Dates: Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1, 2026
Space is limited to 8 participants. 
All experience levels are welcome. Physical preparation is expected. 
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent. 

Location: Otter Creek Wilderness, West Virginia

Cost: $320/person 
Payment plans or limited reduced rates may be available by inquiry based on need. Please ask.

Contact:
Megan Shelly bewilderpgh@gmail.com

Details: 
We are excited to guide you on this contemplative backpacking trip to the Otter Creek Wilderness Area of West Virginia. We will be carrying all our gear, camping in tents, filtering water, and practicing Leave No Trace ethics for all waste and physical impact.

This 3-day trip departs early from Pittsburgh on Friday morning and returns Sunday evening. Please plan accordingly, before registering. The trip will cover a total of approximately 20-25 miles, adapting the route to fit our group. We customize each trip based on participants experience, terrain, and other conditions such as water and campsite accessibility. 

As we develop a contemplative practice for the weekend, remember that it's a "practice". You can expect something to read or a podcast to listen to prior to the trip. We will offer prompts, and liturgies as guideposts for reflection. We will spend some time in silence, some in conversation and reflection. 

Breakfasts and dinners are provided. Participants provide their own lunch & snacks.  We will help you with ideas! 

Gear is not provided, but we will help you find what you need. We partner with 3 Rivers Outdoor Company to provide gear consultations. We recommend that you visit the shop for purchases. They have a fantastic and knowledgeable staff ready to assist you!

Participants are responsible for their own transportation. We make every attempt to coordinate transportation among leaders and participants, but it is not guaranteed. 

MANDATORY PRE-TRIP ORIENTATION -- the meeting where you learn all about the trip!
Thursday, September 17 @7pm
Location: TBD

MANDATORY GEAR CHECK -- the meeting where we double check ALL your gear!
Sunday October 25, 2pm-5pm 
Location: Megan's house - RSVP for address

If you cannot attend the pre-trip meetings, please contact Megan (bewilderpgh@gmail.com) for alternative arrangements. 

Olympic National Park: Hoh River Trail

Please register June 30.

Mandatory Pre-Trip Orientation July 14, 7pm-9pm
RSVP or register for details.

Dates: Friday, September 25 to Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Space is limited. (max of 9 / min of 5)
Some backpacking experience is recommended. Physical preparation is expected. 

Location: Olympic National Park, Hoh River Trail

Cost: $1285 when you register by June 30
(Cost increases to $1425 for registration after July 1.)
Payment plans can be arranged based on need. A very limited number of reduced rates may be available.

Making this trip a reality depends on us reaching a core of 5 full-rate participants by June 30th.
To ensure we can provide everything planned, we can only offer a few minimal discounts.
We’d love for you to be part of the core group that makes this happen!

Contact:
Megan Shelly bewilderpgh@gmail.com
Co-leaders: John Creasy, Chris Brown, Megan Shelly

In partnership with John Creasy of Wild Indigo Guild and Christopher Brown of Still Mountain Coaching and Spiritual Direction, we are headed to the west coast for contemplative backpacking in Olympic National Forest.

John, Chris, and Megan have been friends and colleagues for over 20 years. Most recently they completed Spiritual Direction training together as a tiny cohort through the Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction. All three find a deep connection to Universal Truth through time immersed in nature. There will be a strong emphasis on the silence of the rainforest, with contemplative practices integrated into all elements of this trip.

Arrive in Tacoma by 2pm on September 25. Departure on Wednesday, September 30. Group transportation to and from the airport is provided. Overnight accommodations, breakfast and dinners are provided before, during, and after the backpacking trip. Transportation to the trailhead is provided.

The 4-day, 3-night backpacking trip will begin on the Hoh River Trail, continuing to Blue Glacier and the base of Mount Olympus. This trail contains several technically challenging elements and is best suited for experienced backpackers.

Email RSVP your interest today!

Overnight accommodations and ground transportation are included. All breakfasts and dinners are provided, along with some snacks.

