Flock of Beasts Adventures
A Taste of the living wild
A taste of the living wild
A TEENY PACK TRIP TO STEAL A BIT OF TIME IN NATURE
DAY ONE: Meet at the Ice Age Trailhead on Cushing Park Road in Delafield, WI. Backpack four miles through a rolling oak savannah that my family and I call “the Magnificent Meadow”.
We will drop our gear and set up our tents at the backcountry site at Lapham Peak State Park, and then hike to the tower and behold Wisconsin’s humble grandeur at sunset.
NIGHT ONE: Camp at the backcountry site.
DAY TWO: Backpack the four miles to the car. We will celebrate this bit of time stolen, and your burgeoning bravery, with a simple hot breakfast, coffee, and mimosa.
Total Miles Hiked: 9 (nine)
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $127.00 Included in this price is campsite reservations, gas, taxes/fees, and the celebration breakfast.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $150 (NOTE: the sleeping bags I bought in Portugal were not the quality I was expecting, so the rental for the sleepingbags is complimentary. Pack warm clothes.) We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.
Yellow Blazes
yellow blazes: intro to the Ice age trail
We have one of the greatest natural resources in America in Wisconsin, yet few people know about its true breath and lushness. The Ice Age Trail is now a nationally recognized National Scenic Trail, and snakes through 1,000 miles of fine Wisconsin land.
This trip is intented to show you just how accessible the Trail is, and that an incredible natural adventure is always only about an hour away from you.
DAY ONE: Meet at Parnell Tower in Sheboygan County. Leave some cars, and carpool the about 20 miles to Backpacking Shelter One Parking at Highway H. Hike eight miles to Backpacking Shelter Two.
NIGHT ONE: camp at Backpacking Shelter Two, a private, backpackers-only shelter hidden in the friendly forests of the Kettle Moraine North.
DAY TWO: Solobackpack to Shelter Five, sixteen miles through beautiful meadows, forests, and hearty Wisconsin land wholly shaped by ancient glaciers.
NIGHT TWO: camp at Backpacking Shelter Five, another backpackers-only shelter tucked in a forest.
DAY THREE: Double back on the IAT to Parnell Tower, three miles. We will celebrate the land and our proudbodies atop the Parnell Tower with a simple breakfast and champagne.
Group number: 3-5 , miles hiked: twenty-seven (27)
This stretch of the IAT is ancient: the glaciers that once lived here carved the land with wild knives. That means there are many small hills that will challenge your legs but not beat them down. If you are concerned about topography, you are welcome to ask me anything. But know that your body CAN do this, your spirit craves adventure, and if your spirit craves it hard enough, your body will do the work, and do it well.
I do not do group hikes. I am only interested in solo backpacking, so that means you can go at your own pace, and have complete freedom being alone in Nature. You will never feel that you have to keep up with anyone, and the Ice Age Trail is so beautifully marked that you will also never feel alone.
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $227.00. Included in this price is state backcountry reservations, taxes/fees, and our champagne breakfast.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $200. We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.
Note: this is not a group hike. We will have plenty of togetherness at camp, but you will be hiking alone.
A Taste of the living wild
A taste of the living wild
A TEENY PACK TRIP TO STEAL A BIT OF TIME IN NATURE
DAY ONE: Meet at the Ice Age Trailhead on Cushing Park Road in Delafield, WI. Backpack four miles through a rolling oak savannah that my family and I call “the Magnificent Meadow”.
We will drop our gear and set up our tents at the backcountry site at Lapham Peak State Park, and then hike to the tower and behold Wisconsin’s humble grandeur at sunset.
NIGHT ONE: Camp at the backcountry site.
DAY TWO: Backpack the four miles to the car. We will celebrate this bit of time stolen, and your burgeoning bravery, with a simple hot breakfast, coffee, and mimosa.
Total Miles Hiked: 9 (nine)
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $127.00 Included in this price is campsite reservations, gas, taxes/fees, and the celebration breakfast.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $150 (NOTE: the sleeping bags I bought in Portugal were not the quality I was expecting, so the rental for the sleepingbags is complimentary. Pack warm clothes.) We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.
First Feather
first feather : an intro to solo backpacking and SOLO CAMPING
THE ITINERARY:
DAY ONE: Meet in Milwaukee (time and location TBD). Drive the 2.5 hours to Sturgeon Bay and park at the Shoreline Rd trailhead of the Ice Age Trail (IAT). Backpack the IAT to the Eastern Terminus, three miles. The trail will weave through beautiful forests and along Lake Michigan.
After the hike, we’ll drive another hour to Newport Beach State Park, where we will hike independently to our own back country sites, (about two miles) where, that night, we will solo camp.
NIGHT ONE: Solocamp in your own backcountry site at Newport Beach State Park.
DAY TWO: You may leave your campsite as is, and hike back to the car. Explore Sister Bay (there is wonderful shopping and a grocery store to resupply if needed) and drive to Newport Beach State Park, the only wilderness park in Wisconsin, and the only “dark sky park” in the Midwest . Solobackpack the seven mile Europe Bay Trail, and then the two miles to your own backcountry site. Your site will have access to the lake.
NIGHT TWO: Solocamp at Newport Beach State Park. You will fall asleep to the sound of waves, and can even camp on the beach, if you like.
DAY THREE: return the two miles to the main beach, and celebrate your victories with a hot breakfast (prepared by me!) and a cold plunge in the lake. Return to Milwaukee.
