Destination Adventure Big Bend South Rim Hike 2016
The Big Bend of Texas is unlike any place on earth. Perhaps "Texas Monthly" described it as succinctly as possible in one of the magazine's many articles on the region.
No wilderness experience in Texas is quite like Big Bend National Park, more than 800,000 acres of mountains, desert, and river so stark and dreamy that it's difficult to distinguish where reality ends and apparition begins. Jagged peaks sheltering pine forests more typical of New Mexico or Colorado, canyons that are steeper, sheerer, and narrower than any found in the Grand Canyon, the vast expanse of Chihuahuan Desert, and the Rio Grande in its robust, untamed glory suggest that Big Bend was transplanted here from somewhere else.
Join Us For Destination Adventure - Big Bend 2016
Being or becoming fit is about much more than doing a workout. It's about feeling good about yourself and knowing that you are physically and mentally strong to take on whatever challenges life might toss in your path. When Mary Beth and I led a group of women to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2011, we saw just how strong the soul can be. These women had faced enormous challenges in their lives, but rose above them to accomplish an extraordinary fete and in the process, inspire others to press forward and not give up hope.
While the South Rim Trail is not Kilimanjaro, it is a trek to not be taken lightly. With a roundtrip clocking in at about 13 miles and an elevation gain of more than 2,000 feet, the trail is rated strenuous and will leave the quads quaking and the lungs gasping. We will do the trek in one day, starting before sunrise so that we finish before sunset. But not to worry, you'll be physically ready to take on the trail. We'll prepare you every step of the way should you take the challenge and join us on this awe-inspiring journey. You'll be challenged, you'll get tired. But you'll do things you've never done before and push boundaries that you may feel are set in stone, only to find the walls crumble. And isn't that what living life to the fullest is all about?
The historic, quirky and eerily beautiful ghost town of Terlingua will be our home base. We will stay at the Villa Terlingua, once the largest residential ruin in the ghost town. It is now home to three beautiful and unique houses that offer incomparable views and easy access to Big Bend. We will have the main house and the smaller guest house. This will be family style living and sleeping with a central kitchen where Mary Beth and I (with your help) will prepare breakfasts and dinners. Lunches will be on your own, either at the house or at one of the quaint cafes in the ghost town. If privacy is a concern, don't worry. The main house is quite large with an expansive porch that has a comfy chair or sofa around every turn -- perfect for an afternoon siesta or a marathon reading session. We will be in great company with Cynta, the beautiful creator/restorer of Villa Terlingua. Meet her and her stunning creation at the Villa Terlingua website.
Sunset from the guest house porch
Details
We are putting together all of the details and will have the complete itinerary with pricing by April 5. Cost will include lodging, snacks, breakfast and dinner as well as specialized endurance training sessions and preparatory hikes in and around the Houston area to prepare for the hike.
This is a gals only adventure and is limited to eight participants. It is an educational retreat that will teach healthy meal preparation and include movement/stretching activities as well as sunrise yoga on the guest house sun patio. Our goal for this adventure is to have you experience new situations with confidence, stretch your physical capabilities and take time to consider how you can structure your life and that of your family to live a healthy, vibrant lifestyle that you purposefully design. Mary Beth and I are so excited and feel privileged to lead you on this grand adventure.
Tentative Itinerary
October 14: Depart Houston You may choose to drive or you can fly to El Paso where you'll need to rent a car and drive to Terlingua. The drive, depending on the route you take, can be between 9-11 hours. Mary Beth and I will drive in the day before to have the house set up for your arrival.
October 15: Hike Prep Day We'll begin the morning with sunrise yoga on the Guest House patio. For those who've never done yoga, you are welcome to participate, or instead do movement and stretching. Our hike prep meeting will take place after breakfast. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the Ghost Town or simply hang around and rest for the hike, prep your gear and your food for the next day. For those who would like to explore outside of Terlingua, Cynta will be available for suggestions. I highly recommend a driving tour of Big Bend National Park. We will gather again for a sunset dinner on the Main House porch. We'll make it an early night for an early rise.
October 16: Hike Day! South Rim Trail Here We Come We will rise before the sun and be on our way to the trailhead inside Big Bend National Park. We will reach the start point by 6 am to begin the ascent. We'll have lunch on the trail, hopefully at the top of the rim, where views on a clear day can extend for 200 miles. Once the descent is completed, we'll head back to Terlingua for a celebratory night out at the Starlight Theatre.
October 17: Free Day to Explore We will have options for you to consider. Perhaps a visit to the Boaquillas Hot Springs, or for those who want more adventure, a rafting trip down the Rio Grande through Santa Elena Canyon is an amazing experience. Horseback riding in the park is also an option. Cynta can help with ideas and planning.
October 18: Depart Terlingua We'll need to be packed and out by noon. We can caravan back to Houston, or you can depart on your own time. We'll have plenty of wonderful memories to take back with us.
Sign Up For The Information Packet
The information packet will be ready on April 5. We will send it to you electronically by e-mail. Requesting the packet in no way obligates you to participate. Because we must limit participants to eight, we are just gauging interest.
We hope you'll consider going on this adventure with us. Will it be hard? Yep. Will it be worth it? Oh hell yeah!
Request your packet by filling out the form to the right.