Empower Her:

Beginners Backpacking Retreat

Indian Heaven Wilderness

September 5-7, 2025

Have you always wanted to go backpacking but don’t know where to start?

Welcome to our Women’s Beginner Backpacking Retreat—a transformative journey into the heart of nature designed for adventurers seeking to explore the great outdoors with confidence and camaraderie.

Expert backpacker and trail guide Neo Luz will share her expertise on essential backpacking skills, including navigation, camp setup, and Leave No Trace principles. Participants will learn how to pack their backpacks efficiently, select appropriate gear, and stay safe in the wilderness.

But our retreat is about more than just learning practical skills—it's about forging connections and creating lasting memories. We will have multiple rituals, sharing circles, meditations, and moments of quiet reflection. There's ample opportunity to reconnect with oneself, our fellow hikers and the natural world.

No matter your level of outdoor experience, this retreat is the perfect opportunity to step outside your comfort zone, embrace adventure, and discover the joy of backpacking in the company of like-minded explorers. Join us as we embark on an unforgettable journey into the wilderness, where every trail leads to new horizons and endless possibilities.

This is all inclusive 3-day backpacking adventure includes:

  • Full Trip Itinerary

  • All 3 Meals

  • Gear Rentals

  • Preparation Group Zoom Call

  • Packing 101

Overview of our Journey

  • Where

    Indian Heaven Wilderness, Carson, WA

  • Duration

    3 Days & 2 Nights June 27-29th

  • Group Size

    Up to 6 Hikers 1 Trail Guide

  • Activity Level

    ~15 miles total ~1,900 elevation gain

  • Healings

    Welcome & Prep Call Mindfulness & Reflection Cacao Circle Fire Ceremony Water blessings

  • Outdoor Skill

    Novice Welcome! Carry 30-40lb Pack Hike 3-4 miles

Sliding Scale $400-$600

I am committed to creating a healing backpacking retreat that is inclusive, accessible, and rooted in community care. This retreat is offered on a sliding scale to honor different financial circumstances.

Participants are asked to contribute at a level that feels sustainable and generous for them. The sliding scale covers the basic costs of the retreat, and any amount given above that helps support others in attending through scholarships, as well as additional services and supplies.

My deepest intention is to share the transformative power of nature and offer the healing it has given me in return. If the minimum sliding scale amount is still out of reach, please don’t hesitate to reach out—limited scholarship and trade options are available. You can email me directly to discuss what’s possible.

Early Bird Special:

Register by Aug 1st and receive $50 off any tier on the sliding scale. This is my way of saying thank you for committing early and helping with planning logistics.

Bring a Friend Bonus:

Invite a friend to register with you and you’ll each receive $50 off your retreat contribution. Shared healing is powerful, and community makes the experience even richer.

This Retreat Includes:

FOOD: Breakfast, lunch and dinners provided. If you have any dietary restrictions please let us know and we will accommodate accordingly.

GEAR & RENTALS: All group gear (stove, water filtration, maps, first aid kit, safety beacon, gps location) included. Package of rentals (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad) available for $100.

EXPERT GUIDES: Expert backpacking guide Neo Luz.

GROUP CALL: Creating a place for us to feel connected and prepared with a focus on setting clear intentions for our journey together, ask questions and deepen relationships with those attending. Call will be scheduled the week before the retreat.

BACKPACKING GEAR LIST: We provide a detailed gear list with examples and links.

NOT INCLUDED

  • Trip insurance (recommended and costs about $100)

  • Personal gear and clothing

  • Any unexpected expenses

Healing Activities

  • Fire Ceremony

    What would you like to release and/or call into your life? Fire is a cleansing tool and it clears the old to make way for the new. It connects us to the cycle of life.

  • Water Prayer

    Water holds intentions, what are you speaking into the waters inside and outside of your body? We will practice gratitude and healing the waters of life.

  • Earthing

    How to ground into the magnetic energy of the earth and stabilize our bodies; reducing inflammation, pain, and stress, improving blood flow, energy, and sleep.

  • Breathing Meditation

    How to focus our attention on our breath. One of the easiest ways to reduce stress and notice an immediate sense of relaxation.

  • Cacao Circle

    Learn about the plant medicine Cacao and how she can open and strengthen our hearts while connecting and embracing our emotions.