FLOCK NUMBER: 2-3 BIRDS
NUMBER OF MILES HIKED: nineteen (19) miles
NOTE: This is a true beginner’s trek. The terrain is gentle, welcoming, and overall flat. If you have a human body, you can backpack. If your spirit is curious, your body will rise to the challenge.
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $527.00 Included in this price is van rental, state park passes, campsite reservations, gas, the beach breakfast on our last day taxes/fees.
Each piece of gear is $20. 00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $20. If you need all four, add $60 (one for free!) We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.
Note: this is not a group hike. We will have plenty of togetherness at camp, but you will be hiking alone.
El Camino de Costa Rica
:::GReen lungs:::
a pack trip on the camino de costa rica
“A scene like you dream about is before me…
I am beholding Mother Nature’s frilly green dress. Oh, I can’t even stomach it all! The bellies of my eyes are filled with this scene.
The glory! The soaring! The incredibilia!”
-written in my journal, in Costa Rica, 2025
Hello! You are here because your heart is a wild beast, you are hungry for experiences, and you are answering the call of “More Life?”
This pack trip is pure glory. I hiked the full length in January 2025 and led four women on a version of this trek in 2026. The hiking is challenging, but the places we will stay each night are so deliciously unique, and I am confident I have crafted a memorable adventure for your spirit.
On this adventure, we’ll be backpacking through rainforests; the trees will part their boughs for us, and we will be allowed inside their wild world. You will likely hear animals you’ve never heard before, and maybe see creatures you’ve only read about in books. Air that seems alive with sound and scent and color will light up your lungs. You legs will feel fully awake, streaked with mud, and you will feel your heart gallop in your chest.
The Camino is an incredibly accessible trail: however, Costa Rica is HILLY, and beginner backpackers will consider it MOUNTAINOUS. You must be prepared for your legs to burn, your lungs to seethe, and your body to feel like it*s struggling. IT IS, and it is NOT: IT IS COMING ALIVE.
But do not underestimate the topography.
A note about this adventure: You will not stay dry or clean. You must not fear dogs, spiders, monkeys, or snakes. You must not think of the elevation as the enemy.
You must be able to hike 15 CHALLENGING miles a day, on your own. YOUR BODY AND MIND MUST BE PREPARED FOR ELEVATION GAIN AND LOSS.
Due to time, we are leapfrogging over the trail: instead of hiking the full 280 km continual distance, we will use some transportation to take us from section to section. Know that if you indeed fall in love, every step of the Trail is a wonder, and is worthy of a full expedition. This is a “no skip” trail, but this time, we will just get beautiful bites rather than the full meal.
BEFORE YOU READ ON :
Listen, babe: I want you to succeed. If you have never backpacked before, and long to take chances, make mistakes , and get messy, I want that for you. But this is a big chance for someone entirely new: nine days is a long time to be stuck if you find out on day one that you hate this kind of hiking. Above all, your attitude toward yourself, me, and the mountains will determine if you have a soaring time or a sour time. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ATTITUDE. So, I welcome you to apply (begin the process at the bottom of this page) but I am going to reach out to you to talk with you about this trek.
(There is a reason for this extra hoop to jump through! I promise I do not mean to make you feel unwanted. YOU ARE WANTED…but do you really want the true reality of backpacking? That is what I must try to assess.)
Beasts who have backpacked with me before are welcome to join without a wait.
Beasts who have backpacked long distance before and are familiar with elevation gain are also welcome to join without a wait.
A strange note on FRIENDSHIPS: I do not encourage you to bring a friend on this trek. To want to backpack 60 sweaty, challenging miles is a unique thing, and a friend uninitiated in the rigors and roughness of (overall) continuous backpacking will find this trek a brutal surprise. The backpacker must want the struggle and sweat for herself, not to help a friend.
Additionally, I emphasize solitude over community. I want the Individual to thrive and learn about herself, really feel her body meet Nature in this wild, wild way. It is much harder to focus on your own inner life if you are carrying the emotional weight of a friend who might be struggling up the hill that you want to enjoy.
YOUR BODY AND MIND MUST bE PREPARED FOR CHALLENGING ELEVATION GAIN AND LOSS.
Another note: my photos here are a reflection of my experience, but they may not be yours. NATURE OWES NO ONE SUNNY DAYS. When entering the heart of the wild, it is wise to leave your expectations at home.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
The Mar a Mar Organization has a comprehensive and beautiful website. They are extraordinarily professional and responsive, and are eager for hikers to succeed on their trail.
You will find a detailed explanation of each stage, or etapa , along with the elevation gain and loss throughout the day, as well as an estimate of how long each stage takes within this site.
The trail guide written by Evan Brashiers was a good resource for me when I was planning locations to stay overnight. However, as a seasoned backpacker, I didn’t need his recommendations of hiking gear, hiking techniques, and trail navigation. If this would give you added peace of mind, certainly get it. You might find that you don’t need it as all our homestays are already planned. Nevertheless, it is linked below.
THE MOST VITAL RESOURCE, HOWEVER, is the FarOut Navigation App. This is a must. It not only provides GPS navigation, but helpful catalogue of water sources and resupply locations.