Personal backpacking gear is not included, but we can help you find what you need. Please note BEAR CANISTERS are required. Air transportation is not included. We ask participants to provide their own preferred food for lunches.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1: 9/25 - Friday 

• Participant Arrival at SEA/TAC by 2pm

• 3 hour drive to Drive to Kalaloch

• Dinner at Kalaloch Lodge

• Gathering meal and meeting

• Overnight at Kalaloch Campground on beach

• Distribute group gear and all food

DAY 2: 9/26 - Saturday

• Breakfast at Kalaloch Lodge

• Depart 1 hr drive to Hoh River Trail trailhead

• Hike to Olympic Guard campsite – trailhead to Olympus Guard (9.7 miles, 750' gain) 

DAY 3: 9/27 - Sunday

• Hike to Blue Glacier – Olympus Guard to Glacier Meadows (7.7 miles, 4500' gain)

DAY 4: 9/28 - Monday

• Hike to Five Mile Island – Glacier Meadows to Five Mile Island (12 miles)

DAY 5: 9/29 - Tuesday

• One Square Inch of Silence

• Hike to trailhead parking – Five Mile Island to trailhead parking (5 miles)

• Drive to Sacred Waters retreat center

• Dinner and overnight accommodations at Sacred Waters

DAY 6: 9/30 - Wednesday 

• Breakfast at Sacred Waters

• Flights home, transport to airport; Return van

Introducing: The Listening Path

This new offering blends group spiritual direction and day hiking, alternating virtual and outdoor sessions. Flexible pricing makes this an affordable and accessible mini-retreat. All are welcome. Choose any or all sessions, and a price point that works for you: $10, $25 or $50 per Session.

Spring Pilot Sessions — New dates added

Outdoor Hiking at the Churchill Valley Greenway
Friday, June19, 9:30am-1:00pm

Virtual Group Spiritual Direction
Monday, June 22, 7pm-8pm EST 

Join via Google Meet: meet.google.com/bjw-aqav-jax

What to Expect
Online listening sessions will begin with a short reading, question, or prompt, followed by a time of silence, and then group sharing and conversation, and closing reading.

Hiking sessions will revisit the theme from the virtual tim, hiking half the trail in silence, and half in intentional reflection and conversation. Those who cannot attend in-person hiking, are encouraged to schedule a contemplative hike or walk in nature on their own.

Our listening focus will begin with “deconstruction”/faith crisis, not with the goal of fixing our faith, but rather accepting the transformation, and welcoming what endures. Topics will evolve along with the group.

More
We are living through times that demand a lot of us, whether through actions, within relationships, or simply because we are paying attention and care… It is a lot. My vision for the Listening Path is to offer a space for authentic connection with ourselves, one another, and the natural world. This is especially an invitation for those who tend to meet “God” in the outdoors and who may be looking for rest and solace of like-minded folks. The Spring Pilot Sessions are an experiment that I hope might grow into monthly gatherings and contemplative hikes.

The spring pilot sessions will help provide practical feedback for future ongoing sessions!

As always, please reach out with question. You can email me by clicking the RSVP button:

Dates: Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2026
Space is limited to 8 participants.
All experience levels are welcome. Physical preparation is expected. 
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent. 

Location: PA Wilds: North-central Pennsylvania 

Cost: $320/person 
Payment plans or limited reduced rates may be available by inquiry based on need. Please ask.

Contact:
Megan Shelly bewilderpgh@gmail.com
Co-leader: Johanna Collins

Details: 
Megan and Johanna are excited to guide you on this beginner-friendly contemplative backpacking trip to the northcentral PA Wilds region of Pennsylvania. We will be carrying all our gear, camping in tents, filtering water, and practicing Leave No Trace ethics for all waste and physical impact.

This 3-day trip departs early from Pittsburgh on Friday morning and returns Sunday evening. Please plan accordingly, before registering. The trip will cover a total of approximately 20-25 miles, adapting the route to fit our group. We customize each trip based on participants experience, terrain, and other conditions such as water and campsite accessibility. 

