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Mens & Womens

Yosemite Backpacking Retreat

4 days / 3 nights | September 7 - September 10 | Yosemite Wilderness, California

An experience where adventure, mindfulness and community meet everything nature has to offer in a unique backpacking expedition through Yosemite’s most pristine and majestic wilderness.

Adventure

In collaboration with Alpinistas Collective, we are excited to offer a backpacking journey through the stunning backcountry of Yosemite National Wilderness. This will be a human-powered expedition where we carry our own backpacks, food and gear.

Mindfulness

With Yosemite's grounding scenery as our backdrop, we will take part in outdoor yoga, guided meditations, reflection workshops, somatic movement and forest bathing to reconnect with our inner nature.

Community

Along with 11 other adventure-minded participants, we will prioritize connection, play, and heart-to-heart interactions. We will engage in relating games, carve out time for introspection and share our innermost thoughts with one another.

$800 per person

Includes:

  • Trained and Licensed Backpacking Guides

  • Full Service Meals + Snacks + Tea/Coffee

  • Water Filtration (this is what dreams are made of!)

  • Group Cooking Gear

  • Safety equipment (first aid supplies)

  • Personal Mess Kits

  • Yosemite Permit fees

  • Group First Aid Kit

  • 5% back to Yosemite National Park

  • Guided yoga & meditations

  • Nature-based workshops

  • Connection exercises + games

  • Pre-trip group call to review logistics

Not Included:

  • Transportation to group meeting point (Carpool options will be available)

  • Personal Backpacking Gear (Check out our packing list + gear rental sites)

  • Bear Can (REQUIRED)

  • Yosemite Entrance fee - $35 per car

  • Personal Insurance of any kind. Global Rescue is highly recommended for emergencies.

  • Guide Gratuities

*If you do not have the funds and are keen to join please email Sabena at info@opencircleretreats.com for accessible pricing options.

Meet your Trip Leaders

Sabena's journey has been one of exploration, growth, and discovery.

Sabena’s highest fulfillment lies in bringing people together to explore their inner & outer worlds. Being the daughter of Pakistani immigrants whose mother was an airline hostess, fearless travel runs deep in Sabena’s blood. She started her own international adventures at the young age of 18, and has traversed many of the world’s most challenging and extreme environments with skillful curiosity and awareness.

Between becoming a certified Yoga teacher in Kenya, backpacking around the mountains of Pakistan and Ethiopia, and dreaming up a social enterprise that brought together a community of women in Kenya, Sabena has continuously dived into the unknown, exploring her true self, and empowering others to pursue their dreams.

Sabena’s visions have since evolved into Open Circle, a space where individuals can rediscover their true nature through nature. Using her sharpened skills in personal development, she guides participants through an inner journey by tuning in to their physical bodies, using the magic of nature and the power of community.

Patrick’s ultimate dream is to inspire others to live a life of playful curiosity and meaningful connection with themselves and the world around them.

Having grown up with a father who made a career out of exploring California’s wilderness, Patrick is no stranger to adventure. He’s spent his own adult life traveling the world and wearing many different professional hats, all with an emphasis on guiding others through their own unique journeys.

Over the last decade, he’s worked as a certified Dive Master in Australia, a Yoga and Meditation guide in Asia, a luxury Trip Leader in Europe, and most recently he’s been championing others through their internal landscapes as a Joy and Self-Love Coach.

With Open Circle, Patrick is bringing his powerful blend of adventurous spirit, interpersonal acumen, physical practices, and introspective investigation to facilitate a deeply transformative experience for those who are willing to venture into their hearts, the hearts of fellow explorers, and the beating pulse of nature.

Alpinistas Collective is on a mission to empower women to discover the transformative power of the great outdoors.

With their commercial licenses and extensive training as Wilderness First Responders, these talented guides offer women the opportunity to explore a range of outdoor activities, from hiking and climbing to mountaineering and backpacking.

Open Circle Retreats is proud to partner with Alpinistas Collective for our upcoming Yosemite Backpacking Retreat. Their expertise in the Yosemite region is unmatched, and their passion for sharing the beauty and adventure of the great outdoors is truly inspiring.

Location & Trail Overview

Location

Tuolumne Meadows is a place of unparalleled natural beauty located in the high country of Yosemite National Park's Wilderness where the majesty of the Sierra Nevada mountains meets the gentle grace of alpine meadows. Crystal-clear streams, rivers and lakes meander through the landscape, offering a soothing soundtrack to the peaceful serenity of this wilderness paradise.

Trail

Our route has been carefully designed to provide a backpacking experience with a healthy level of challenge and rest. While this trail is trail is rated as moderate-hard, we have weaved in ample time for rest days and optional day hikes.

  • Day 1: Ascent to the Ten Lakes basin. 7 miles with 2,700 ft in elevation gain

  • Day 2: Optional 3-5 miles hike

  • Day 3: Optional 3-5 miles hike

  • Day 4: Descend from camp. 7 miles with 2,700 ft in elevation loss

Total: 14 miles required or up to 24 miles.

If you are unsure if you are ready for this journey, please reach out to info@opencircleretreats.com and we can have a chat :)

Fitness Levels + Skills

Our first and longest day of backpacking is 7.2 miles with 2,700 feet of elevation gain. Though this is a steady climb, we will be traveling at a leisurely pace and have the option for two rest days following the hike in.

  • Participants will be carrying their own backpacks weighing 25-35 pounds.

  • Although this trip is suitable for first-time backpackers, we strongly encourage you to participate in training beforehand to enhance your overall experience. We recommend engaging in physical activities such as hiking with a weighted pack and other exercises that increase your heart rate. We recommend exercising 2-3x a week leading up to the trip.

  • As a reminder, you are capable of SO much and this trip will empower you to feel confident in your body and ability to thrive in the backcountry.

Curious what you will need to pack?

Wondering how to rent gear?

FAQs

  • Once you register you will receive a confirmation email within 48 hours with waivers and details on how to make your payment.

    Over the following weeks as we start to get closer to our event date, you will receive additional emails confirming packing lists, itinerary details and other important or helpful supplemental information such as start time and driving directions.

  • Sierra daytime temperatures can range between 60 to 80 degrees F, with overnight lows dropping to the 40s or 50s. Afternoon thunderstorms are a distinct possibility so adequate rain gear is important.

  • YAY! Backpacking is such a special way to experience nature. We will be guiding you in what to pack, what to expect and what fitness level is required. Since this is a guided trip, it is the perfect first entry into the backcountry with a good level of challenge.

  • Amazing and welcome! Wellness, mindfulness and yoga are all practices that require no expertise and/or experience. We will be tuning into our inner nature, cultivating awareness of ourselves and the world around us.

  • There will be 11 participants as well as 2 licensed Wilderness First Responder backpacking guides and two Mindfulness + Yoga leaders, which will bring us to 15 people total.

  • For a refund request more than 60 days before the outing start date, we will refund your full amount.

    If the request is submitted less than 60 days in advance, we can offer a 50% refund.

    If the request is submitted less than 30 days in advance, we cannot offer a refund whatsoever.

    We run events in all weather.

    Travel insurance is highly recommended to anticipate last minute emergencies or life situations that may prevent you from attending the outing such as illness, work or weather. We recommend using Global Rescue insurance.

Is this right for you?

If you're here, it's probably meant to be. Still curious if this is right for you or have specific questions?

Drop us a note and we would be happy to answer any questions!