YOUR BODY AND MIND MUST BE PREPARED FOR CHALLENGING ELEVATION GAIN AND LOSS.
the glorious days
Day One SAN JOSE: (Monday, January 11)
Land in San Jose, Costa Rica, the capitol and largest city in the country. Costa Rica is within our CST time zone, so there is no need to worry about jet lag. Meet at the beautiful hostel “Viajero San Jose” hostel, and prepare for the adventure the next day. This means shopping for breakfast and lunch for the next two days at a grocery store. There are really no shops to buy food on our first two days of hiking, and very few rivers to drink from, so ensuring you have enough water is as important as food.
Night One: sleep in the communal bunk rooms at Viajero San Jose.
miles hiked: ZERO (0)
Day Two: CIMARRONES to LAS BRISAS (Tuesday, January 12)
take the earliest bus to Siquerres, the largest town closest to where we’ll begin the Camino, roughly a two hour ride. In Siquerres, we’ll hire a taxi the eleven miles to Cimarrones, where we’ll begin. From Cimarrones, hike 9 climbing miles of rainforest and farmland to Las Brisas, where we will stay the night.
Night Two: stay at Barbilla Rainforest Lodge (a working farm) where dinner is included and cooked by the glorious Marina, an anthropologist by education and community worker by choice. Breakfast is also included.
miles hiked: NINE (9)
elevation gained: 2379 ft (725 m)
Day Three: LAS BRISAS to TRES EQUIS (Wednesday, January 13)
hold onto your butts for a true adventure. We will be hiking through a protected indigenous rainforest, on Nairi land, and so will hire a mandatory indigenous guide to take us through the challenging trail.
This trail is PURE JOY, but it is muddy and rugged. We have no hope of remaining clean or dry! There are many unapologetic uphills where you will use a tree’s roots as stairs, and you will probably slip and fall in the mud on a downhill. There are rivers to wade across, and you will even pull yourself across a mighty river in an iron cage with a pulley. It is a wild, wild, wild day, with adventures you’ll hopefully delight in forever. This is walking right into the churning belly of the earth, and laughing all the way.
This section of the trail changes elevation often: your legs will burn, but if you see the elevation as a wonder, rather than an onerous obstacle, you will have a fantastic time.
There are no shops or places to buy food along this trail.
After the last river crossing (in a handpulled cable car!) , we leave the rainforest up a brutal hill. (Unfortunately, any hike down to a river is answered with a challenging hike up). The hike continues five more miles through a bit more forgiving terrain through a bull farm. Enjoy the cows watching you sweat!
When we finally reach the expansive Finca Tres Equis, operated by the compelling and handsome Alphonso, you will be grateful for a shower and a bed.
Night Three: stay at Finca Tres Equis, a glorious farm with cabins, in the town of Tres Equis. There are hills to perch upon, horses to feed apples , and a perfect lookout for a wild sunset over a sometimes-hidden volcano. The downtown is but .2 miles away, an easy walk downhill, where there are bars, and a grocery store for resupplying. You are responsible for your own dinner and breakfast here.
miles hiked: TWELVE (12)
elevation gained: 3,251 feet (991 m)
elevation lost: 3067 feet (935 m)
Day Four: TRES EQUIS to PEJIBAYE (Thursday, January 14)
This is a day we will skip a section and allow our glorious feet and legs to rest! We will hire a car to take us from Tres Equis to the town of Pejibaye (a one hour ride), where nearby there is a happy river just perfect for soaking tired feet. Pejibaye features some restaurants and a pretty robust market where you can resupply as you need.
Night Four: stay at Finca Covacam, a little family run inn about two miles outside of Pejibaye. Dinner and breakfast are optional to purchase from Finca Covacam. Resupply your food in town, as there are limited places to shop for food the next day. Before hiking out the next day, ensure you have plenty of water.
miles hiked: no trail miles, though the downtown of Pejibaye is about two flat, road miles away from Finca Covacam, and the river is down a hill from where it sits.
Day Five: PEJIBAYE to OROSI (Friday, January 15)
This will be another day of challenging but rewarding hiking. We will again be climbing into the heart of the rainforest, and there are many uphills that tire the body but thrill the spirit. Listen for howler monkeys arguing, blue morpho butterflies lilting on the breeze, and toucans roosting in the trees above you.
But hang on! A glory awaits us at the end of the day!
Night Five: stay at Hotel Orosi, a beautiful hot springs environment, where we will stay in the cabins of former coffee workers. Enjoy the evening soaking your tired body in the hot springs, heated with thermal water from the nearby volcanoes. Dinner and breakfast are optional to order from Hotel Orosi, but if you choose to buy your own food, we pass the town of Purisil on the way to the hot springs, and you can resupply at the wee bodega.
miles hiked: SIXTEEN (16)
elevation gained: 3822 ft (1165 m )
elevation lost: 2001 ft (610 m)
Day Six: OROSI to PALO VERDE (Saturday, January 16)
You have earned another zero day! Enjoy the hot springs and the coffee farm for the entire morning and into the afternoon. We will hire a car to take us to Palo Verde (over an hour drive) , a mountain community where the most wonderful pair of women are waiting for us at “Orchid House” . Laura is an award winning dancer, and has a sprawling home at which to enjoy and relax. Her mother Theresita is a pure delight, and you will leave the next day feeling like family.
Night Six: stay at Orchid House, where dinner and breakfast are included and Laura will teach us how to salsa like hot, juicy babes.
miles hiked: 0 miles
left to right, Theresita, me, and Laura!
Day Seven: PALO VERDE to CABO LUNA (Sunday, January 17)
Those of us who remain to hike on will enjoy another beautiful but challenging day up to the highest point on the Camino de Costa Rica.
