BACPACKING
The Eno
April 24-26, 2-26 | Durham, NC
Intro to backpacking | Beginner friendly
FIND YOUR FREEDOM
ONE STEP AT A TIME.
Backpacking doesnāt have to be intimidating - it can be empowering, freeing, and unforgettable. On this retreat, youāll learn everything you need to know to take your first steps into the backcountry with confidence.
Weāll cover the essentials: how to pack your bag, set up camp, stay safe on the trail, and navigate with ease. But more than that, youāll experience the deep joy of slowing down, carrying only what you need, and finding strength you didnāt know you had.
Hereās whatās to expect:
Guided Instruction ā An experienced trail guide will teach you backpacking basics in a supportive, beginner-friendly way.
Hands-On Practice ā From packing your pack to building a fire, youāll try it all.
Connection + Community ā Laugh, learn, and share stories around the campfire with women who are right there with you.
Challenge + Confidence ā Step out of your comfort zone and discover how capable you truly are.
Who Itās For
This retreat is for women+ who want to dip their toes into backpacking without the pressure of āgetting it perfect.ā Whether youāve never camped before or youāre curious about trying longer trails, this is your place to start.
Why Join?
Because the trail has a way of teaching us what weāre made of. And when youāre supported by a pack of SheWolves, youāll not only learn the skills, youāll leave with memories, friendships, and a new sense of power that lasts long after the hike is over.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
Interested in being a sponsor?
To keep our retreats intimate, impactful, and unforgettable, we accept a limited number of aligned sponsors for each experience. If your brand shares our valuesācommunity, empowerment, and a little wild freedomāweād love to explore how we can partner. Fill out the form below to tell us more. Letās create something powerful together.
What to Pack:
Clothing (Bring Exactly This):
1 sun shirt Ā· 2 moisture-wicking tanks/tees Ā· 1 pair shorts Ā· 1 swimsuit Ā· 1 sports bra Ā· 2 undies Ā· 3 socks Ā· 1 leggings/sleep base layer Ā· 1 fleece/light jacket Ā· 1 wool/synthetic base layer Ā· sun hat Ā· beanie Ā· hiking boots or trail shoes Ā· lightweight camp shoes
Gear (Rent or Buy):
Backpack (40ā60L), tent, sleeping bag (20ā30°), sleeping pad, headlamp + batteries, packable towel, trekking poles (optional).
š We recommend rentals through REI Co-op Rentals or Kit Lender.
Food + Kitchen:
Group meals/snacks provided (youāll carry ~5 lbs of community food). Bring reusable bowl, mug, and spork.
Personal Essentials:
Sunscreen, lip balm, bug spray, toothbrush, small first aid kit, hand sanitizer, pack towel/bandana.
Optional Fun:
Trail journal, cards, book, lightweight camera.
Donāt Bring: Cotton clothing, glass bottles, full-size toiletries, heavy electronics, valuables.
What to Expect
Privvys: Rustic outhouses at camp.
Trails: Flat, beginner-friendly paths, no big climbs.
River Time: Jump into the Eno!
Campsites: Group sites in the woods, only reachable by foot.
Shared Load: Everyone carries part of the community food (~5 lbs).
Pack Vibes: Campfires, connection, courage, and laughs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Nope! This retreat is designed for beginners. If you can walk a few miles and carry 25 lbs, youāre good.
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We will give you gear rental resources, source from our community for anyone that has extras, and we are partnering with some local shops to give us discounts and a private shopping experience.
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Weāll provide group meals and snacks. Let us know about any dietary restrictions and weāll make sure youāre taken care of.
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Expect moderate hiking (2ā4 miles at a time) with breaks and support. Itās more about learning and trying than pushing your limits.
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Absolutely. Many SheWolves come solo and leave with new friends.
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Weāll go rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe. If needed, weāll adjust the plan to keep everyone safe and comfortable.
RETREAT PRICING
EARLY BIRD PRICING
COMING SOON
REGULAR PRICING
COMING SOON
A Note from Jordan, Our Founder:
Why I love backpacking? Because itās the simplest kind of freedom I know.
Out there, the only thing you have to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other. No one asking for snacks. No inbox calling your name. No phone buzzing with things that canāt wait.
Itās just you and the trail. Breathing in the air. Feeling your body carry you forward. Realizing youāre capable of so much more than the world usually gives you credit for.
I went for the first time with our guide, Maria, who has hiked the PCT, the AT, and countless other incredible trails end to end. I joined her for just a few days and immediately said HOWL YES to this. Even during the rocky sections, when the bottoms of my feet ached from balancing every step, I still thought: damn, this is awesome.
Later, I went into the Beartooths with guides, a womenās group, and my dear friend, Sheryl - the powerhouse behind Dare to Detour. And again, I found myself saying: DAMN, this is awesome. Thereās something about being out there in the wilderness, just with women, that feels electric.
Thatās the gift of backpacking - it strips away the noise until all thatās left is presence. Step by step. Breath by breath. And when you do it with a pack of women who cheer you on? Thatās when the magic really happens.
HAVE
QUESTIONS?
Iām here for you