This 8-day retreat is geared for any adult who wants to deepen their understanding of the Theology of the Body while participating in a backpacking adventure on the Kesugi Ridge Trail in Alaska’s Denali State Park. The beautiful terrain is both challenging and rewarding, a parallel to the content of this teaching and an analogy of what we face in everyday life. This retreat will be led by Jen Messing but fueled by participants’ questions and God’s promptings through our natural surroundings.

GETTING OUTSIDE…
Getting out into the original Cathedral of the outdoors and away from electronics allows time to chew on discussion topics and space to be with God. Each day we will cover approximately 7 – 10 miles; the level of hiking difficulty will vary from moderate to strenuous, but we will always be carrying the weight of our backpacks and the weather will change regularly. The checklist will give you a more detailed explanation of what that means for packing, but each participant will need to have a conversation with Jen before registering. This will ensure that you are prepared and we are all on the same wavelength!

RETREAT ELEMENTS…
Due to the many daily factors that are unpredictable about a backpacking trip, know that this is not a perfectly structured retreat. Topics, discussions, personal prayer time, Mass and Eucharistic Adoration will be woven into each day – but the timing will vary and sometimes must be discerned as it unfolds. We ask you to leave your watch at home and receive all that the Lord has for you during this retreat!

Please do not bring electronic devices (including Smart Watches); we want you to experience the great outdoors and the great people around you without distraction! Storing them in the van is not ideal due to varying temps and they cannot go with us (added weight + too delicate). If you need to bring your cell phone during your travel to meet the group, it can be stored at the Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage (our lodging before and after hiking). 

NOTE: connectivity in this area is erratic or nonexistent so leaders will have special devices for emergency.  A group camera will be available if your usual camera option is your phone.

TRANSPORTATION & TIMING…
Due to the details involved with a backpacking trip and the very unique flight times for arrival to and departure from Anchorage (ANC), we will need to talk one-on-one about the flights you plan to use.  Our goal is to congregate on Saturday, July 1 in order to organize our packs together (see lodging notes below).  For those that arrive early, we will take a drive down Turnagain Arm to Portage Lake. On Sunday July 2 we will have mass together and then drive to Denali State Park and camp in a normal campground, departing for our backpacking portion on Monday morning.  We will return to Anchorage late in the afternoon on Friday July 7.

CAMPING & MEALS…
 We will be utilizing Holy Spirit Center in Anchorage for lodging on Saturday July 1 and Friday July 7, with the option to arrive on Friday night (June 30). 

These trips are designed to be “family style” in that we share daily “chores” (meal prep, clean up, etc.), we wait for one another, and we share tent space.  NOTE: Men and women will be in separate tents (please indicate if you are a married couple so we can arrange enough tents).

Meals will be planned and provided from Saturday July 1 lunch to Saturday July 8 breakfast. We can accommodate most allergies or sensitivities but please have a direct conversation with us when you first register.

QUESTIONS?
Please read the trip checklist carefully first, then feel free to call or email us! We look forward to meeting you soon!