Schedule & Itinerary

  • Meet in Portland at 10am (address will be sent after registration)

    Leave Portland by 10:30-11am

    One stop at Carson General Store before leaving cell service

    Drive to Blue Lake Trailhead

    Grounding and setting expectation circle

    Start Our adventure

    4 Miles to First Camp!

    Water Prayer

  • Morning Mediation

    Hike 4-5 Miles to Camp #2

    Fire Ceremony (If permitted)

  • Morning Cacao Circle

    Hike 5-7 miles back to car

    Gratitude and Closing Circle

    Drive 1.5 hours back to Portland

    Expected arrival time: Before 6pm

Sample Menu

Breakfast

  • Gluten Free Oats or Granola

  • Powdered Coconut milk

  • Dried Berries & Nuts

Lunch

  • Sandwiches (Veggie or Tuna)

  • Fruit Bar

Dinner

  • Pasta, Veggies and Tuna

  • Chicken, Veggies and Rice

  • Soup (Chicken Tortilla or Veggie)

Trip Terrain

The Indian Heaven Wilderness in Washington state offers a diverse and enchanting landscape characterized by its unique combination of volcanic features, lush forests, and alpine meadows.

Trail Difficulty: The trail is approximately 15 miles round trip, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels. With 1,900’ elevation gain overall makes this trail perfect for beginners and the trail is generally well-maintained and easy to navigate.

Trail Access: The trailhead is located off Wind River Hwy and is accessible via a gravel road. Parking is available at the trailhead, but it can fill up quickly on weekends and holidays, so it's best to arrive early to secure a spot.

Permits and Regulations: A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park at the trailhead. Additionally, hikers are asked to follow Leave No Trace principles and respect the natural environment.

Logistics

We will begin our adventure with meeting in Portland at 10am Friday (address will be emailed upon registration).

We will have one stop at Carson General Store in Carson, WA for any last minute purchases before we head to the trailhead.

Trailhead: Thomas Lake Trailhead, Carson, Washington

Travel Time: 2 Hours plus bathroom breaks

Expected arrival time home: Latest by 6pm on Sunday

Questions about travel arrangements? Open to making the best possible experiences for everyone. Make sure to email any questions or concerns.

Registration and Deposit

Meet your Guide

  • Neo Luz

    FOUNDER/TRAIL GUIDE

    Neo boasts over 15 years of both solo and group backpacking experience, starting with her journey through the Oregon section of the Pacific Crest Trail. She later conquered the entire 2,650-mile trail solo. Alongside this feat, she has climbed 10 alpine mountains and dedicated 12 years to rock climbing, all while nurturing her passion for supporting others. Holding a degree in Counseling and Social Work, Neo has expanded her horizons into facilitating plant medicine ceremonies and community building, enriching her connection with nature. Through Trail Based Healing, she pioneers transformative experiences, guiding individuals to discover their true selves in nature's tranquil embrace.

    Read Bio

FAQs

  • We understand life has many challenges and opportunities to interrupt our plans. If have to cancel for any reason once payment is recieved, you may cancel for a full refund, less a $50 administrative fee, up until 30 days prior to the trip. After that, you may cancel for a 50% refund up until 14 days prior to the trip. Cancelations within 14 days of the trip will not be eligible for refunds.

    We recommend signing up for travel insurance, in case you need to cancel within 30 days of the trip start date due to illness, injury, or other unforeseen circumstances. Please do not attend the trip if you have tested positive for Covid-19 or other communicable disease.

    If tested positive for Covid, you will receive full credit for attendance at another Trail Based Healing Retreat.

    In the unlikely case of forest fire or other prohibitive environmental conditions, the trip location may be changed. Or, the trip may be cancelled and you would be issued a full refund or you may use the payment for a later retreat date.

  • Upon registration, we will send you a full gear packing list with links to suggestions of what types of gear to choose. There is a ton of information on REI website and many people have detailed blogs about gear.

  • This retreat is open for any self-identifed women over the age of 18. Any person who is willing and able to carry the own weight is welcome to join!

  • After registration, we will send a google for with possible dates the week before we embark on our adventure. If you cannot attend the group zoom call, a recording of the conversation will be available. Also any personal questions or concerns please feel fee to reach out via email or we can set up a phone call. I am always willing work 1-on-1.

  • We want to create a safe and sacred space for all women to feel comfortable so we ask NO alcohol or drugs be taken with us on this retreat. Thank you for respecting and honoring this aggreement.

  • There is limited parking at all trailheads and to unsure we all get there at the right times and the same location, we ask to al carpool. We will have 2 cars with 3-4 people traveling together. We are open and willing to discuss special accomidations so please email or set up a phone call.