As we develop a contemplative practice for the weekend, remember that it's a "practice". You can expect something to read or a podcast to listen to prior to the trip. We will offer prompts, and liturgies as guideposts for reflection. We will spend some time in silence, some in conversation and reflection. 

Breakfasts and dinners are provided. Participants provide their own lunch & snacks.  We will help you with ideas! 

Gear is not provided, but we will help you find what you need. We partner with 3 Rivers Outdoor Company to provide virtual and in-person gear consultations. We recommend that you visit the shop for purchases or gear rentals. They have a fantastic and knowledgeable staff and will be stocked up for our trip! 

Participants are responsible for their own transportation. We make every attempt to coordinate transportation among leaders and participants, but it is not guaranteed. 

MANDATORY PRE-TRIP ORIENTATION -- the meeting where you learn all about the trip!
Tuesday, April 14 @7pm
Location: Megan’s House (complete registration or email RSVP for address)

MANDATORY GEAR CHECK -- the meeting where we double check ALL your gear!
Option 1: Thursday, May 21, 6:30pm-8:30pm 
Option 2: Tuesday, May 26th, 6:30pm-8:30pm 
Location: Megan's house - RSVP for address

If you cannot attend the pre-trip meetings, please contact Megan (bewilderpgh@gmail.com) for alternative arrangements. 

Private event for a local church. If you would like more information about booking a retreat for your group please email bewilderpgh@gmail.com.

Date: Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19, 2025
Location: Mount Rogers / Grayson Highlands State Park Virginia
Co-leaders: Megan Shelly and Jon Desmarais

Megan and Jon are excited to guide you on this contemplative backpacking trip to the Grayson Highlands area of Virginia, which includes the Appalachian Trail. If the weather cooperates we should have incredible views near the top of Mount Rogers, and get to see the wild (feral) ponies!  We will be carrying all our gear, camping in tents, filtering water, and practicing Leave No Trace ethics for all waste and physical impact. This 3-day trip departs very early from Pittsburgh on Friday morning and returns Sunday late evening. Please plan accordingly, before registering. 

Space is limited.
All experience levels welcome. Physical preparation is expected. 
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent. 

Cost: $320
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask!

Megan and John are partnering with certified ADK Mountain Guide, Rich Hanlon, to bring you a very unique experience in the High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondack Mountains in New York. We will hike the Majestic Adirondack Great Range which includes 7 Adirondack Mountains named Upper Wolfjaw, Lower Wolfjaw, Armstrong, Gothics, Saddleback, and Basin. We will also include Mt. Marcy, the highest point in New York State. This will be an epic three-night four-day backpacking expedition over challenging terrain with some of the best mountain views in the Eastern United States. While we bask in the glory of the beautiful Adirondack landscape we’ll get to experience the unique wildlife of four stratified habitat zones; temperate, boreal, krummholz, and tundra.

Space is limited to 5 participants, 4 spots remaining.
Backpacking experience is preferred for this trip.

Cost: $580

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JULY 20
DEPOSIT of $100 hold your spot. (50% due by July 20 / balance due Aug 20)

Mandatory Pre-Trip Meeting
Sunday, July 20 @6:30pm
at Garfield Community Farm

Transportation and personal gear are not included, but we will help you find what you need. We can help coordinate ride sharing. Early arrival (Wed, Sept 17) and late departure (Mon, Sept 22) accommodations are not included, but we can help you with ideas.

Breakfasts and dinners are included.
BYO snacks/lunch.

Payment plans are always available.
Very limited reduced rates may be available for this trip by inquiry to those who need it.

