Laura will be applying for the permit on March 21st. We will know THAT day if we have obtained the permit. Once the official dates are locked in, you will be notified so you can request work off and start making arrangements. If for some reason the permit dates do not get approved, we will send out follow up dates or issue you a refund of your non-refundable if you cannot do the different dates. 

On most trips you will carry somewhere around 30-35 lbs but it’s possible to decrease your weight by cutting out luxuries, purchasing gear with multiple functions, and sharing some equipment with a friend. The night before the trip begins we will gather in the hotel and have a packing party so we can taper down extra weight and ensure you’re comfortable with packing your pack.

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It is required that you train before the trip with a weighted pack to ensure you are capable of carrying it. *Day 1 of the trip should NOT be the first time you put your weighted pack on!* 

As long as you are medically cleared to do so, You CAN do this, but you must prepare. As a participant of this trip you will have access to my entire Virtual Library of exercises specifically for hiking. It is your responsibility to be prepared so you can enjoy your trip. Walk, jog, hike, bike, whatever gets you moving, lifting, and strengthening! This is not a solo hiker trip. It’s important for the entire group that you prepare adequately.

We will all sleep in tents and use sleeping pads and sleeping bags for comfort. Your sleep system set up will be covered in the video library but no matter what your set up is, you are still sleeping in a tent on a sleeping pad. It may not be the most comfortable way you’ve ever slept, but it will be the most peaceful and beautiful! The night before the trip we will all stay in shared rooms at a hotel. 

Outside! Some campgrounds have “pit toilets” (think outhouses) but you must come prepared to go to the bathroom outside. In the video library it discusses in length how to properly squat as well as some of Laura’s favorite tools to make going to the bathroom easy and hygienic. We highly recommend you practice this before the trip if possible. If you have the proper “tools” it’s really not as bad as you might think!

Generally backpackers eat protein bars, trail mix, and other prepackaged snacks along with dehydrated meals. In the video library Laura will discuss the many food options and how to plan for enough food on the trip (but not too much 'cuz you don’t wanna carry it around for no reason!). And how to ALWAYS leave room for chocolate!

In the video library Laura will talk about one of the biggest things that overwhelms people--GEAR! But don’t worry, we will go into detail on what you need to have and give you options for either renting almost all of your gear (or the bigger ticket items at least) and/or finding good discounts on the gear you’ll need. The great thing about going with a badass girl gang is that we can share things and lighten our loads. Work smarter, not harder!

There is generally very poor cell service in the backcountry. While there is a chance your phone will work, it’s best to leave the itinerary with a loved one and not expect to talk with them until finishing your trip. Your loved ones will be able to “follow along” by using a link shared by Laura for her GPS tracker, something that can also be used for any emergencies or necessary contact.

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​DISCONNECTION is a beautiful thing. It brings clarity and freedom even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Lean into it and be technology-free for a few days! 

September in Olympic National is generally really beautiful! During the day it reaches a sunny 60 degrees and in the evening it drops to around the 50s.

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Being so close to a rainforest, we prepare for some rain just to be safe! 

Yes, any time we adventure we are taking some calculated risks. Injuries, weather, and other unforeseen issues can arrive. Your guides have been trained to deal with these issues and will do all they can to prepare you to deal with whatever comes your way. We backpack as a team and support one another along the trip to ensure the least exposure to danger or problems possible.

If you’ve read this far and are still reading, then you’re obviously interested. If you have a zillion reasons why you can’t and shouldn’t do this, yet still find yourself reading…..then YES, THIS IS FOR YOU. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never camped or hiked before, it doesn’t matter if no one thinks you could do it, it doesn’t matter if it’s hard. It matters if you WANT to do it. If you do, then drop the excuses and lets frickin' go!