The 9th Annual Autumn
Women's 5-day 4-night Backcountry Paddling Trip
a trip for women with some backcountry camping experience
Mon Sep 29 - Fri Oct 3, 2025
registration deadline: Sun, Sep 21, 2025
Join other women into the peaceful and beautiful backcountry of McCrae Lake.
The Power - and magic - of Listening
Together we'll listen ...
and Together, we'll decide -
how physical we're called to be ...
and/or how relaxing? ... or maybe a perfect combination of both.
We'll learn to hone our listening
for the small things, as well as the big ...
and watch
as magic arises!
What you can expect -
At minimum, there are 2 short-ish portages and perhaps an hour-ish of paddling to get in - and out again. Beyond that, the choices are ours to make!
Expect - a community of brave, creative, funny, adventurous, playful, responsible and welcoming women drawn to trees, water, fresh air, time away from the rest of what our lives hold ... and women-only space. Expect - Campfires. Shared meals*. Laughter. Facilitated group experiences. Personal time - including an optional and highly recommended 24 hr solo. Potential for impromptu singing, swimming ... Joy!!! ... and, of course, magic! Expect also a wide & possibly wild range of weather, from sunny and hot to rainy and cold ... for multiple days!
This is an invitation to bring your whole self- your gifts, your questions, your passions, emotions, fears, hopes, dream and any other parts of you that come along - to show up!
Together, we'll explore different ways to listen to ourselves, and to invite our longings out ...
to notice, to nurture ... to honour.
And together, we'll discover the magic that arises when we listen.
Note: this is a drug and alcohol-free trip.
magic:
that which arises when all of the above come together ... or, some believe, that is there all along and just requires a reminder to notice and an openness to see and experience it.
*Meals will be brought and created by all of us. The number of meals each of us will be responsible for will depend on how many of us there will be.
Ready to Sign up?
A Note on Fees - An Introduction to Gift Economy:
There are no set fees for this trip*. It is offered as a gift.
You are invited to make a (financial) gift in support of the work that I do.
I invite you into generosity - for both you and I -
to feel into what feels generous to you - is maybe even a stretch,
and leaves you happy too.
* you may need to rent a boat
Why? Gifting brings us closer to being responsive to our and each other's needs.
It's an invitation to begin to take part in an economy where resources (not just financial) flow
from where they are to where they are needed.
If we were to move to this kind of economy, everyone's needs would at least be noticed,
and then possibly also met.
And that is the kind of world I'd love to live in.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Email shelleyhannah@proton.me or call me at 519-994-0449.
Important Notes:
- Meals are brought and made communally - that is to say that each of us will sign up to be responsible for the meals we will be sharing. The number and size of which will be dependent on how many of us there are to divide the necessary meals among. Keep it simple is recommended! We’ll all bring snacks to share.
- Depending on numbers, you may need to share a tent with another woman.
- There is some planned programming, but all participants are welcome to share in the leadership of each moment. Feel free to plan ahead or to share something in the moment, if you feel called to.
- canoe rentals are available from a few places, should we not have enough among those who will be coming. Reach out if you will need to rent one. Rentals typically come with 2 life jackets, paddles, safety kit & car-loading gear included.
- you will be taking responsibility for your own safety, health and wellbeing. While I will lend my leadership & experience before and during the trip to ensure the safest possible experience, you will be required to fill out a waiver and agree to make choices that keep both you and the group physically and emotionally safe.
I’ll be sharing a link to a google doc spreadsheet where you’ll be able to sign up for meals, shared gear (to share/loan or borrow), car and canoe-sharing meet-ups and other trip-related info.
Ready to Sign up?
Interested but have a few questions? Fill out the form below.
Looking forward to being out there and to co-creating the magic that will become the Women’s Wilderness Paddling Trip 2024!
Welcome!!