Solstice Wander:
A Journey of Rewilding and Reconnection
Mount Rogers / Grayson Highlands: The Appalachian Trail
Thursday, June 19th - Sunday, June 22nd
with Kathleen & Bethany
Join Kathleen and Bethany, experienced nature therapists with a combined 30 years of wilderness adventure, for this soul-nourishing retreat along the Appalachian Trail. Together, we will create a crafted experience designed to help you slow down, reconnect, and align with the natural world in ways that leave you feeling restored, grounded, and empowered.
Under the potent energy of the summer solstice, we will weave ceremony and sacred practices into every part of this journey. From meditations to rituals that honor the Earth, your body, and community, this retreat is an invitation to honor the rhythms of nature while discovering the wisdom within.
Your Journey:
Our time together begins at base camp, preparing and bonding as a group for the journey ahead. Over the next two nights, you will hike the Appalachian Trail, carrying the energy of the solstice in every step as you explore the beauty of this sacred land. Along the way, you will receive the tools and confidence to continue your outdoor journey beyond this retreat, deepening your connection with nature and yourself.
By the end of our time together, you’ll leave with more than just memories of stunning landscapes—you will gain tools for ongoing rewilding and practices that invite continued connection to the earth, community, and your own inner wisdom.
This experience is open to all levels of backpackers, from beginners to seasoned. Before this adventure, you will be supported with strategies to prepare mentally, physically, and with the proper gear. Gear will be available for rental – participants will receive a survey regarding gear needs.
Reclaim your wild, embrace the Solstice energy, and rediscover your deepest connection to both yourself and nature. The mountains are waiting for you to step into this sacred, transformative journey.
You will experience:
- Therapeutic Nature Practices that guide you in deepening your connection to the land and slowing your pace to align with your natural rythem.
- Somatic Healing & Moving Meditation that integrates body and spirit, helping you release tension and move in harmony with nature’s flow. The moving meditations will invite you to engage with your body, letting the landscape inspire each step as a meditative practice.
- Soul Writing & Meditation to create space for reflection, insight, and connection with your inner guidance.
- Sacred Solstice Ceremony to honor the power of the sun and the transition of the seasons—inviting light, renewal, and transformation into your life.
- Solo Time for quiet reflection and deeper listening, allowing nature to be your guide as you connect with the stillness within.
- Communal Meals & Backpacking Tips to nourish both body and community, building trust and preparing for the adventure ahead.
- Medicinal Plant Wisdom to learn the ancient healing practices of the Appalachian landscape and how to work with this natural medicine.
Is this backpacking experience for you?
- Are you able to carry 20 pounds on your back on mountainous terrain for up to 10 miles?
- Do you want to fully unplug from technology for 3 days (you can share the guide’s contact information in case of emergency)
- Are you interested in learning nature therapy practice to support your work?
- Do you want to clear your mind and static in your nervous system?
- Do you want to connect with the wisdom of your heart?
- Do you want to connect with community in authentic ways?
- Do you want to experience a profound connection with the natural world?
- Do you want to learn skills that will support you in feeling confident in wilderness areas?
- Are you content not showering for 3 days?
If YES, save your spot soon, as space is limited!
Route
Thursday, June 19 – Arrive at base camp near the trailhead by 4 pm.
Friday, June 20 – Mount Rogers Trailhead to Rhododendron Gap (7.3 miles)
Mount Rogers Trail to Appalachian Trail
Saturday, June 21 – Rhododendron Gap to Old Orchard Shelter (8.3 miles)
Appalachian Trail, Virginia Highlands Trail, Appalachian Trail
Sunday, June 22 – Old Orchard to Mount Rogers Trailhead (3.7 miles)
Appalachian Trail to Fairwood Trail
***ROUTE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
FOOD: Dinners will be communal, honoring dietary restrictions. Breakfast, snacks, and lunch are backpackers choice. You will be given recommendations on what to bring.
Investment & Registration
Investment: $850, which includes communal dinners.
- There are a couple of scholarships available, so please reach out!
A non-refundable deposit of $250 saves your spot, with the balance paid by April 30th. There are no refunds after May 1st.
Space is limited!
Travel Insurance is recommended: Travel Safe, Insuremytrip, Travel Guard
A non-refundable deposit of $250 saves your spot, with the balance paid by April 30th. There are no refunds after May 1st. Travel Insurance is recommended: Travel Safe, Insuremytrip, Travel Guard
Bethany Novotny is a mental health counselor and outdoor educator. She currently works as an Associate Professor at East Tennessee State University and coordinates the Nature-based Therapy Graduate Certificate program. She specializes in using nature connectedness as a therapeutic tool for healing, incorporating mindfulness and somatic approaches into carefully designed nature-based experiences. Bethany is a certified Wilderness First Responder, a Leave No Trace Level 2 Instructor, and has over 90 hours of advanced training in nature-based therapies. Driven by a passion for adventure and a deep appreciation for the healing power of nature, she is dedicated to facilitating meaningful experiences that promote wellness, environmental stewardship, and personal growth. Whether teaching, facilitating wilderness retreats, guiding expeditions, or conducting outdoor therapy sessions, Bethany empowers individuals to reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
Kathleen has been a leader of therapeutic Nature experiences for 25 years. She weaves the modalities of nature-based therapy, somatic therapy, mindfulness, energy medicine, and ceremony into her work with groups and individuals. Kathleen believes the alchemy of these modalities leads to sustainable, long-term restoration of the nervous system and mental clarity, reclamation of the body, and rekindling of passion and creativity. She is the Co-Founder of NatureSoma and the Davidson Green School. Kathleen leads international retreats, regenerative living workshops, is a speaker, and author of The Nature Reset.
* RETREAT CANCELLATION POLICY *
A $250 non-refundable deposit guarantees your spot (the deposit is fully refunded if the trip is canceled). Full payment is due by April 30th. You will be invoiced with your final payment. You may cancel 90 Days before the retreat for a full refund (minus the $250 deposit). Please note that there will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays, or illness. Travel insurance is recommended.
If you have questions, please reach out to:
Kathleen@katmcintyre.com or NOVOTNY@mail.etsu.edu