2023 Man Up Winter Retreat

6 Spots:  6/6 spots filled. This trip is FULL.

Curriculum - Retreat

Snowshoeing Difficulty - Moderate

Lodging - Log Lodge

Closest Major Airports - Idaho Falls Regional Airport (1hr 15min), Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (2hr 15min), Jackson Hole Airport (2hr 15min)

Guides: Nathan Thompson & Galen Thompson

General Info

Our Retreat will take place just outside of Yellowstone National Park  in the epic winter landscape of Island Park, Idaho. The trip will feature snowshoeing excursions (complete with steaming hot chocolate and incredible views... at the same time), meaningful times of worship, brand new lesson content tailored specifically for the Retreat setting, time and space for journaling and reflection, fireplace talks, morning devotions, great food, and even better fellowship. Your registration includes four nights of lodging in the log lodge, all meals (including snacks), guided* adventure, and event registration.

Important Info

• Check in starts at 4:00pm on Thursday, February 2nd and, for those who would like to stay as late as possible, check-out is no later than 10:00am on Monday, February 6th.
• We will be making daily snowshoeing forays, so packing appropriate layering for our activity will be very important. While you can pack the standard winter coat and snowpants, but for the best layering setup, we advise reading the "mid-high intensity" portion of THIS ARTICLE (it's a short, but informative read) to optimize your layers for our activity.
• Snowshoes will be necessary for each participant. You can bring your own, or choose to rent ours.
• We will be eating our supper together on Sunday evening at a local restaurant. The cost of this meal is NOT covered in the registration costs. Estimated cost of this meal is $30 - $40.
• Each registrant/group attending is responsible for their own transportation to and from our Island Park, Idaho meeting place.
• The general area that we will be basing out of gets a lot of snow. All-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for the best driving experience. 
• Once at Big Piney Lodge, there will be brief times of traveling to get to some of our Adventure locations. We will need registrants to volunteer to drive their vehicles in a manner that is best conducive to carpooling.

What's Provided

Beyond the lodging, lesson content, meals, snacks, and guided* Adventure, the following items are also provided:

• Bedding/Linens
• Towels
• Man Up Journal & Pen

Packing Necessities

• Snowshoes (or rent ours)
• Winter outdoor clothes
• Winter hat, gloves, & boots
• Camera
• Small Backpack/Daypack
• Bible
• Large Case of Water
• Extra money for Last Supper  ($30-$40 recommended)
• Sun Screen
• Chap Stick

Extras You May Want

• Any special/extra snacks you really love
• Headlamp

Physical Fitness Recommendation

Snowshoeing is a mid-high level intensity activity. While none of our snowshoe forays will be in excess of approximately 3 miles, and we won't be racing through the trail, it's important to note that snowshoeing is a higher level of cardio than hiking. While Man Up Adventures always pledges to maintain a safe trailside environment, we also acknowledge that keeping a steady snowshoeing pace is most advantageous for the group as a whole. Because of this we ask that all participants undergo the necessary training prior to the Adventure.  While our goal is not to exclude men from participating in our Adventures, for the sake of group dynamics and the respect of your fellow Adventurers, we strongly encourage each participant to honestly evaluate their level of physical fitness prior to registering. Although we are not licensed medical professionals, we reserve the right to ask you not to participate if we feel that your health is at risk.

Cancellation Policy

We offer a full refund (minus a $50 processing and registration fee) to those who cancel anytime up until 90 days prior to the Adventure.   Due to the up-front costs involved in preparing for such trips, cancellations that inside of 90 days of the trip date are non-refundable. Due to the need for mutual commitment, this policy is firm. When registering for one of our trips, each participant signs off that they've read and understood the above Cancellation Policy.

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* Man-Up Adventures does not provide liability or any kind of insurance for protection of individuals, groups, organizations, or others who may participate in a Man-Up Adventure.

In consideration for your participation in Man-Up Adventures, you hereby release and forever discharge Man-Up Adventures from any and all actions, causes of actions, claims and demands for, upon or by reason of any damage, loss or injury, which hereafter may be sustained by participating in Man-Up Adventures.

While we are very familiar with the geographical terrain that our group will be Adventuring over, We (Nathan & Galen & any other person representing Man Up Adventures in an official capacity) reserve the right to use the term "Guide" loosely. We are not associated with, nor do we represent, the State of South Dakota, Custer State Park, or any of its entities, and are not registered outdoor "guides" with any lodge, company, or outfitting group.