Survivor Retreats

We’re planning a great 2012 retreat season, with one winter survivor/caregiver retreat and 6 summer retreats. Here are the dates and destinations for the 2012 retreats. All summer trips are 2 nights; the winter trip is one night. Dates given are the day we hike/snowshoe in, and the day we hike/snowshoe out:

March 23-24: Francie’s Cabin snowshoe retreat
July 20-22: Francie’s Cabin
August 3-5 Peter Estin Hut
August 11-13: Eiseman Hut
August 18-20: Uncle Bud’s Hut
September 7-9: Francie’s Cabin
September 15-17 Uncle Bud’s Cabin

The Francie’s Cabin snowshoe retreat is full, be we are taking reservations for the wait list. People on the wait list often get to go on the trip, so don’t give up hope! To reserve a spot on the wait list, click here. Sign ups for the summer retreats will start in early 2012.

Cancer treatment can leave you feeling pretty crummy. You want to feel better. Rehabilitation is hard work, and sometimes it helps if you can set a goal for yourself. One of our cancer survivor retreats could be just the thing. Maybe you want something that’s not too strenuous. Or maybe you want a challenge, but want to be sure it’s something that is still realistic. Perhaps you’re recovered physically, but still looking to find that “new normal.” Whatever the case, we have a retreat (or a day trip) that’s right for you.

On Live By Living’s 2-night cancer survivor retreats, we hike to cozy cabins deep in the Rockies, and spend a couple days relaxing, hiking, and enjoying the beauty of nature. Don’t worry, we lead the way, and we have a sag wagon to carry your gear and the food (and you, if necessary)! Volunteers will help you along the trail, cook and clean up, and lead the group activities at the hut.

Our retreats vary in difficulty. Contact us, and we’ll help you determine whether you’re ready for a trip, and if so, help you choose the trip that’s best for you. We’ll work with you and your physician to assess your level of fitness, and what training you may need to prepare. While a certain degree of fitness is required, you certainly don’t need to be Lance Armstrong to go on one of the trips. It’s not a race, and with appropriate training (which we can help you with), going on one of our cancer retreats is a realistic goal for many cancer survivors.

These cabins have woodburning stoves for heat, propane cooktops, well-equipped kitchens, solar-powered lights, and stunning vistas. Some things the cabins do NOT have: private bedrooms, running water, electrical outlets. Sleeping accommodations vary from cabin to cabin; most have a couple bedrooms that sleep 2-4 people, and a larger area that sleeps up to 10. Each bedroom has comfortable foam mattresses and pillows. The cabins sleep 16-20 people; trips typically will have 10-14 guests and 6 volunteer staff. Live By Living appreciates the generosity of the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association and the Summit Huts Association in supporting our use of these huts.

If you want to read more about the cabins, click here, and then click on the name of the cabin you are interested in.

You don’t need to be an experienced mountaineer to enjoy these trips! Whether you’re a veteran of the Appalachian Trail, or your outdoor experience has been limited to walks in the park, you can enjoy our trips. If you’ve never done a trip like this, we will provide the necessary instruction and training events to help you get in shape. We will work with you to be sure you have appropriate clothing and gear to keep you comfortable on the trail and at the hut.

Once we’re at the cabin, you’ll have a choice of activities. Join us for a hike or ski tour, or just relax around the cabin and soak in the views and solitude. We also offer training in various techniques to help you through the cancer journey. Discover the healing practice of Qigong. Gain calmness and clarity with mindfulness (meditation) training. Relax and center yourself with a gentle yoga practice. Specific activities offered vary from trip to trip.

But it’s not just about filling your soul: we’ll pamper you with great food, too!

On our summer retreats, we will spend 2 nights at the cabin before heading back to the trailhead. Winter retreats are one night. All meals are provided, and we can accommodate special dietary preferences. We generally expect participants on the overnight trips to have joined us for at least one day trip.

Summer trips cost $75, while the winter retreats cost $35. At Live By Living, we believe that no one should be denied the opportunity to participate in a retreat because they can’t afford the fee. So, scholarships to cover part or all of the trip cost are available through the Live By Living Foundation to those who need them. Click here to sign up for a retreat.

2012 Francie’s Cabin survivor/caregiver snowshoe retreat

Francie's Cabin retreat

Please join us March 23 and 24 for our second winter cancer survivor/caregiver retreat! We’ll snowshoe (or ski) in the beautiful Colorado mountains to a beautiful cabin south of Breckenridge, Colorado, where we will spend the night.

All of our retreats are special, but there’s something even more special about our winter trips. Maybe it’s the beauty of untracked snow. Maybe it’s the winter light. Whatever it is, you don’t want to miss it.

Francie’s Cabin is particularly suited for a winter trip. It’s one of the easier huts that we go to — just under two miles, with 900 feet of elevation gain. Our caring volunteers will be with you every step of the way. Once we get to the hut, you’ll have a chance to warm up by the wood stove. Your overnight gear and delicious meals will await you. Finally, Francie’s Cabin has a SAUNA. There’s no better way to melt away your cares and aches.

This trip is full, but we are still taking reservations for the wait list. People on the wait list frequently get a chance to go on the trip, so don’t give up hope! If you’re interested, but unsure whether you’re up for it, please give us a call at 303-808-2339, and we’ll help you figure out whether this is the trip for you. If you know you’re ready, you can register by filling out the form below. Once we receive your registration, we’ll send you a few forms to fill out, including a financial aid application. Your registration is confirmed only AFTER you return the completed forms along with your $35 payment (or financial aid application, if you need a scholarship — we believe that money should never be a barrier to your ability to attend one of our retreats). Click here to sign up for this trip