The climb is called January Hill, called this by locals because after the joys of December, January seems like a long slog. It IS a high, long, four hour climb, but the trail is on a dirt road traversed by motorbikes, so there are some rests from the elevation.
Today the hike is through more cultivated farm land, and because we are now on the “Pacific Side” of the Camino, you will notice a change in the vegetation and temperature.
Night Seven: stay at the most unexpected home I’ve ever encountered. When I walked in, I thought a treasure chest had been dropped by giants. Called “Cabo Luna”, it is a home owned by the worldly and handsome Carlos. It’s like a museum of antiques and talismans from a life lived richlly.
Dinner and breakfast will be provided, cooked by Carlos himself, and we will eat outside, listening to the stream that runs along the belly of his land, and sleep in either a room that will remind you of a tree house or a room that will remind you of an antique shop.
He has three dogs, Orca, Arco, and Betsy, and Betsy will probably charm your entire soul.
miles hiked: SIXTEEN (16)
elevation gained: 4177 ft (1334 m)
elevation lost: 4318 ft (1316 m )
Day Eight: SAN PABLO LEON CORTES to ESQUIPULAS (Monday, January 18)
Hike the mile or so to the town of San Pablo Leon Cortes. Catch a taxi down the last mountain (a two and a half hour ride) to the village of Villa Nueva. From Villa Nueva, hike the dirt road two and a half miles into the rainforest, where we will be met with pure magic.
Esquipulas Rainforest Lodge is a glorious respite on the edge of a rainforest with the most mesmerizing bird watching I’ve ever experienced.
Night Eight: sleep in your own thatched hut at Esquipulas Rainforest Lodge. Dinner and breakfast are optional.
miles hiked: about FIVE (5) on a flat, dirt road.
Day Nine: ESQUIPULAS to QUEPOS to SAN JOSE (Tuesday, January 19)
Today, conclude the hike with 2.5 miles back to Villa Nueva, and catch a city bus from Villa Nueva to Quepos. There will be time for you to enjoy the Pacific Beach!
From Quepos, catch a bus to San Jose.
I recommend not scheduling a flight out on this day. Traffic can be absolutely crazy in Costa Rica (as many highways are only one lane) and feeling rushed or crunched for time is a terrible feeling. I recommend flying out on Wednesday, January 20.
Night Nine: stay again at Viajero San Jose.
miles hiked: two and a half (2.5) on a flat , dirt road.
total miles hiked:
sixty THREE (63)
a note on food: I have chosen to include the best food offerings in the total value of the trip: the places where dinner and breakfast are not included are places where the food is forgettable (except for Hotel Orosi) and it is a better value for you to purchase your own food in a bodega.
TOTAL VALUE OF THE ADVENTURE
What Is Included…
-lodging in San Jose, Las Brisas, Tres Equis, Pejibaye, Hotel Orosi, Palo Verde, Cabo Luna, and Esquipulas
-dinner at Las Brisas, Palo Verde, Cabo Luna
= breakfasts at Las Brisas, Palo Verde, Cabo Luna
-public transportation from San Jose, Siquierres, Esquipulas, and Quepos
= private transportation from Tres Equis, Orosi, and San Pablo Leon Cortes
=the glorious hot springs at Orosi
-salsa lesson with the spicy Laura
=fee for mandatory indigenous guide through Etapa 3 and 4
-entrance fee into indigenous section
=trekking poles for you to use while hoisting your fine animal body over the highlands
=that Flock of Beasts grit and glory
What is NOT Included
-plane fare to San Jose
- resupply food, drinks, and snacks
-the optional packed lunch at Las Brisas
- dinner in San Jose, Tres Equis, Pejibaye, Orosi, and Esquipulas
- breakfast at Tres Equis, Pejibaye, Orosi, and Esquipulas
-the FarOut app
-the Camino de Costa Rica hiking guide
-gratuity to our indigenous guide
Total Value: $2100
$500 non refundable down payment required immediately to secure your spot.
Next payment due May 2025 (day and amount is up to you: I will reach out to you specifically)
Next payment due September 2025 ( (day and amount is up to you)
: Paid in full by early November :
REFUNDS ONLY AVAILABLE BEFORE SEPTEMBER: understand that filling trips is often difficult, even amazing ones like this. Thank you for your empathy for a small business owner.
ONLY 3 SPOTS AVAILABLE IN THE FLOCK
More information to follow: every month before our departure, I will be chirping from your inbox, with a packing list (you need less than you think), training suggestions (it’s necessary to ensure you’re in appropriate shape before we go), and overall cheering and cartwheeling.
An adventure is whispering to you! If you have clicked this page and read this far, there is a large part of your spirit that craves sweat and mud and rigor. Give this beast of your spirit room to grow, and see what you’re made of.
I know it is something fantastic.
Green Lungs FIRST STEP
first time backpackers, begin your adventure here!
El Camino de Costa Rica
El camino de costa rica : a pack trip into the heart of green
“A scene like you dream about is before me…
I am beholding Mother Nature’s frilly green dress. Oh, I can’t even stomach it all! The bellies of my eyes are filled with this scene.
The glory! The soaring! The incredibilia!”
-written in my journal, in Costa Rica, 2025
Hello! You are here because your heart is a wild beast, you are hungry for experiences, and you are answering the call of “More Life?”
