1) Enjoys the outdoors and willing to learn

2) Able to hike 5+ miles off trail with a 20-30 lb pack (with rests and breaks along the way)

3) Able to sleep in a tent for 3 nights, but up to 5 nights weather depending

4) Willing to push yourself past your comfort zone

5) In good health and willing to be off grid for one week in bush Alaska with no roads, no cell service, & no hospital nearby

6) 18 minimum age requirement, but no upper age limit as long as you’re in good health and are capable with the above qualifications

Get yourself to Anchorage, Alaska with all of your clothing, hiking boots, and 7 day fishing license ($45), and we will cover the rest. Alaska weather is unpredictable. We could have very warm shirt days or cold and rainy puffy days. You will need to make sure you have good raingear, top and bottom, warm puffies top and bottom, and warm baselayers and wool socks with leather waterproof hiking boots and gaiters. A beanie and gloves will keep your head and hands warm. Trekking poles are optional but nice to have with hiking in uneven terrain like tundra. We will provide the rest of the gear like camping gear, flights, and equipment, along with all of your food.

Provided to you that you will keep: a retreat jacket, a retreat nalgene water bottle, a 100 oz Kuiu water bladder, a Kuiu backpacking pack, survival and first aid kit, 1 year OnX elite mapping membership, bug net, TP/wipes, journal, Kuiu medium dry bag, neck gaiter, all meals, snacks, Wilderness Athlete supplements and Peak refuel meals, earplugs, chapstick, eye mask, knife, spork, Pyro Putty fire starter, ballcap, and more!

GEAR LIST TO BRING: (see Tana’s examples below).

Focus on mostly Polyester, fleece, or merino wool rather than cotton

Feet:

• 4 pairs wool socks, 2 liner socks, 3 regular day socks

• Waterproof Leather Hiking boot over the ankle

• Hiking Gaiters

• Camp shoes (like crocs or slip ons)

• Fishing Wader boots

Legs:

• 2-3 base layer pants

• 2 outer shell hiking pant

• 1 pair fleece sweats for camp

• 1 down puffy pant (non negotiable, NEEDED)

• 1-2 rain pants

• 5 pairs underwear

Hands/Head:

• beanie

• ballcap (we provide one for you to keep)

• light glove + warm glove layer

• polarized sunglasses

Upper body:

• 2-3 base layers or fleece lined leggings

• 2-3 medium layers like a fleece pullover + warmer jacket layer

• 1 rain jacket

• 1 down puffy jacket (non negotiable, needed!)

• 3 sports bras

• 2 T shirts (can be cotton) + Swimsuit to manifest 70 degree weather

Other gear: chest waders, toiletries, binos if you have them, Trekking poles (optional, but nice for hiking), camping pillow, bear defense gun (if you know how to shoot it), toiletries, three 2 L size dry bags,

ALASKA 7 DAY FISHING LICENSE / $45

WHAT TANA PACKS FOR 4 DAYS OF CAMPING IN REMOTE ALASKA, Examples:

Feet: 

• 4 pairs darn tough wool socks

• 2 pairs bridgedale liner socks

• 3 pairs costco ankle socks

• Blister kit ( if you get bad blisters)

• Lowa GTX Womens Hiking Boot

• Kuiu Kutana gaiters

• Camp shoes: xtra tuff slip ons or crocs

• Simms wader boots

Legs:

• 1 Base layer: fleece legging

• 1 Base Layer: Kuiu womens merino zip off bottoms

• 2 outer shell hiking pant, like a kuiu womens attack pant

• 1 pair Fleece sweats for campfire / pajamas

• Kuiu super down pro puffy pants

• Kuiu womens Chugach rain pant

• 5 pairs underwear

Upper Body:

• 1 base layer: Kuiu merino womens long sleeve

• 1 base layer: peloton zip t

• 1 fleece layer

• 1 medium layer: Kuiu Kenai jacket, womens (So warm and light)

• 1 warm sweatshirt, fleece lined

• Kuiu super down pro puffy jacket

• Kuiu womens chugach rain jacket

• 3 sports bras

• Women's custom retreat jacket (provided to all women to keep)

