Wilderness Heals

Thank you for visiting the Wilderness Heals blog. Wilderness Heals is an all-women, three-day annual pledge hike that benefits the Elizabeth Stone House (ESH), a Boston-based emergency shelter, transitional housing program, and therapeutic community that provides services to women and children who are escaping violence and overcoming trauma. By encouraging hikers to set challenging physical, emotional, and financial goals, Wilderness Heals mirrors the experiences of hundreds of women who have sought help from the Stone House. Committing to hike is a way to grow personally while simultaneously standing in solidarity with women of the Stone House and women everywhere who are working to overcome the effects of violence in their lives.
Wilderness Heals 2011 will take place July 15-17, 2011. Registration materials may be downloaded here.
Go here to view the 2011 routes, and visit our Who's Who page to meet this year's team leaders and Recruitment Committee members.
Want to learn more? Visit our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Still have questions? Contact Erika Whyte, Wilderness Heals event coordinator, at 781-726-0551 or ewhyte@elizabethstone.org.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Come to the Fall Reunion Hike!

Wondering when you will see your Wilderness Heals friends again? Join us for the 2009 Wilderness Heals Reunion Hike! All current, past, and future hikers, their families, friends, and dogs are welcome.

Date: Sunday, September 13, 2009

Place: Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, Massachusetts (about 42 miles from Boston). Park at the Mount Wachusett Visitor Center off of Mountain Road (about one-quarter of a mile past the Ski Lodge area).

Trailhead meeting times: 9 a.m. for a 4- to 5-mile hike led by Jenn Guiry or 10:30 a.m. for a shorter 1- to 3-mile hike (leader to be determined).

Picnic at the top: Noon (details below)

Anyone who wants to join the picnic but does not want to hike can drive to the top of the mountain. Volunteers will transport all the food and supplies to the summit by car. (Of course, hikers are welcome to haul food in their packs if they need the extra challenge.)

Hiking routes: The exact hiking routes to the summit will be decided at the trailhead. However, plan on arriving at the top of Mount Wachusett by noon.

Food details: The Stone House will provide burgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers. A potluck for sides and desserts will be coordinated closer to the event.

Driving info:
The mountain access road is open to vehicles from Memorial Day through the last Sunday in October. To reach the summit, follow signs near the map kiosk near the trailhead.

Parking fees: $4 per car

Click here for directions.

Why Do You Hike?

In the video above, five-year hiking veteran Karin Downs explains why she became involved in Wilderness Heals.