This pack trip is pure glory. I hiked the full length in January 2024, and loved every single minute. It was at the same time challenging and restful, exciting and familiar. On this adventure, we’ll be backpacking through rainforests; the trees will part their boughs for us, and we will be allowed inside their wild world. You will hear animals you’ve never heard before, and maybe see creatures you’ve only read about in books. Air that seems alive with sound and scent and color will light up your lungs. You legs will feel fully awake, streaked with mud, and you will feel your heart gallop in your chest.
The trail is an excellent option for seasoned backpackers, but due to the nature of my backpacking ethic (we do not hike in a line or in a group: my goal is to invigorate your independence and solitude when backpacking (though we will connect occasionally on each day’s hike to eat lunch ), some backpacking experience is an absolute must.
A note about this adventure: You will not stay dry or clean. You must not fear dogs, spiders, monkeys, or snakes.
You must be able to hike 15 miles a day, on your own.
Due to time, we are leapfrogging over the trail: instead of hiking the full 280 km continual distance, we will use some transportation to take us from section to section. Know that if you indeed fall in love, every step of the Trail is a wonder, and is worthy of a full expedition. This is a “no skip” trail, but this time, we will just get beautiful bites rather than the full meal.
Also, due to time, you will note that I’ve mentioned “Seven Day Beasts” and “Nine Day Beasts”; if you must leave early, you are a Seven Day Beast and the total rate for your trip will be different than the Nine Day Beasts.
Another note on this adventure: one of the goals of the Camino is to provide an economic artery to the communities and families in inland Costa Rica, so every night, we will be residing in homestays or rainforest lodges along the trail. There will be no camping, so no camping gear is needed to bring along, freeing you up with a much lighter pack and less arduous days.
Another note: having a grasp of Spanish is a bonus.
You must be able to hike 15 miles a day, on your own.
Another note: my photos here are a reflection of my experience, but they may not be yours. NATURE OWES NO ONE SUNNY DAYS. When enterring the heart of the wild, it is wise to leave your expectations at home.
Another note: tap water is safe to drink in Costa Rica. But because it is so fun and meaningful to drink from a stream or river, I recommend a water filter so that you don’t have to carry so much water on the long sections.
Recommended resources
The Mar a Mar Organization has a comprehensive and beautiful website. They are extraordinarily professional and responsive, and are eager for hikers to succeed on their trail.
The trail guide written by Evan Brashiers was a good resource for me when I was planning locations to stay overnight. However, as a seasoned backpacker, I didn’t need his recommendations of hiking gear, hiking techniques, and trail navigation. If this would give you added peace of mind, certainly get it. You might find that you don’t need it as all our homestays are already planned. Nevertheless, it is linked below.
THE MOST VITAL RESOURCE, HOWEVER, is the FarOut Navigation App. This is a must. It not only provides GPS navigation, but helpful catalogue of water sources and resupply locations.
you must be able to hike 15 miles a day.
the glorious days
Day One SAN JOSE, 1/26 :
Land in San Jose, Costa Rica, the capitol and largest city. Costa Rica is within our CST time zone, so there is no need to worry about jet lag. Meet at the beautiful hostel “Socialtel San Jose”, and prepare for the adventure the next day. This means shopping for breakfast and lunch for the next two days at a grocery store. There are no shops to buy food on our first two days of hiking, and very few rivers to drink from, so ensuring you have enough water is as important as food.
Night One: sleep in the communal bunk rooms at Socialtel San Jose.
miles hiked: ZERO (0)
Day Two: CIMARRONES to LAS BRISAS, 1/27 :
take the earliest bus to Siquerres, the largest town closest to where we’ll begin the Camino. In Siquerres, we’ll hire a taxi the eleven miles to Cimarrones, where we’ll begin. From Cimarrones, hike 9 miles of rainforest and farmland to Las Brisas, where we will stay the night.
Night Two: stay at Barbilla Rainforest Lodge (a working farm) where dinner is included and cooked by the glorious Marina.
miles hiked: NINE (9)
Day Three: LAS BRISAS to TRES EQUIS, 1/28 :
hold onto your butts for a true adventure. We will be hiking through a protected indigenous rainforest, on Nairi land, and so will hire an indigenous guide to take us through the challenging trail.
This trail is PURE JOY, but it is muddy and rugged. We have no hope of remaining clean or dry! There are many unapologetic uphills where you will use a tree’s roots as stairs, and you will probably slip and fall in the mud on a downhill. There are rivers to wade across, and you will even pull yourself across a mighty river in an iron cage with a pulley. It is a wild, wild, wild day, with adventures you’ll hopefully delight in forever. This is walking right into the churning belly of the earth, and laughing all the way.
There are no shops or places to buy food along this trail.
After the last river crossing, we leave the rainforest and walk on a road through a bull farm!
Night Three: stay at Finca Tres Equis, a glorious farm with cabins, in the town of Tres Equis. There are hills to perch upon, horses to try petting, and a perfect lookout for a wild sunset over a sometimes-hidden volcano. The downtown is but .2 miles away, an easy walk downhill, where there are bars, and a grocery store for resupplying.
miles hiked: FIFTEEN (15)
Day Four: TRES EQUIS to PEJIBAYE, 1/29 :
This is a day we will skip a section and allow our glorious feet and legs to rest! We will hire a car to take us from Tres Equis to the town of Pejibaye, where nearby there is a happy river that is just perfect for soaking tired feet. Pejibaye features some restaurants and a pretty robust market where you can resupply as you need.
