Over the years of leading experiential retreats with Rocks to Rivers, I’ve (Branden) had a multitude of responses to why someone feels they can’t/shouldn’t go. I wanted to take a few moments to address each of these common assumptions.

This is all about rock-climbing, and I’m not into that…

Although rock-climbing is an element of what we engage in, it’s not the centerpiece. In fact, it’s probably better to think about the rock-climbing as the vehicle that takes us to the centerpiece, which is self-awareness, mindfulness, and a deeper connection with ourselves and others. Rock climbing mimics all the essentials of life and relationship - trust, communication, vulnerability, stress, fear, etc. - and in that we are able to face the ways we engage in those areas and choose new, healthier ways to do so.

You have to be an experienced outdoorsman…

We have people from all levels of experience who go on our retreats. In fact, some of the folks who tend to get the most out of them are those who are experiencing these things for the first time. Due to the ‘newness’ of the experience, they tend to be able to have some of the greater shifts in their thinking. These retreats are led by experienced guides who know how to create opportunities that might be new, but not too much, and who are committed to teaching you the outdoor skills needed in a non-judgmental way.

This is just macho, show-off, chest-puffing, performance stuff…

This is the assumption that becomes most obviously untrue as soon as we’re together. Rock-climbing in particular helps to dissuade people from pursuing a performance based achievement in that it allows us to fail without feeling like failures. The climbs aren’t about achieving any particular goal, but about helping us get connected to parts of ourselves that we’ve lost or muted along the way. Our motto is ‘challenge by choice’, which for some folks means they push their limits and try difficult things, whereas for others it might mean resting instead of performing.

I would be too old / too out of shape / too “__”

Although these experiences do require some physical capabilities, we’ve had people in their 70’s go out with us in the Colorado backcountry and find that they could thrive. In fact, more often than not, these trips allow people to see their limits in new ways, both in the sense of helping them recognize their limits and recognize limits that they are putting on themselves unneccessarily. If this is a fear, we do our best to help people know what is physically required in order to have a meaningful time so that they can choose what they think is best for themselves.

It’s too unsafe/dangerous…

Although what we are doing comes with an element of risk, we are highly intentional about mitigating those risks in order to provide as much safety as possible. One of our rules is that we always want participants to feel safe, which does not always mean they feel ‘comfortable’. The guides on these trips are highly trained in guiding towards this end, as well as in having a knowledge of wilderness survival and first-aid.

Night climbing - Counselors Retreat 2021

This is some kind of weird, emotionally manipulative cult thing…

We have folks from all kinds of religous, cultural, and recovery backgrounds attend out trips…and to date, no one has said we are culty. We utilize frameworks from the 12-steps, but do not push our concepts or beliefs or anyone. Similarly to the physical challenges we offer, we cultivate a culture of ‘challenge by choice’, meaning it is always up to the participant to choose how they participate - in the meetings, discussions, processing and sharing, as well as in any physical activity.
We attempt to have healthy boundaries with participants, being intentional about letting you know what our service is, and is not, offering. We are intent on offering an opportunity for you to grow in awareness and vision, without asking you to join our group or become a follower.

The cost is too high…

Outlook rock at night - counselors retreat 2025

It’s hard to compare the cost of one of these trips, because there is no one else doing anything like them locally. We take a lot of time to evaluate what is a fair price compared to what others are charging for similar retreats, while taking into context the local market, value from the practitioners leading this retreats (highly trained in both guiding and coaching). If you ever feel the need for a trip like this but the cost is a deterrant, let us know and we can help you find ways to raise the money needed.

For comparison, here is a retreat doing essentially the same thing, but without the expertise in clinicians, coaches, and guides, but costs 1500 for 3 days. These do not include the guided coaching aspect of our trips.

What are they about then?

Well, I’m glad you asked. Although it’s hard to put into words, I can tell you what my experience has been. These retreats are one of the few places where I am given an opportunity to fully connect my mind, heart, and body within a safe community of people, so that I can better learn how I navigate through life and develop a more clear vision for my future. These retreats have allowed me to face fear, become vulnerable, and open myself up in new ways. They’ve also been some of the times in my life where I’ve experienced the most joy, deepest laughter, and most sincere contentment. I’ve learned what I want, what I’m afraid of, and what I need to let go of. Our job in leading them is to provide an opportunity for you to become awake, aware, and alive - through challenge, community, and coaching.

If you’d like to hear more about our vision for these types of adventures, take a listen to this podcast with Bill and Branden.

For more information about upcoming retreats and coaching opportunities, go to the official Rocks to Rivers webpage.