She Climbs Mountains is thrilled to partner with Breakwater Expeditions for an incredible retreat in the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park. Through the peaks, valleys, and geo-thermals, we will backpack off the beaten path and explore where few people venture while connecting with ourselves and each other as we navigate life as motherless daughters.
We will embark on a journey that will provide an opportunity to stretch ourselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We will enjoy the benefits of an experience that will include daily hikes, meditation, story-sharing, movement, daily writing prompts, and nature connection with the goal of exploring grief, loss, and healing in a beautiful setting with the support of a safe community.
Daily hikes will range from 3-6 miles. No previous backpacking experience is required. The retreat is open to women ages 21+ who have experienced mother loss 2 or more years ago.
"It is not a matter of waiting for the pain of grief to wane. It is allowing for the possibility that JOY and SORROW can and do coexist." - Unknown
Trip Details
Dates: August 8 - 14, 2024 (7 Days, 6 Nights)
Trip Cost Per Person: $1600 (shared occupancy); $1700 (single occupancy)
Lodging Includes:
1 night of group camping at Pine Creek Campground (30 mins from the park entrance)
4 nights of backcountry camping
1 night of hotel stay at the Chico Hot Springs Resort
Guides: 1 Breakwater Expeditions qualified guide will provide a safe, fun, and meaningful adventure.
Transportation Includes:
Pick up and drop off at the Bozeman Airport at pre-determined meeting place and time frame.
Group Size: 9 participants plus 1 guide and 2 facilitators.
Climate: The temperatures in Yellowstone range from 40’s to 80’s depending on the area of the park.
Clothing: You will receive a packing list for personal items needed.
Gear: Breakwater provides each participant with backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, tent (shared), storage sacks for organization, cup, bowl, spoon/utensils for eating, and all group gear for the comfortable and safe backcountry living as required by our trip itinerary.
Food: Meals and snacks will be provided for participants during the backcountry sections of the trip. Specifically, dinner day 1 through lunch day 6 will be included.
Each participant is responsible for purchase of airfare and coordination of flights that will work with the outlined itinerary. Participants will be responsible for their own meals prior to dinner on day 1 and after lunch on day 6.
Register for the She Climbs Mountains Yellowstone Retreat!
Payment Options: Pay in full at registration OR pay the non-refundable deposit at registration with 3 additional payments of $467.00 (shared occupancy) or $500 (single occupancy). Registrants will be sent payment reminders based on registration date. Final payment is due 30 days prior to the retreat start date.
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CANCELLATION POLICY:
Up to 60 days prior to the start date: 100% refundable minus the $200 non-refundable deposit.
Up to 30 days prior to the start date: 50% refundable minus the $200 non-refundable deposit.
From 30 days to the start date: non-refundable.
She Climbs Mountains reserves the right to cancel the retreat up to 15 days prior to the start date. If cancellation occurs by the organization, registrants will receive a 100% refund.
Please note that we are unable to issue refunds due to illness, including COVID-19.
Questions? Please contact Christine Meyer at christine@sheclimbsmountains.org.
Itinerary
August 8: Bozeman Airport to Pine Creek Campground
At 3pm MST we will meet at Baggage Claim in the Bozeman Airport. After gathering the group, we will shuttle to our first camp. Pine Creek Campground is about 30 minutes outside the North Entrance of Yellowstone. Upon arriving to our camp, we will have a packing shakedown with personal and group gear. Your guide will check to make sure all of your items are what you need for your hiking trip. During this time we will answer questions and concerns about the upcoming events, as well as start to settle in to our new environment and new friends. Lodging: Tents; Meals: Dinner
August 9: Into the Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy a hardy breakfast at camp and then pack up our belongings. Today we head into Yellowstone. We will be ready for the trail upon departure of Pine Creek Campground. Our drive will be a couple hours. Upon arrival the group will gather at the trailhead to each lunch, while guides set up a shuttle. After lunch and any last minute pack adjustments, we will set out onto our trail. Lodging: Tents; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner + Snacks
August 10, 11, 12: Move along the trail and connect with Nature!
Each day we will move along the trail and explore all of its natural beauty. We will make time to connect as individuals and as a group while on trail and in camp. Depending upon our route we have shorter and longer days on the trail. With the possibility of summit day or layover. Lodging: Tents; Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner each day + Snacks
August 13: Closure to our hiking and a return to Chico Hot Springs
As we enjoy our last backcountry breakfast together, we will close this portion of our experience as we walk out to our vehicles. With a stop at Mammoth Hot Springs or the gift shop, we will say goodbye to this beautiful National Park. Upon arriving at Chico Hot Springs Resort late afternoon, we will settle in, shower, indulge in soaking in the springs, and prepare for dinner. Lodging: Hotel room (separate beds for shared occupancy); Meals: Breakfast, Lunch* + Snacks *participants may choose to purchase lunch at the National Park instead of eating the lunch provided; Dinner on your own at Chico Hot Springs Resort.
Day 7: Bozeman, Airport drop off
With a leisurely morning, we will depart Chico Hot springs by 10am MST to arrive for drop offs at the Bozeman Airport. Should any participants need a drop off at a hotel in Bozeman, we will accommodate this request as well. Meals: Breakfast on your own at Chico Hot Springs Resort.
Guide:
Angie Roberts is a co-owner with Breakwater Expeditions and facilitates retreats, expeditions, and adventure travel year round. She is especially excited to work with the women of She Climbs Mountains as she is also a woman who lost her mother too early in life. She cherishes the opportunities to connect with other people’s journeys as she continues to heal within her own.
With over 20 years of experience working with people in outdoor settings, Angie believes that nature and adventure can foster healthier individuals who will, in turn, build stronger communities. An avid outdoor enthusiast from early childhood, she grew up camping, fishing, and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
When she is not working, Angie enjoys skiing, hiking, mountain biking, and spending time with her husband, friends, and family in Sandpoint, Idaho.
Facilitators:
Sarah Conover holds a BA in comparative religions from the University of Colorado, and an MFA in creativewriting from Eastern Washington University. She has worked as a television producer for PBS, a social worker for Catholic Charities, a public-school teacher, and taught creative writing through many venues. She is the author of six books on world wisdom traditions and spirituality. Her most recent book, Set Adrift: My Family’s Disappearance in the Bermuda Triangle, a Mystery and a Memoir, is in large part about mother loss. She taught meditation for many years at Airway Heights Corrections Center and within the Spokane community. She lives in a condo in Spokane, Washington and in her beloved yurtiverse at the base of the North Cascades in Winthrop, Washington, where she and her husband are building a small hermitage.
Christine Meyer is the Founder of She Climbs Mountains. Christine earned her B.A. in Sociology from St. Olaf College in 1997 and over the next decade worked in Email Marketing Sales. After leaving her career when her second daughter was 6 months old, Christine became an at-home mom and also joined her then-husband’s home renovation business, managing the books. Christine previously served on the Board of Minnesota Families for Midwifery for over 5 years, last holding the position of President. In January 2014, after a series of meaningful events, Christine created and began facilitating Motherless Mothers Workshops and hosting monthly gatherings for motherless mothers through a local yoga studio. In March of 2017, after another series of meaningful events, she was moved to launch She Climbs Mountains. Most recently, Christine is proud to announce programming for girls ages 8-18, Girls Rise Up.
Christine co-facilitates weekly calls and has completed training with Author Hope Edelman, Founder and CEO of Motherless Daughters. Please note that the She Climbs Mountains Retreat is not associated with Hope Edelman’s Motherless Daughters Community or Motherless Daughters Retreats.