Night Four: stay in the town of Pejibaye. Location TBD! (When I stayed in Pejibaye, I camped in a woman’s backyard!) Resupply your food in town, as there are limited places to shop for food the next day. Before hiking out the next day, ensure you have plenty of water.
miles hiked: no trail miles, though it is a lovely idea to walk the maybe mile to the river
Day Five: PEJIBAYE to RIO MACHO, 1/30 :
This will be another day of challenging but rewarding hiking. We will again be climbing into the heart of the rainforest, and there are many uphills that tire the body but thrill the spirit. Listen for howler monkeys arguing, blue morpho butterflies lilting on the breeze, and toucans roosting in the trees above you.
Night Five: stay at Rio Macho Lodge, a fine hotel where we will eat dinner and enjoy breakfast the next morning.
miles hiked: FIFTEEN (15)
Day Six: RIO MACHO to PALO VERDE, 1/31 :
You have earned another zero day! We will hire a car to take us to Palo Verde, a mountain community where the most wonderful pair of women are waiting for us at “Orchid House” . Laura is an award winning dancer, and has a sprawling home at which to enjoy and relax. Her mother Theresita is a pure delight, and you will leave the next day feeling like family.
Night Six: stay at Orchid House, where dinner and breakfast are included and Laura will teach us how to salsa like hot, juicy babes.
miles hiked: 0 miles
left to right, Theresita, me, and Laura!
Day Seven: PALO VERDE to CABO LUNA, 2/1 :
Today, after breakfast, Laura will transport those of you who need to leave to San Jose.
Those of us who remain to hike on will enjoy another beautiful but challenging day up to the highest point on the Camino de Costa Rica. Today the hike is through more cultivated farm land, and because we are now on the “Pacific Side” of the Camino, you will notice a change in the vegetation.
Night Seven: stay at the most unexpected home I’ve ever encountered. When I walked in, I thought a treasure chest had been dropped by giants. Called “Cabo Luna”, it is a home owned by the worldly and handsome Carlos. It’s like a museum of antiques and talismans from a life lived richlly.
Dinner will be provided, cooked by Carlos himself, and we will eat outside, listening to the stream that runs along the belly of his land, and sleep in what seems like a treehouse. He has three dogs, Orca, Arco, and Betsy, and Betsy will probably charm your entire soul.
miles hiked: SIXTEEN (16)
Day Eight: SAN PABLO LEON CORTES to ESQUIPULAS, 2/2 :
Hike the mile or so to the town of San Pablo Leon Cortes. Catch a bus to the city of Quepos, the end of the Camino. From Quepos, we will bus to Esquipulas Rainforest Lodge, a glorious respite on the edge of a rainforest with the most mesmerizing bird watching I’ve ever experienced.
Night Eight: sleep in your own “tee pee” at Esquipulas Rainforest Lodge.
miles hiked: FIVE (5)
Day Nine: ESQUIPULAS to QUEPOS to SAN JOSE, 2/3 :
Today, catch a shuttle from Esquipulas Rainforest Lodge to Quepos. From Quepos, catch a bus to San Jose.
I recommend not scheduling a flight out on this day. Traffic can be absolutely crazy in Costa Rica (as many highways are only one lane) and feeling rushed or crunched for time is a terrible feeling.
Night Nine: stay again at Socialtel San Jose.
miles hiked: zero
total miles hiked: sixty (60)
TOTAL VALUE OF THE ADVENTURE
::For the Seven Day Beasts::
What Is Included…
-lodging in San Jose, Las Brisas, Tres Equis, Pejibaye, Rio Macho, Palo Verde
-meals provided in Las Brisas, Rio Macho, and Palo Verde
-salsa lesson with the spicy Laura
-bus fare from San Jose
-taxi fare from Siquerres
-the indigenous guide through Nairi Rainforest
-entrance fee into indigenous section
-transportation from Palo Verde to San Jose
--post-adventure commemorative t shirt
-that Flock of Beasts grit and glory
What is NOT Included
-plane fare to San Jose
- resupply food, drinks, and snacks
-the optional packed lunch at Las Brisas
- dinner in San Jose, Tres Equis, and Pejibaye
-the FarOut app
-the Camino de Costa Rica hiking guide (optional)
-gratuity for our indigenous guide/drivers
TOTAL VALUE: 1675.oo
TOTAL VALUE OF THE ADVENTURE
::For the NINE Day Beasts::
What Is Included…
-lodging in San Jose, Las Brisas, Tres Equis, Pejibaye, Rio Macho, Palo Verde, Cabo Luna, and Esquipulas
-dinner and some breakfasts provided in Las Brisas, Rio Macho, Palo Verde, Cabo Luna, and Esquipulas
-bus fare from San Jose
-taxi fare from Siquerres
-salsa lesson with the spicy Laura
-the indigenous guide through Sections 3 and 4
-entrance fee into indigenous section
-transportation to Esquipulas Rainforest Lodge
-bus fare from Quepos
-the last night at Socialtel San Jose
-post-adventure commemorative t shirt
-that Flock of Beasts grit and glory
What is NOT Included
-plane fare to San Jose
- resupply food, drinks, and snacks
-the optional packed lunch at Las Brisas
- dinner in San Jose, Tres Equis, and Pejibaye
- breakfast at Tres Equis, Pejibaye, Cabo Luna, and Esquipulas
-the FarOut app
-the Camino de Costa Rica hiking guide
-gratuity to our indigenous guide/drivers
Total Value: 1895.00
$500 down payment required immediately to secure your spot.
