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ENCHANTED VALLEY

BACKPACKING TRIP

SEPTEMBER 14-19, 2022 
OLYPMIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON
 

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A BREATHTAKING ADVENTURE AWAITS YOU . . . 

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WHAT TO EXPECT

THE VIEWS AND LANDSCAPE LIVE UP TO THE NAME... 

Enchanted Valley is located in the Quinault Rainforest of Washington and lives up to its name. It’s one of the rare trails that takes you deep into the rainforest with very little elevation gain. 

 

On this 5 day, 4 night backpacking trip we will wind through ancient, old growth forests until we arrive at Enchanted Valley which locals commonly refer to as “the valley of 10,000 waterfalls.”

 

This trip is perfect for beginners (with an option for a day of strenuous activity for those wanting a challenge) as the trail is rated easy/moderate due to the trail being mostly flat. You'll have one day off to enjoy the pristine valley and soak in the beauty with an option to climb Anderson Pass (strenuous) to view the Anderson Glacier (which is now melted but has left behind stunning mountain peaks).

 

Soak in some of the most interesting and diverse terrain and feel like you are truly in a fairyland on this Unladylike Adventure! (Don’t tell the other national parks but this is Laura’s favorite one so far because of this stunning and TRULY Enchanted Valley!)

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ACTIVITY LEVEL

This trip is rated moderate. Participants will carry 30-35lb backpacks over lightly rolling hills and flat, stable terrain. The trip offers a day off at Enchanted Valley to relax and enjoy the countless waterfalls in the valley.

 

This trip is well suited for beginners but can be enjoyed by all levels!

 

There is an optional intense/strenuous climb to see Anderson pass and the remains of Anderson Glacier. You can’t go wrong with either option but if you choose to summit Anderson Pass you should be ready to climb (without your backpack!) 5 miles and do a total of 10 miles in one day.

 

*There are a few narrow bridge crossings over creeks and rivers

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NOT INCLUDED

  • Transportation

  • All gear, rental or purchased, as well as personal clothing and supplies

  • Flights and additional transportation beyond the trip's dates

  • Food, snacks, and drinks

  • Hotel stay upon completion of trip

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Explore a RAINFOREST!

  • Breathtaking views at Enchanted valley….. so may waterfalls you can’t count them!

  • Enjoy wildlife sightings, especially elk!

  • Jaw-dropping autumn colors changing

  • Build all the skills and knowledge to be a backpacker with the confidence to explore on your own

  • Designed for women and led by women

  • Community, fun, and laughter!

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WHAT'S INCLUDED​

  • One night shared hotel stay at the Quinault Lake Lodge the night before we begin

  • Packing party at the hotel the night before we begin

  • Celebratory dinner at Quinault Lodge the night before the trip begins

  • Detailed map planning and preparation for the entire trip

  • All permits and park fees

  • GPS tracking so loved ones can follow along for the entire trip

  • Virtual library with exercises and training plans to prepare for the trip

  • 3 Zoom sessions and extensive video library detailing gear, packing, food, water, staying found and more!

  • One 1:1 call with Laura to receive personalized support

  • Knowledge, confidence, and experience to plan your own future backpacking trips!

  • Stargazing in a valley that rivals the beauty of Switzerland's mountains!

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"Going into the trip, I felt unsure of what my body could handle physically with just recovering from two knee replacements. 

After completing this trip, those uncertainties are gone. I now feel an incredible sense of pride in what we accomplished with our backpacking trip and know that I AM CAPABLE of tackling tasks that I once thought to be impossible. ⁠

Instead of second guessing myself, I have a new desire to be active outdoors and experience more adventures in beautifully challenging locations.

 

MICHELLE B.

TRIP ITINERARY

SEPTEMBER 14-19, 2022

DAY 1

  • Meet at Quinault Lake to stay the night (2.5 hour drive from Seattle Airport) and have packing party and celebratory dinner at Quinault Lodge

DAY 4

DAILY MILEAGE: OPTIONAL

  • Relax at Enchanted Valley or hike out and back to Anderson Glacier (10 miles round trip)

    Head the rest of the way to Indian Garden campground where we are sure to have plenty of deer sightings and maybe even a fawn!

