Yes! Whether it’s your first time backpacking or you’ve logged hundreds of miles in the backcountry, this trip is for you. The WHOA team is here to make sure you feel prepared and comfortable with gear choices, orient everyone to Lost Coast specific tips and tricks, and give you the resources you need to train and pack properly. 

A lot of the gear you’ll need for this backpacking trips is provided at no extra cost! This includes a 2-person tent, 60-65 L backpack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad. (You’re also welcome to bring your own if you already own it and it's up to the standards you'll need for this trip.) We’ll also supply and prepare all the food and purified water you'll need throughout the hike. 

This hike takes grit, will and is by no means easy, but honing and learning the skills to backpack in the backcountry, and the reward of being immersed in pristine nature make it more than worth the hard work! Not to mention, having the support of the WHOA team and community by your side, will make it fun and full of laughter!

Going on a WHOA trip can be life changing! We create a fun and supportive atmosphere where it is safe to stumble while we all learn together. Not to mention, our women-powered team takes care of ALL the permits, planning, and trip details (like including tips for the guides and gear like tents, sleeping bags and mats, and backpacks), so that you can focus on the hike and enjoying the experience!

Backpacking in the backcountry will leave you with a serious sense of accomplishment and new skills, and also connected with nature in a way you can only do by disconnecting. We intentionally designed these trips to be long weekends so you can fit this much needed and deserved “me time” into your busy schedule. Whether it’s a reunion trip for WHOAlums or you’re new to the community, we can’t wait to share this experience with you!

On every WHOA trip, the majority of our groups are made up of solo travelers. The greatest thing about WHOA is that we might start the journey as strangers , but we leave as family! If you're traveling solo, we'll thoughtfully pair you up with another solo traveler to room/tent with throughout the adventure. Odds are you’ll leave this trip with several lifelong adventure buddies!

A once in a lifetime adventure requires adequate training, and we think preparing is actually part of the fun of taking on a challenge like this! One of the best ways to train is to get out there and hike as much as possible, and to start wearing and breaking in the boots and backpack you plan on bringing (or something similar if you plan on using one of the provided backpacks). This helps prevent blisters and get your shoulders, back and hips used to the points of contact and weight. As you’re training, continually add weight to your backpack, working your way up to the ~30 lbs you’ll be carrying on this adventure.

Lastly, remember, it’s all up here - mental fortitude is just as important as physical strength! Be ready to embrace the changing conditions of this rugged coastline and go with the flow (literally) as our daily timing and mileage will depend on ocean tides. Bottom line, the more physically AND mentally prepared you are the more you’ll be able to enjoy getting to know your fellow adventurers and taking in all the amazing views!

If you’d like some additional expert guidance on training, we recommend reaching out to Adventure Coach Becki Rupp at Trailblazer Wellness who can put together a personalized training plan just for you.

The Lost Coast Trail can be hiked year round thanks to California’s temperate climate. That said, spring and fall are considered the best seasons with less rain and milder temperatures. We love to do late spring (hello wildflowers!) and early fall to avoid the summer crowds while still increasing our chances for better weather. Not to mention, all our dates for this trek are carefully and expertly selected by the tide chart to make sure we don’t get caught in impassable zones during high tide!

Food in the backcountry is not only important sustenance but can also be a morale booster on tough trail days; which is why we take food seriously! You can expect three meals a day, consisting of food that is lightweight, high calorie, and easy to prepare. We can accommodate food for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and/or dairy free people, so make sure you let us know on your HUB before the adventure. If you have any specific questions or concerns about the meals and meal prep, feel free to reach out to us!

Yes, permits are required, but one of the perks of hiking with WHOA is that we take care of ALL the permit logistics and paperwork, so you can focus on training and mentally preparing for this awesome trek!