The 100 mile Wilderness - 7 day section hike
Hiking | Yoga | Writing
Considered one of the wildest sections of the Appalachian Trail, the 100 Mile Wilderness spans from Monson to Millinocket, ME. On this 7-day trek led by two experienced guides, you’ll section hike across 52 miles of wild lakes, sweeping mountain views, mossy forests, and remote, rugged terrain. Summit Whitecap Mountain, dip in freezing lakes, watch for shooting stars, and enjoy the raucous laughter and company of new friends. You might even witness trail magic, or a moose sighting! With time built in for guided yoga and writing sessions to deepen your experience, each night you’ll feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from pushing your body, mind, and spirit in the wilderness.
This trip is for backpacking enthusiasts who want to safely increase their level of challenge in a supportive environment, and creative folks who are interested in exploring writing as a tool for reflection, expression, and compelling outdoor storytelling.
REGISTER TODAY!
Details:
Dates: 9/1/23 (evening arrival) - 9/8/23 (early afternoon departure)
Who: Limited to 8 people, must be active and able to hike 5-13 miles a day with a 35 lb. backpack in various weather conditions. Must have minimum 4 participants to run.
Cost: $2,100 (includes all meals), financial assistance available on a need-basis.
Where: A 52mile stretch of the 100 mile Wilderness in Maine.
Included with registering:
Personalized training plan
Review of gear with trip guides
Q&A support session prior to departure
Facebook page community
Full trip itinerary ( Day-to-day milage, meals cooked for you, snacks, campsites, etc.) planned by two experienced wilderness guides
Guided outdoor yoga
Backcountry writing sessions with a professional outdoor writer
Trip Highlights
Explore a section of remote Maine woods within the comfort of a group setting
Challenge yourself physically and mentally while gaining next-level backpacking skills from two experienced guides
Gain authentic connections with new friends
Develop your outdoor writing skills through guided sessions with a professional outdoor writer
Swim in pristine lakes and refresh after a warm day in the mountains
Summit Whitecap Mountain and experience one of the most incredible views in Maine
Explore Gulf Hagas on your own time
Practice Yin Yoga and relax your body and mind after a long day of hiking
Feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day!
A day on the trail…
Approach your mornings however you need--wake up early for the sunrise, or sleep in until breakfast at 6:30am. Our days will start slow with a cup of tea or coffee and a chance to appreciate the morning light through the trees, followed by an optional yoga session to get our bodies ready for hiking. We will then eat breakfast together and pack our bags to begin our daily adventure.
By 7:30 we will be on the trail. We will stop at several spots along the way to enjoy tasty snacks and eat lunch. While our days are full of hiking, we’ll also spend time exploring the unique land features along the trail and taking advantage of any swimming opportunities! Our campsites are rustic, often featuring lean-tos and natural water sources. Once we arrive, we will stretch as a group, set up tents, and relax on our own or enjoy an optional writing session. Guides will prepare dinner and we will gather to eat a well-deserved meal, drink herbal tea and hot cocoa, and connect with our fellow hikers. Who knows, maybe a bag of marshmallows and chocolate or a bottle of wine made its way into the group gear??
Average daily distances range anywhere from 5-13 miles, with one three-mile “rest day” built in for writing, reading, yoga, relaxing, swimming, and whatever else your heart desires. We’ll camp in a new site each night. By the end of the trip, you’ll have a mastery of camp craft and an arsenal of new backpacking skills and knowledge!
Your Guides
A Registered Maine Guide and Wilderness First Responder, Chloë has hiked extensively throughout the world including a solo thru-hike of the 2,191mile Appalachian Trail in 2018. She is a Vinyasa and Yin Yoga Teacher, Waterfront Lifeguard, ServSafe Certified Food Protection Manager and has led adventures for the past sixteen years. Chloë has hiked this 100mi section of trail so many times she can walk you through each mile from memory! Outside of hiking, Chloë is the Executive Director of Growing Routes, a Maine-based nonprofit that provides small-group explorations aimed at nurturing confidence, creativity, and compassion. Chloë is also a co-owner and athlete on Portland Rising, Maine’s first professional Ultimate Frisbee team.
Jenny’s twelve years as an outdoor guide have brought her all over the world leading backpacking, sea kayaking, cultural exchange, and river rafting trips from the Peruvian Andes to the wild waters of her home state of Maine. She is a registered Maine raft guide and a Wilderness First Responder, and never leaves home without a pair of neon adventure pants and a waterproof ukulele. Jenny’s outdoor writing can be found in Maine Magazine, Backcountry, Appalachia, and other publications, and she teaches creative writing to youth and adults in Portland, Maine. She is currently hard at work on Finding Petronella, her debut book about her 2014 solo trek across Finland following the footsteps of a female legend beyond the Arctic Circle.
Testimonials…
“As a beginning backpacker, a middle-aged woman, a writer looking for her voice, I carried a long list of fears and doubts into the woods. Step after step, day after day, as Jenny and Chloe guided us through the wilderness, I learned about backcountry safety, about trees and moss, finding joy in the rain, and about myself. Their experienced leadership, creativity, and humanity—not to mention their ability to throw surprise parties in the middle of the woods—can not be matched. I came out of the woods confident, strong, and whole, with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.”
“I have never felt so inspired, held, pushed, awed, and joyous. I felt like I was just radiating during and after and am still feeling the magic held deep in my heart.”
“This part of Maine never disappoints. I felt safe and supported. Our guides were confident and fun. Everything was perfectly planned.”