NAVIGATING THE WILDERNESS OF GRIEF:
Honoring Loss, Following the Path Forward
AUGUST 8-10, 2025
Olmsted Manor Retreat Center

Whatever the context of your loss, whether a loved-one, a dream, a life-expectation, a global crisis, whether recent or long-passed, you are invited to explore the complex landscape of grief on this weekend retreat. Together we honor our losses and seek a path forward towards wholeness and connection. We find solace in the wilderness of grief through the support, compassion, and wisdom of community. There will be opportunities to tell your unique story, give shape to your grief through creative expression, ponder the beauty and mercy embedded in your grief, spend time in solitude, rest, play, and the outdoors. A full itinerary will be provided prior to the retreat.

Retreat Leaders: Megan Shelly and Katie Robb-Sewall

Cost: $400
Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it.
Email Megan to inquire: bewilderpgh@gmail.com

Individual private rooms.
Meals are included.
Transportation is not included.

Location: Olmsted Manor Retreat Center, 17 East Main St., Ludlow, PA 16333  

PLEASE NOTE: All are welcome. The location for this retreat is a Methodist retreat center. There may be religious items around the property, but the retreat is designed to be secular and welcoming to all. Megan and Katie are inclusive and affirming. We invite you to bring all parts of yourself to our retreats. There will be opportunities for silence, meditation, or prayer in a context that is comfortable for all participants. If you have any question or concerns please reach out to Megan.

Optional preparation:

• Choose a book to read prior to the retreat to deepen your experience and awareness. Optional group conversations may be available during the retreat.

  • As Long as You Need: Permission to Grieve, by J.S. Parks

  • The Grieving Body, by Mary-Frances O’Conner

  • Getting Grief Right: Finding Your Story of Love in the Sorrow of Loss, by Patrick O’Malley

• Spiritual Direction Sessions (one complimentary session)

  • Suggest 1 session prior to and 1-3 following the retreat.

  • Schedule HERE

MANDATORY: Pre-Trip Orientation:
Tuesday, May 27 @7pm 
Garfield Community Farm
(rain location Megan’s house, please email bewilderpgh@gmail.com for address)

Trip Dates: Friday, June 27 - Sunday, June 29
Space is limited.
All experience levels welcome. Physical preparation is expected.
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent. 

Location: Black Forest Trail - South Loop

Cost: $320/person 
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask! 

Co-leaders:
Megan Shelly and John Creasy 

John and Megan will lead participants on this summer backpacking trip to the Black Forest Trail. Last fall we competed about 25 miles of the northern loop, and this time we we complete the remaining 21 miles of the southern portion. The Black Forest Trail is considered one of the most challenging (and beautiful!) hiking trails in Pennsylvania.

We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates and payment plans are available by inquiry to those who need it.

IMPORTANT: the Pre-Trip Orientation is REQUIRED for all participants. Please plan to attend.

Is your daily work rooted in activism, creativity, or helping others? This retreat is designed with you in mind.

Teachers, activists, nurses, artists, parents, therapists, caretakers, pastors, social workers, and organizers—those who dedicate their energy to the common good—you are invited to pause and replenish. Take this opportunity to rest, reflect, and recharge through guided conversations, creative expression, and time to wander and unwind.

Let this weekend be a gift to your body and soul.

Program options will include group conversations and centering practices, book discussions, yoga, hiking, napping — whatever is nourishing and restful for you.

Join Akirah Wyatt and Megan Shelly for a restorative weekend at the serene River Mountain Resort in Everett, Pennsylvania. Nestled in the great outdoors, this modern resort is conveniently located just hours from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. Enjoy a luxurious glamping experience with a private sleeping pod* in shared cabins featuring two bathrooms per cabin. Gather in beautiful communal spaces, relax in the hot soaking tubs, and take in the breathtaking surroundings. 

This all-inclusive retreat covers everything: delicious meals, nightly bonfires with s'mores, daily happy hour, honey tasting, spring-fed cedar soaking tubs, group spaces, cozy accommodations, and access to 150 acres of nature.

Unplug. Decompress. Let yourself be cared for. You deserve it.

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

$430 + taxes & fees
Limited reduced rates are available for those in need.
Please email bewilderpgh@gmail.com to inquire.

