The Inner Wilderness Retreat
Recovering Awe + Wonder in Colorado’s Backcountry
August 1 – 5, 2024
Amidst the whirlwind of our busy modern lives, to disconnect is sacred salve.
We invite you to lay down the day to day urgency and noise of life for a bit and join us in re-awakening and nurturing our collective sense of awe, wonder and true connectivity.
What parts of you come alive when you rest?
How do you show up when you’re faced with challenging moments?
What might you uncover when kinship with the wild is restored?
Recover your belonging to self and land in the wild, big sky, backcountry terrain of Telluride, Colorado.
Nestled high in the mountains, our charming hike-in and off-grid eco-sanctuary sits 11,000 feet above sea level among the San Juan National Forest, offering complete immersion into this pristine and rugged landscape.
We’ll be exploring both our inner and outer wilderness through daily yoga & meditation practices, stunning hikes & nature connection, as well as through fireside laughter and contemplations under unimaginable amounts of starlight!
You’ll re-awaken to both the magic and the mystery of this human experience while also delving into sustainable recovery practices, forging meaningful relationships, and cultivating a deep sense of genuine belonging.
This is a rare opportunity to traverse wild, untouched landscapes in one of the most sought after wilderness areas in North America.
This is an invitation for women who are seeking to…
- Pause the hustle & reimagine what makes life meaningful
- Align with the rhythms of deep nature
- Reclaim more presence, freedom & choice in their lives
- Cultivate a more mindful & connected way of navigating the world
- Make meaningful connections with other women on the path of sobriety & wellbeing
- Dissolve the separate sense of self & restore connection to something greater
- Reawaken to all the awe & wonder available in the world
- Gather somatic practices & contemplative rituals to integrate into your daily life
- Experience true belonging to self, to other & to this precious, precious earth
Our journey begins with a 3 mile moderate hike to our rustic eco-sanctuary. Your bags will be transported for you.
This charming mountain cabin was intentionally chosen for its raw simplicity and remote location. We will be completely off-the-grid, relieved of cell service and wi-fi connection.
This is a rare opportunity to commune with the greater ecology, free from the incessant noise of our modern world. Immerse your senses in the rugged healing medicine of the ancient mountain ranges and vast starlit skies.
Having experienced profound shifts as a result of her decision to get sober in 2013, Mary is passionate about helping others find freedom from addiction so they can live fulfilling lives substance-free. She is a strong believer in the power of community and enjoys bringing people together through her online membership community and wellness retreats. She also hosts the Sun & Moon Sober Living Podcast.
Mary recently settled back in the mountains of Colorado after nearly a decade teaching internationally, while living in Southeast Asia and hosting retreats across the globe.
Cole has been a seeker all her life. It has brought her to the depths of addiction, to all corners of the world, to the path of yoga and most importantly, back to her self. Through her practices, she’s begun to unravel and explore the most intriguing of all landscapes – the inner one.
She is a trauma-informed yoga teacher and addiction recovery educator who teaches in many capacities from international retreats and teacher trainings, to rehabs and prisons.
She believes in utilizing curiosity and intellect, both mental and somatic, to peel back the many layers of self in the journey to remembering wholeness. She weaves yogic and Buddhist philosophy, neuroscience and psychological insights on a bedrock of a compassionate and playful curiosity.
- 4-nights accommodation in shared room with twin bed
- 3 nutritious & colorful meals a day prepared by a private chef
- Daily hiking in the San Juan Mountains
- Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
- Recovery Workshops
- Authentic Relating + Eco-Inquiry
- River-fed hot tub & cold plunge
- Wood-fired sauna
Not Included:
- International transportation
- Transportation to our meeting spot in Telluride
- Sleeping bag, headlamp, flashlight and hiking/wilderness gear
Typical Day on Retreat
6:45 | Sunrise Somatic Movement + Meditation
7:30 | Light Breakfast in Silence
8:00 | Hiking + Eco-Inquiry
12:30 | Lunch
1:30 | Relax, Hot Tub, Cold Plunge, Sauna, etc.
