Divide and Lunch Lake. There will be beautiful scenery and writing prompts to inspire and deepen your experience along the way. (5+ miles, depending on group preference)
Sunday, September 22nd: Easy morning of breakfast and writing, packing up and out with a stop at Deer Lake for lunch on the way back (5 miles downhill).
For those without gear, rentals are available for reasonable rates. This trip is intermediate level with a decent, rocky slope for 5 miles to the campsite, then another 5+ miles (depending on group preference) of up/down with some steep descent / ascent for the following day’s hike. If you’re in good physical shape (regularly walk or hike 3-5 miles of varied terrain) but haven’t backpacked before, you’ll be fine on this trail.
Included:
- All meals, snacks
- Camping stove and fuel
- Water filtration system
- Coffee and tea (morning and evening)
- Bear canisters
- Camping permits
- Entrance into Olympic National Park
- Guidance with backpacking preparation
- On-trail support
- Writing exercises and group activities
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).
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Storm King Ranger Station, Storm King Ranger Station, Port Angeles, United States
