outside in retreat
trip details

Wahoo! We're so pumped you're registered for this camping retreat. You'll find most of the logistical info you need to prepare for your trip on this page, and we'll email you the week before the trip with final details about our meeting spot, carpools, and bios from the other rad ladies who'll be joining you.

our venue

We'll be staying an hour and a half north of SF at Shanti Permaculture Farm. While we'll be camping outdoors, like on regular Trail Mavens trips, we'll have access to this yurt to talk and reflect during the day (because it's hard to set goals if you're shivering or wet).

The property features potable water, an outdoor shower for the brave, and most importantly, a composting toilet (so you won't have to pee or poop outdoors...unless you want to).

Meals

Lunch/dinner on Saturday, breakfast/lunch/dinner on Sunday, and breakfast on Monday will be provided. We’ll eat tasty hot meals for breakfast and dinner, and this will be your opportunity to get hands-on practice using a variety of camp cooking techniques. The group will share in cooking and cleanup responsibilities, and you'll be on meal duty and dish duty at least once.

Hiking

During the day, weather-pending, we'll explore local trails and the crazy beautiful beaches and rock formations on the coast. We'll hike no more than 4 miles each day at a relaxed pace. In short, physical ability won't hold you back on this trip.

*Guides reserve the option to modify trip itinerary as necessary due to weather, injury, illness, or other unforeseen incidents.

Packing List

Each Trail Maven should plan on bringing:

• Sleeping bag rated at 30° or colder
• Sleeping pad
• Headlamp with fresh batteries/spares
   
• Sleeping bag liner (if borrowing Trail Mavens sleeping bag)
• Personal clothing (see below)
• Sturdy, broken-in walking/hiking shoes
• Cozy shoes/slippers for hanging inside the yurt
• Small backpack for carrying your personal items

Items in bold will be provided for those women who indicated they needed them during registration. 

SHARED ITEMS, PROVIDED BY TRAIL MAVENS: Tents, lanterns, food and wine, stoves, fuel, cookware, camp chairs, utensils, firewood and basic First Aid. 

Clothing

This trip is a great opportunity to practice your minimalist packing skills! We recommend the following:

• One pair hiking shorts or leggings (we prefer capri leggings for their versatility)
• One pair long pants for warmth at night (we love fleece pants as a warm layer over leggings)
• Two tanks/short-sleeved shirts (one for the day, one for sleeping)
• One long-sleeved shirt
• Lightweight fleece or wool layer for warmth at night
• Fleece or down jacket for warmth at night
• Waterproof outerwear for warmth at night, and in case of rain
• Two pairs socks (one pair on your feet, one pair in your bag)
• Two pairs underwear
• Warm hat/lightweight gloves

Please use your own judgement when packing: if you’re always cold, pack heavier layers. Keep an eye on the weather forecast linked below!

Weather

Please keep an eye on the forecast as we approach our trip!

Leave No Trace

Trail Mavens is committed to following and teaching Leave No Trace principles. To get you started, watch this video on LNT Outdoor Ethics from the National Parks Service. We'll cover this material again on our trip!

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking

Trail Mavens often enjoy wine or whiskey together around the campfire in the evenings. Participation in drinking is welcome, and of course not mandatory.

We ask that Trail Mavens leave recreational drugs at home. If you’re a smoker, please be respectful and partake in a manner that doesn’t bother other group members, and adheres to Leave No Trace principles.

Electronics

This is an internet-free weekend (plus, we won’t have cell service)! If you’d like to share your pics on social media, go for it, but only after we get backhome. Then, feel free to go crazy tagging @trailmavens on Instagram or Twitter.

Gear Care

Trail Mavens provides its adventurers with $800-1000 of fantastic camping gear. Read on for a couple tips on how to keep gear in fantastic condition:

TENTS
Your tent is your home for the weekend, so you want to keep it clean and tidy! Keep the door zipped shut unless you’re getting in or out to avoid six-legged visitors. Consume only water inside your tent to keep it scent-free, and store anything smelly, including toiletries, inside a car or food box (available at our campsite). High-end tent fabric is very delicate; keep shoes and anything else dirty or sharp outside.

SLEEPING BAGS
Set up your sleeping bag inside your tent to keep both your bag and your tent clean.

SLEEPING PADS
Our pads are inflatable, meaning they’re a) quite comfortable and b) can pop if they meet a sharp rock. Be sure to unpack, inflate, deflate, and pack your pad inside your tent, away from anything sharp. This will ensure a comfortable night of sleep for you, and a clean tent.

Still scratching your head about something before the trip?
Email hello@trailmavens.com.