Next payment due May 2025 (day is up to you: I will reach out to you specifically)
Next payment due September 2025
Paid in full by early November
REFUNDS ONLY AVAILABLE TILL MAY: understand that filling trips is often difficult, even amazing ones like this. Thank you for your empathy for a small business owner.
ONLY 4-5 SPOTS AVAILABLE IN THE FLOCK
More information to follow: about a packing list (you need less than you think), training suggestions (it’s a wise idea to ensure you’re in shape before we go), and overall cheering and cartwheeling.
An adventure is whispering to you! If you have clicked this page and read this far, there is a large part of your spirit that craves sweat and mud and rigor. Give this beast of your spirit room to grow, and see what you’re made of.
I know it is something fantastic.
Crows with Quills
CROws with Quills: a Writing and hiking trek
This trip celebrates the glorious confluence of humans, Nature, and words
DAY ONE (October 22): Meet in Milwaukee and drive together to Parfey’s Glen, a beautiful gorge hidden in a friendly forest. Explore there, and then “slackpack” (the term for hiking without your backpacking gear) the seven miles of the Ice Age Trail (IAT) to Devil’s Lake State Park. I will have driven our gear to Devil’s Lake and will hike toward you and meet you in the forest.
Among our murder will be New York Times bestselling writer Tia Levings. She has a unique perspective of the long journey to finding her creative voice and doing the hard work of writing her story. She will be along as a fellow writer but also as a big sister to your own literary perseverance.
NIGHT ONE: Camp together at Devil’s Lake.
DAY TWO (October 23): Enjoy all day at Devil’s Lake State Park, one of the most resplendent and interesting state parks in Wisconsin. Soak in the beauty of the high bluffs, the deciduous forests, the rivers, streams, and many hiking trails. Immerse your mind in the beauty and peace of Nature. Write as you please.
NIGHT TWO: Meet at camp for a meal (prepared by me) and a chance to read your favorite poems or passages from established writers. Around the campfire, we’ll share our writing from the day. Feedback can be received on request, but this is not a critique session, just a joyous place to breathe life into your words.
Tia will speak about how solitude, solo travel, and Nature have Led her to Herself, and are intrinsic parts of her journey in Life, Writing, and her Spirituality.
DAY THREE (October 24): Pack up camp and drive together to Gibraltar Rock, an incredible land mass overlooking a luscious expanse of Wisconsin farmland. Explore here, write here, read here. After several hours (true time TBD) we’ll meet on the bluffs and read our writing.
Drive back to Milwaukee. We will see bold writing in action at “Switzerland” at the award-winning Renaissance Theaterworks . If there are people who need to fly out early the next day, you are welcome to split from the group after the play .
Those remaining will camp the final night in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, about a half an hour outside of Milwaukee
NIGHT THREE: Camp in Kettle Moraine State Forest.
DAY FOUR (October 25): Drive back to Milwaukee.
MURDER NUMBER: 8-10 crows
Total Miles Hiked: 10 (whatever you choose to hike on your own at Devil’s Lake is not included in this total)
Total Cost: $577
(included in this value is car rental, gas, camping permits, camp reservations, the meal on Night Two, and RTW tickets for all. If you can’t attend the play, let me know and your total will be adapted to accomodate.)
As mentioned, New York Times bestseller Tia Levings will be in our murder to write, to breathe, to hike. Get to know her work by clicking the box below.
This trip is more of a writing/hiking trip than a backpacking trip. If you have camping gear already, or have access to borrow it, bring it! If you need camping gear, I have a limited number of tents, sleeping bags, blow-up mattresses, and packs, available to rent.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $150 (one item thrown in for free). We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
A Taste of the living wild
A taste of the living wild
A TEENY PACK TRIP TO STEAL A BIT OF TIME IN NATURE
DAY ONE: Meet at the Ice Age Trailhead on Cushing Park Road in Delafield, WI. Backpack four miles through a rolling oak savannah that my family and I call “the Magnificent Meadow”.
We will drop our gear and set up our tents at the backcountry site at Lapham Peak State Park, and then hike to the tower and behold Wisconsin’s humble grandeur at sunset.
NIGHT ONE: Camp at the backcountry site.
DAY TWO: Backpack the four miles to the car. We will celebrate this bit of time stolen, and your burgeoning bravery, with a simple hot breakfast, coffee, and mimosa.
Total Miles Hiked: 9 (nine)
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $127.00 Included in this price is campsite reservations, gas, taxes/fees, and the celebration breakfast.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $150 (NOTE: the sleeping bags I bought in Portugal were not the quality I was expecting, so the rental for the sleepingbags is complimentary. Pack warm clothes.) We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.
A Taste of the living wild
A taste of the living wild
A TEENY PACK TRIP TO STEAL A BIT OF TIME IN NATURE
DAY ONE: Meet at the Ice Age Trailhead on Cushing Park Road in Delafield, WI. Backpack four miles through a rolling oak savannah that my family and I call “the Magnificent Meadow”.
We will drop our gear and set up our tents at the backcountry site at Lapham Peak State Park, and then hike to the tower and behold Wisconsin’s humble grandeur at sunset.
NIGHT ONE: Camp at the backcountry site.