Optional preparation for the weekend includes:

• Optional recommended supplemental reading:

  • Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, by Katherine May

  • Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto, by Tricia Hersey

• Spiritual Direction Sessions

  • Suggest 1 prior to and 1-3 following the retreat

  • Schedule HERE

*Please note that each cabin includes glamping “pods" with privacy curtains in a mixed-gender cabin with two shared bathrooms. We think the cabins are truly unique and beautify accommodations, providing an intimate connection to nature. We're very excited to experience this place with you. You are invited to take a look at the cabin details on the website. There will be time to spend time outdoors, as well as, indoors in beautiful (heated) group spaces and lounge areas.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Megan directly at bewilderpgh@gmail.com. 

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Dates: Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27, 2024
Space is limited.
All experience levels welcome. Physical preparation is expected. 
Ages 13-18 welcome with a parent. 

Location: PA Wilds Dark Skies region of northcentral Pennsylvania

Cost: $320/person 
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask! 

Co-leaders:
Megan Shelly and John Creasy 

John and Megan will lead participants on a trip to the Dark Skies region of the PA Wilds. Megan and John are thrilled to bring you this contemplative backpacking trip in the PA Wilds Dark Skies area of Pennsylvania! If we're lucky enough we could have quite an incredible show of stars, perhaps even the Milky Way or the Northern Lights!  

We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates and payment plans are available by inquiry to those who need it.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS CLOSED

Please explore other upcoming events or email bewilderpgh@gmail.com for a customized trip for your group.

PRE-TRIP ORIENTATION: JULY 2, 7PM @GARFIELD COMMUNITY FARM - required for anyone who is interested or registered!

Megan and Johanna will lead this trip in Allegheny National Forest for beginners or those who are looking for a more gentle weekend. Shorter miles and easier terrain make this trip perfect for all experience levels.

Dates: Friday, August 16 to Sunday, August 18, 2024
Location: North Country Trail, Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania
Cost: $320/person 
Payment plans or limited reduced rates are available by inquiry based on need. Please ask! 

Details: 
Johanna and Megan will lead this contemplative beginner backpacking trip on the North Country Trail in Allegheny Forest.  We will be carrying all our gear, camping in tents, filtering water, and practicing Leave No Trace ethics for all waste and physical impact.  (You to NOT have to be a beginner to attend! All are welcome.)

Are you looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life? Dreaming of exploring pristine wilderness, waking up to breathtaking sunrises, and falling asleep under a canopy of stars? A beginner backpacking trip is your perfect gateway to the natural world!

Backpacking offers a unique blend of adventure and serenity. It's more than just a hike—it's about carrying your essentials on your back and embracing the simplicity of life on the trail. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Unplug and Reconnect: Leave behind your screens and rediscover the beauty of the natural world.

• Physical Challenge: Push your limits and experience the satisfaction of conquering new terrain.

• Mental Clarity: Enjoy the peace and quiet that only nature can provide.

• Self-Sufficiency: Learn to rely on yourself and your gear, fostering a sense of accomplishment.

This trip is open to any experience level, but it will be tailored to beginners with fewer miles each day and moderate terrain. We will teach you all you need to know to feel confident to go backpacking again!  You will learn how to complete all the camp chores, such as water collection, hanging a bear bag, and even the dos and don'ts of digging a cathole! We will walk you through all the gear you need, how to prepare physically, and how to pack your backpack efficiently.  The wonders of backpacking await!! Join us!

We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it.

REGISTRAION IS CLOSED. Please check out our other upcoming events!!

Megan and John are excited to offer a "basecamp" trip in the North Fork Mountain region of West Virginia! This three day trip departs early from Pittsburgh on Friday morning and returns Sunday evening. Please plan accordingly, before registering. Each day includes opportunities for hiking and exploring the region, as well as opportunities for solitude and guided contemplative practice. 