4:00 | Recovery Workshop
5:30 | Yoga (Slow Flow or Yin) + Meditation
7:00 | Dinner
8:00 | Satsang, Fire + Starlight (Community Sharing Circle)
INVESTMENT
$2,450 for 5 days, 4 nights
DISCLAIMER: This retreat is not a replacement to therapy or treatment for addiction. We ask that participants have a minimum of 30 days of sobriety before the retreat begins. Please reach out before booking if there are any questions or concerns to determine if this retreat is right for you.
FAQs
How strenuous are the hikes?
There is an intermediate 3 mile hike with a 1,000 foot elevation gain to get to the hut. Your bags and any luggage will be transported by a porter service.
Our hikes during the retreat will be intermediate to mildly challenging with plenty of opportunities to rest if needed.
We are planning to have 2 days that include more hiking (3-5 hours) and 1 day that is more loungey!
If you are not used to the altitude, it’s recommended to come into town a day or two prior to the start of the retreat to give yourself time to acclimatize, and prioritize your health by drinking plenty of water beforehand.
What do I need to bring?
- Sleeping bag, bottom sheet, and pillowcase (mattress cover provided)
- Swimwear/towel
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Diverse range of clothing (mountain weather fluctuates A LOT – summer temps can be from 20-75F)
- We will have solar showers and bath towels at the cabin. Biodegradable soap & shampoo will also be provided. We ask that you please be mindful of the environment when packing additional toiletries, and ensure they are eco-friendly.
- Hiking shoes/boots (break them in first – we don’t recommend bringing a fresh pair)
- Water bottle or water bladder/hydration reservoir
- Earplugs + eye mask for sleeping
- Bug spray, sunscreen, lip balm
- Journals + pens
How do I get to Telluride?
Here are various ways to get to Telluride…..(Note: Transportation is not included until we meet in Telluride)
- Flying into Telluride (TEX) – (Definitely the quickest option, but there are not many flights…you’d have to hit the dates right!)
- Direct Shuttle/Bus: There are several shuttle services that operate between Telluride Airport and the town or nearby lodges. The airport is 10 minutes from Telluride center.
- Flying into Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) – (Best option!)
- Shuttle/Bus Services: A number of shuttle and bus services provide transportation between Montrose Airport and Telluride. This is roughly a 1.5-hour drive.
- Car Rental: There are several rental agencies at the airport.
- Private Car Service: As with Telluride Airport, private car services are available and can be booked in advance.
- Carpooling: This will likely be the best spot to carpool from! Let us know your plans & we’ll create a WhatsApp group for those wanting to link up and carpool!
- Flying into Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO)
- Shuttle/Bus Services: Durango is further from Telluride compared to Montrose, but there are still shuttle services that can take you from Durango to Telluride. The drive is roughly 2.5 hours
- Car Rental: You can rent a car from Durango and make the drive to Telluride. The scenic drive is longer but can be a lovely addition to your experience.
- By Car
- Driving from Nearby Cities: If guests are already in Colorado or neighboring states, they may choose to drive to Telluride. The drive from cities like Denver is scenic but can be long (6-7 hours).
Please email us your travel plans + we will do our best to help y’all coordinate!
Where/when will we meet in Telluride?
We will meet at 10 am on August 1st in downtown Telluride. Specific details about our meeting location will be sent out by email one month prior. We’ll grab breakfast, get acquainted, do a gear check + gather any last minute supplies people need. We’ll start the hike up to our lodge in the hills at 12 pm.
Is there a payment plan?
How far along do I need to be in my sobriety?
Please come with at least 30 days of continual sobriety.
Also note that is not rehab nor therapy and in this environment we are not able to provide that extra level of personal support.
What if I am not in “recovery”?
Our philosophy is that addiction and attachment are both part of the human experience. In that case, we all are recovering from something.
The wild journey of life comes with all kinds of joy and beauty of course, but also trauma, insecurity and confusion. On the bumpy ride we also lose bits and pieces of self along the way. AND, in knowing that, we all have the capacity to uncover and rediscover our innate wholeness. If that sounds resonate, then you belong here!
This retreat will have recovery themes woven through it that are applicable to all humans.