DAY TWO: Backpack the four miles to the car. We will celebrate this bit of time stolen, and your burgeoning bravery, with a simple hot breakfast, coffee, and mimosa.
Total Miles Hiked: 9 (nine)
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $127.00 Included in this price is campsite reservations, gas, taxes/fees, and the celebration breakfast.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $150 (NOTE: the sleeping bags I bought in Portugal were not the quality I was expecting, so the rental for the sleepingbags is complimentary. Pack warm clothes.) We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.
Yellow Blazes
yellow blazes: intro to the Ice age trail
We have one of the greatest natural resources in America in Wisconsin, yet few people know about its true breath and lushness. The Ice Age Trail is now a nationally recognized National Scenic Trail, and snakes through 1,000 miles of fine Wisconsin land.
This trip is intented to show you just how accessible the Trail is, and that an incredible natural adventure is always only about an hour away from you.
DAY ONE: Meet at Parnell Tower in Sheboygan County. Leave some cars, and carpool the about 20 miles to Backpacking Shelter One Parking at Highway H. Hike eight miles to Backpacking Shelter Two.
NIGHT ONE: camp at Backpacking Shelter Two, a private, backpackers-only shelter hidden in the friendly forests of the Kettle Moraine North.
DAY TWO: Solobackpack to Shelter Five, sixteen miles through beautiful meadows, forests, and hearty Wisconsin land wholly shaped by ancient glaciers.
NIGHT TWO: camp at Backpacking Shelter Five, another backpackers-only shelter tucked in a forest.
DAY THREE: Double back on the IAT to Parnell Tower, three miles. We will celebrate the land and our proudbodies atop the Parnell Tower with a simple breakfast and champagne.
Group number: 3-5 , miles hiked: twenty-seven (27)
This stretch of the IAT is ancient: the glaciers that once lived here carved the land with wild knives. That means there are many small hills that will challenge your legs but not beat them down. If you are concerned about topography, you are welcome to ask me anything. But know that your body CAN do this, your spirit craves adventure, and if your spirit craves it hard enough, your body will do the work, and do it well.
I do not do group hikes. I am only interested in solo backpacking, so that means you can go at your own pace, and have complete freedom being alone in Nature. You will never feel that you have to keep up with anyone, and the Ice Age Trail is so beautifully marked that you will also never feel alone.
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $227.00. Included in this price is state backcountry reservations, taxes/fees, and our champagne breakfast.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $200. We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.
Note: this is not a group hike. We will have plenty of togetherness at camp, but you will be hiking alone.
First Feather
first feather : an intro to solo backpacking
THE ITINERARY:
DAY ONE: Meet in Milwaukee (time and location TBD). Drive the 2.5 hours to Sturgeon Bay and park at the Shoreline Rd trailhead of the Ice Age Trail (IAT). Backpack the IAT to the Eastern Terminus, three miles. The trail will weave through beautiful forests and along Lake Michigan to Potowatomi State Park, where we’ll camp that night.
We’ll hike west back to our campsite, another mile or two.
NIGHT ONE: Camp at Potowatomi State Park.
DAY TWO: Break camp and drive the hour to Door County. Explore Sister Bay (there is wonderful shopping and a grocery store to resupply if needed) and drive to Newport Beach State Park, the only wilderness park in Wisconsin, and the only “dark sky park” in the Midwest . Solobackpack the 10 mile Europe Bay Trail, and then the two miles to your own backcountry site. Your site will have access to the lake.
NIGHT TWO: Solocamp at Newport Beach State Park. You will fall asleep to the sound of waves, and can even camp on the beach, if you like.
DAY THREE: return the two miles to the main beach, and celebrate your victories with a hot breakfast (prepared by me!) and a cold plunge in the lake. Return to Milwaukee.
FLOCK NUMBER: 4-5 BIRDS
NUMBER OF MILES HIKED: nineteen (19) miles
NOTE: This is a true beginner’s trek. The terrain is gentle, welcoming, and overall flat. If you have a human body, you can backpack. If your spirit is curious, your body will rise to the challenge.
The Gear
I have assembled the primary pieces of backpacking gear for you to rent. (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, backpack) You may have some equipment already: great! Bring it, and rent what you don’t have.
When I began backpacking, the REI Backpacking Checklist was valuable to me. It is linked below, but I promise you, you don’t need everything written here. Backpacking gear is extremely expensive when new, so I hope I’ve taken some pressure off by investing in gear so that you’re not burdened by expenses for an activity you don’t even know if you’re going to like.
You will be responsible for bringing your clothes, toiletries, and your own food and if you choose to use heat when cooking , your own backpacking stove. (Note: you don’t need one.)
I believe in rewarding your solitude when you’ve made camp, so I recommend bringing a book and certainly a journal. Journaling is one of the ways we map our inner landscapes. My pa has built adventure journals for this very purpose, and if you’re interested in one for yourself, let me know!
You are welcome to email me about any gear questions you have.
the value
The base price for the trek is $477.00 Included in this price is van rental, state park passes, campsite reservations, gas, the beach breakfast on our last day taxes/fees.
Each piece of gear is $50.00 to rent. If you need just one piece of gear, add $50. If you need all four, add $200. We will be in touch about your needs, and I’ll send you a Paypal invoice for the gear rental you need.
…
I hope to show you two doors: the one out in Nature that is always open to you, and the one inside yourself that ought never be shut. Backpacking is a challenging, meaningful, beautiful path into the heart of living fiercely.