• 2 T shirts + Swimsuit to manifest 70 degree weather

Hands/Head:

• Womens kuiu beanie

• Kuiu axis glove

• Warmer mittens because my hands are always cold ;)

• Kuiu womens headband

• Polarized sunglasses

Other gear: 

Simms chest Waders + boots, Bino harness, toiletries, Leki Trekking Poles for Hiking , swimsuit, Wiggys light weight waders (I have extra to share), camping pillow, Bear defense revolver 454, 3 dry bags, alaska fishing license

What I provide for you to keep:

• Kuiu backpacking pack with women’s suspension

• 48 oz Nalgene water bottle

• Survival kit (fire starter, knife, first aid, bivvy sack, bug net, paracord, spork, chapstick, eargplugs, etc)

• All food, snacks, coffee

• Wilderness Athlete Hydrate and recover, HERO, and energy & Focus

• 100 oz Kuiu Platypus water bladder with hose

• Kuiu medium roll top dry bags

• OnX 1 year Elite Map Subscription

• Journal

• Lacrosse Stretching Ball

• Feral Lyfe bandana

• Women's custom retreat jacket

Alaska weather is unpredictable in southwest Alaska and Bristol Bay. In mid July it could be sunny and 70 and calm winds, or 40s at night and windy and rainy. We will teach you how to stay warm, and we will be prepared for all weather conditions. Average temperatures this time of year are about 50s-60s and partly cloudy, with intermittent rain showers, dropping into the 40s at night at higher elevations.

Aside from the skills, fun, and memories you gain on this adventure, this is overall a life changing experience and challenge from the first financial investment until the day you leave here. What you learn through challenging yourself and saying YES to an opportunity like this, carries on through your life. You create connections and friendships, you rediscover yourself, you reconnect with the closest people around you, and refocus on what truly matters.

You make the best memories, learn to say yes to the things you want to do, disconnect from the chaos of the world around you, and really truly remember what life is all about.

Most everything and all camping gear will be provided, you will bring your own clothing and boots (waterproof leather hiking boots, rain gear, puffies, base layers) and toiletries.

See “alaska gear packing list” tab for more.

25% non-refundable deposit is due upfront and the remaining 75% will be due by July 1st, 2024.

I can also set up any payment plan that works for you. This allows ample time to book flights, make reservations, and order food and gear ahead of time which can take months in bush Alaska!

Ability to hike at least 5 miles off trail carrying at least a 20 lb pack. Some previous outdoor expedition or backpacking experience is helpful, though you can also learn and don’t need to be an expert. You need a passion or desire to be in the wilderness, prep beforehand with some hiking, and we can also help you prepare for the experience !

We have had people join from their early 20s to 60s. Age is really just a number. 18 minimum age for the women’s retreat (adults only).

It is more about if you’re capable, willing, and excited to do these experiences. It is never too early or too late to live life! For family retreats, any age is welcome, even children.

While at our campsite, we will have no electricity, no cell reception, and no running water facilities. We will be several hundred flying miles from the nearest hospital, but we are wilderness first responder certified. We will provide a toileting area in the woods with toilet paper and wipes! Once back in King Salmon we will have cell reception, electricity, and running water facilities (including showers) at the lodge.

“Strength” is a relative term. Your mindset is the most powerful tool. You do not have to be the strongest, baddest, fastest person and at your absolute best to do this.

We have had all ages from very fit people to even pregnant women! (though it is not suggested to come here while you are pregnant due to no hospitals nearby)

Nothing is guaranteed. We plan on having retreats in coming years, but there is no guarantee as things change year to year!

Make “one day” DAY ONE by taking the jump!

Stay up to date on @bristolbayretreats Instagram page and dates will be kept updated on this website as well.

A 25% non-refundable deposit down is required to secure your spot. No cancellations or refunds will be offered for this retreat. If for any reason there is an emergency or someone cannot make a retreat, your deposit can be applied to a future retreat, but this must be arranged with Tana.

This is a life changing experience & opportunity to commit and challenge yourself mentally to do hard things. The first step to that is committing to yourself, mentally and financially to this experience, and not allow your mind to talk you out of it.