  • Camp for the night and enjoy the cottonwood trees and the creek that runs through the campground 

DAY 2

  • Drive to Graves Trailhead (1.5 hours) and backpack to O'Neil Campground

DAY 5

DAILY MILEAGE: 12.5

  • Hike out and celebrate!! Drive back to airport (3.5 hours to Seattle) or continue adventuring!

DAY 3

  • Backpack to Enchanted Valley

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"I went on the retreat and learned that I am capable of so much more than I ever allowed myself to think I could be. 

I made fast friends with strangers, helped set up a campsite, slept in a tent for three nights, peed basically on the edge of a mountain, and climbed a fucking cliff face multiple times. 

This retreat and the women I met have changed the course of my life forever!!"

GRACE N.

TO CONSIDER AS YOU REGISTER

AIRLINE TICKETS

Please be sure to WAIT to purchase flights until we have the retreat date set and the minimum amount of participants required to host the trip.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

To protect your travel investment, we highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance.

COMMITMENT TO TRAINING

To ensure an amazing and rewarding trip you must be committed to preparing physically as well as mentally to take on the adventure. Laura will equip you with everything you need to know but you must make it a priority to show up and do the prep! 

A NOTE ON PERMITS

Note that all dates are pending due to permits and all trips must receive a certain number of participants in order for the trip to run. 

 

If the trip gets cancelled due to either of these reasons, a full refund (minus a 15% processing fee) will be given at the time of cancellation. See FAQ section for more details.

COVID 19

Although we take precautions seriously, Unladylike Adventures does NOT monitor vaccination status of participants. Participants share hotel rooms the night before all trips. If you aren’t comfortable not knowing your roommate's vaccination status then you must contact Laura and pay an upgraded fee for a private hotel room. We highly recommend taking a test before traveling regardless of vaccination status.

REFUNDS

When signing your retreat agreement, please be sure to THOROUGHLY read through the refund policy. 

We adhere strictly to this policy and will not be issuing refunds apart from what the policy states.

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MEET YOUR BACKPACKING GUIDES

MEET LAURA

Laura is an avid backpacker and rock climber who loves bringing more adventure and fun into people’s lives.

She is a personal trainer and Certified Wilderness First Responder and is constantly expanding her knowledge of safety and navigation in the outdoors.

She loves pole dancing, being covered in dirt, and singing Queen at the top of her lungs.

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MEET HEATHER

Heather is happiest in the woods, hiking in the Colorado foothills, and gasping for air on 14,000 foot summits with Laura.

As a retreat coordinator, community organizer, and communications specialist she has a passion for bringing people together. She loves her two children dearly, even though they REFUSE to hike with her.

Heather is CPR and First Aid Certified by the American Heart Association and has a Wilderness First Aid certificate.

OF ALL THE PATHS IN LIFE, MAKE SURE A FEW OF THEM ARE DIRT.

JOHN MUIR

YOUR INVESTMENT IS $1150

**YOUR SPACE AT THIS RETREAT IS RESERVED WITH A NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE DEPOSIT OF $350.**

PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE!

ONLY 10 SPOTS! CLAIM YOURS ASAP.

FAQS

WHAT DOES PERMIT PENDING MEAN?

Laura will be applying for the permit on  March 14th. 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. 

HOW MUCH WEIGHT DO WE HAVE TO CARRY?

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.

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!* 

HOW CAN I PHYSICALLY GET INTO SHAPE IN ORDER TO BACKPACK?

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.

WHERE WILL I SLEEP?

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. 

UM... WHERE WILL I GO TO THE BATHROOM?

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!

WHAT WILL I EAT?

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!

HOW WILL I KNOW WHAT GEAR TO BRING?

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!

WILL I HAVE WIFI OR BE ABLE TO CONTACT LOVED ONES?

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.

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! 

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

Weather in the Enchanted Valley in September is beautiful and warm, with the highs being near 60 degrees and lows in the 40’s.

We are technically in the rainforest so PREPARE FOR RAIN! 

While we obviously cannot predict weather, Laura will do her best to prepare you with layers and options so as weather changes you can adjust. If for some reason the weather is dangerous in any way, the trip will be cancelled, and your payments will go directly towards a rescheduled date.  

IS THIS DANGEROUS?

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.

I'VE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE... IS THIS FOR ME?

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! 

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