THIS TRIP IS CURRENTLY FULL. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SIGN UP AND YOU WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED IF A SPOT BECOMES AVAILABLE

Sign up is required to attend. A signup form is located at the bottom of this page.

OVERVIEW
Join us for a weekend in the wilderness...on the trail...around a fire...by a lake...with great people...hot coffee...good food...and conversations full of meaning. The weekend will be curated around Brené Brown’s new book Braving the Wilderness on belonging and courage. This trip is being organized by Anders Peterson & Karin Fleming.

THE TRAIL
We will be hiking The Gem Lake Loop located in Emigrant Wilderness, which borders Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park. This trail loop is 18 miles of lush forest, diverse terrain and alpine lakes. Gem Lake Loop is considered intermediate level hiking and will not involve anything too wild, but will require a certain level of fitness and hiking experience. You can get details of the trail here.

TRIP DETAILS
Friday – We will be leaving the Bay Area Friday afternoon or early evening in carpools. It's a 3.5 hour drive to our campsite for the night, which is located at the trailhead. Carpools can choose their own dinner stop along the way. Drinks, snacks and a crackling campfire will be awaiting you upon arrival.

Saturday – We will start our day with a meditation (unless you'd like to sleep in) followed by a delicious breakfast at the campsite. We will then break camp and spend the day on the trail. We will make stops for snacks, water refills, and lunch along the way. We will arrive at Gem Lake in time for a swim and fishing before making dinner and setting up camp. The evening will be spent around a fire with drinks and dessert and curated conversation stemming from Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown. We'll enjoy views of the Milky Way and award prize to the first person to spot the International Space Station.

Sunday – We will wake to a morning meditation and gentle yoga stretching to prepare our bodies for another day of hiking. After breakfast, we'll have some time for reflection and journaling before breaking camp and getting back on the trail. We will plan to complete our hike by midafternoon. We will stop for a group dinner and drinks at a brewery on our way home.

COST & WHAT IS PROVIDED
The cost to cover expenses for the trip is $100, which can be sent to Middle Circle via Venmo, PayPal, or Middle Circle's online giving portal. $50 reserves your spot on the trip.

Middle Circle will provide all:

• Camping Permits
• Transportation reimbursement for carpool drivers
• All food and drinks for the camping portion of the trip. Friday and Sunday dinners are on your own.
• Camping Food. There will be an opportunity to share specific food requests and sensitivities. We will seek to accommodate all food needs as we are able. Please be sure to contact the organizers with any questions.
• Bear Canisters
• Primary Water Filtration. You are welcome to bring additional water filters to carry with you.
• First Aid Kits
• Toilet Paper, Cooking Supplies, Cleaning Supplies
• Primary Lighting Sources. We also recommend you bring your own personal lighting source.
• Insect repellent & Sunscreen
• Gas for Camping Stoves

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING ON YOUR OWN
These are the essentials. For more details on what to bring see this list. If you don't own a sleeping bag, sleeping pad or hiking pack we encourage you to ask a friend or colleague before buying something new.

• Tent. We help link people who don't have a tent with those that do. You don't need to buy or own your own tent to join this trip! Just let us know at signup.
• Camping Stove. We only need a certain number of camping stoves. If you have one you can bring to help with meals please let us know at signup. You do not need to buy or own your own stove to join this trip!
• Camping Cookware. We only need a certain number of camping pots and pans. If you have one you can bring to help with meals please let us know at signup. You do not need to buy or own your own cookware to join this trip!
• Sleeping Pad
• Camping bowl/plate/cup & utensils
• Sleeping Bag
• Warm Clothes (hat, gloves, thick pants, windbreaker, etc.)
• Basic toiletries & Prescription Medications
• Water bottles
• Headlamp or Flashlight
• Backpack 
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Braving the Wilderness book by Brené Brown. It is strongly encouraged to read or listen to Brene's Brown's book Braving the Wilderness prior to the trip. You can buy or listen here, or find it at your local library. A copy of the book will be brought on the trip by the organizers so you don't need to physically bring a copy on the trail with you. 
• Swimsuit & Camping Towel. This is optional.
• Fishing Grear & License. This is optional.

THIS TRIP IS CURRENTLY FULL. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SIGN-UP AND YOU WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST. YOU WILL BE CONTACTED IF A SPOT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

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