Summit Sisters:

Broken Top & Green Lakes, OR

Sep 26-28th, 2025

This All-Inclusive Healing Adventure is for Women in the Helping Professions

This 3-day backpacking retreat is designed specifically for women-identified helpers and healers—therapists, nurses, social workers, teachers, caregivers, coaches—who are ready to heal deeply, connect intentionally, and rise fully. Set in nature’s sanctuary, this experience blends the physical challenge of backpacking with soulful practices that nurture your body, mind, and spirit.

What’s Included:

✨ A fully guided backcountry experience with a thoughtfully crafted itinerary
🥗 3 nourishing meals a day — gluten & dairy free friendly
🎒 Need gear? Major items are available to rent — just bring your clothes, your courage, and an open heart.
💻 Pre-trip Zoom prep call + Packing 101 to ease your nerves and get you trail-ready
🌺 Five powerful healing practices: from breathwork and grounding meditations to fire ceremonies, water prayers, and more…

Weekend Overview:

This retreat is designed for women ready to step into their power through adventure, challenge, and soulful connection:

  • Day 1: Hike ~4.5 miles into the Three Sisters Wilderness to set up camp near Green Lakes, with stunning views of Broken Top and South Sister. In the evening, we’ll gather for a fire ceremony to open the circle and set intentions for your personal summit—both literal and metaphorical.

  • Day 2: Embark on an optional summit push toward Broken Top or explore the high alpine trails (total ~3 miles round trip, with 2,500ft. elevation gain). We’ll return to camp for well-earned rest, solo reflection, and an evening sharing circle to process insights from the climb.

  • Day 3: We’ll close with a cacao ceremony, pack up camp, and hike ~4.5 miles back out—carrying the powerful energy of your summit into daily life.

Healing Focus: Spirit – Integration & Empowerment

The Spirit element calls us to:
✨ Integrate the lessons from both struggle and triumph.
✨ Celebrate your resilience and capacity to rise.
✨ Align with your highest self and deepest purpose.

This retreat blends beginner-friendly mountaineering, deep inner work, and sisterhood support—guiding you to meet your edges and return stronger, clearer, and more empowered than before.

Is This for You?

✅ New to the outdoors? No problem—this retreat is beginner-friendly.
✅ Already familiar with the trail? You’re welcome here too.
✅ Feeling the call to recalibrate, restore, and reconnect to your deeper self? This space is designed for women who are dedicated to serving others—and are ready to reclaim care for themselves.

Come as you are. Leave lighter, stronger, and more connected.

Overview of our Journey

  • Where

    Green Lakes Trailhead: Three Sisiters Wilderness, OR

  • Duration

    3 Days & 2 Nights Sep 26-28th

  • Group Size

    Up to 6 Hikers 1 Trail Guide

  • Activity Level

    12.3 miles total ~3,674 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 $444-$888

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 22nd and receive 15% 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 plus a little bonus gift. Shared healing is powerful, and community makes the experience even richer.

This Adventure 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 yet not required 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 8am (address will be sent after registration)

    Leave Portland by 9am

    One stop in Bend, Or if need break or last minute shopping.

    Drive to Green Lakes Trailhead (~3 hour drive)

    Grounding and setting expectation circle

    Start Our adventure

    4 Miles to First Camp!

    Water Prayer

  • Morning Cacao & Mediation

    Hike ~2 miles to Summit Broken Top Mountain and back to camp

    Fire Ceremony (If permitted)

  • Morning mediation and stretching

    Hike 4 miles back to car

    Gratitude and Closing Circle

    Drive 3 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 Broken Top Trail offers a spectacular and adventurous route that takes hikers through the stunning landscapes of the Cascade Range in central Oregon. Broken Top is an entry level alpine rock climb. The Northwest ridge is the easiest route. It is typically an 8-10 hour day. The climb is 90% hiking then scrambling. A 12' ledge rock climb and exposed traverse lead to the summit. The ability to belay / rappel is necessary for the brief but exposed rock climb and descent.

Trail Difficulty: The trail is approximately 12.3 miles round trip, making it suitable for hikers of all skill levels. With 3,674’ elevation gain overall makes this trail perfect for taking your skills to the next level.

Trail Access: The trailhead is located off Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway.

Permits and Regulations: A free and self issued wilderness pass are located at the trailhead. We have already acquired the wilderness passes for this hike. Additionally, hikers are asked to follow Leave No Trace principles and respect the natural environment.

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 form 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 to work 1-on-1.

  • We want to cret a safe and sacred space for al wome to feel comfortable so we ask NO alcohol or drugs be taken with us on this retreat.

  • There is limited parking at all trailheads and to unsure we all get there at the right times and the same location, we will carpool. There will be 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.