We will set up our basecamp at the Spruce Knob Lake campground in the Monongahela National Forest. On Friday we will explore Spruce Knob, the highest point in WV, and surrounding area.  Saturday we will provide guided opportunities to hike the ridge of North Fork Mountain, including Chimney Top. We are still working out the exact route and milage options, but expect a longer more challenging hike (8-10 miles) and a shorter option. Sunday we will pack up early and drive Blackwater Falls State Park for one more excursion, before returning home.

DETAILS & REGISTRATION HERE!

Cost $320

Discounts available for families with children.

Breakfasts and dinners are included. Transportation and personal gear are not included, but we will provide a list and help you find what you need! We partner with 3 Rivers Outdoor Company to provide virtual and in-person gear consultations. We recommend that you visit the shop (1130 S Braddock Ave, 15218) for any purchases or gear rentals. They have a fantastic and knowledgeable staff and will be stocked up for our trip! We typically help coordinate carpooling with other participants to and from the trailhead.

We never want cost to be prohibitive to your participation. Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it.

Retreat Leaders: Megan Shelly and Katie Robb Sewall

Whatever the context of your loss, whether a loved-one, a dream, a life-expectation, a global crisis, whether recent or long-passed, you are invited to explore the complex landscape of grief on this weekend retreat. Together we honor our losses and seek a path forward towards wholeness and connection. We find solace in the wilderness of grief through the support, compassion, and wisdom of community. There will be opportunities to tell your unique story, give shape to your grief through creative expression, ponder the beauty and mercy embedded in your grief, spend time in solitude, rest, play, and the outdoors. A full itinerary will be provided prior to the retreat.

 BOOK NOW CLICK HERE

Cost $360 plus taxes & fees

Meals are included. Limited reduced rates are available by inquiry to those who need it. Transportation not included. Email Megan to inquire: bewilderpgh@gmail.com

Optional preparation for the weekend includes:

• 4-week book group (free), Wednesdays at 7:30-8:30pm (NOTE time change - formerly 7pm)

  Google Meet (Jan 24, Jan 31, Feb 7, Feb 14)

  • A Hole in the World: Finding Hope in Rituals of Grief and Healing, by Amanda Held Opelt

  • RSVP to bewilderpgh@gmail.com

• Spiritual Direction Sessions

  • Suggest 1 prior to and 1-3 following the retreat

  • Schedule HERE

Retreat Accommodations: River Mountain Modern Mountain Resort 

(~2hrs from Pittsburgh, 2.5hrs from Baltimore/DC, 3.5hrs from Philly)

Friday arrival after 3pm. Happy hour 5pm. Dinner 6pm. Session 1 begins at 7pm.

River Mountain is a modern resort in the great outdoors, just a few hours from Washington D.C., Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Philly. Each retreatant will have a private sleeping pod* in the cabin, with two shared bathrooms per cabin -- a luxurious outdoor glamping experience!  A variety of group meeting spaces and lounge areas are available for guests, including the hot springs soaking tubs. 

All-inclusive:  meals, nightly bonfire + s'mores, evening happy hours, group space, cabin accommodations, housekeeping, and 150 acres of nature!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT

*Please note that each cabin includes glamping “pods" with privacy curtains in a mixed-gender cabin with two shared bathrooms. We think the cabins are truly unique and beautify accommodations, providing an intimate connection to nature! We're very excited to experience this place with you!  You are invited to take a look at the cabin details on the website. There will be time to spend time outdoors, as well as, indoors in beautiful (heated) group spaces and lounge areas.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Megan directly at bewilderpgh@gmail.com. 

GIFT CERTIFICATES

Perfect for the holidays! (….or anytime!)

Spread the holiday cheer to your outdoor-loving loved-ones or ask for one with your name on it!

Gift certificates can be issued in any amount from $25 to $500.

To request a gift certificate please email bewilderpgh@gmail.com.

*All gift certificates can be used for any 2025 or 2026 BEWILDERPGH trip or retreat. Some exclusions apply. No returns or refunds.