Nowwhat Guiding Philosophy

We invite you to join us in the practice of Frilutsliv, the “free living in the open air” style of travel. It will likely involve stepping out of your comfort zone; out of what is known and predictable. Cell phones and watches stay behind. We practice map and compass navigation, cook from scratch on an open fire, bathe and wash clothes in the river without soap, and tell the time and directions by the sun. As you experience the gifts and beauty of the natural world, you will embrace the wind, rain, cold water, and hot sun. You will begin to see nature as a gentle guiding force, rather than an adversary, and begin drawing inspiration and strength from living with the four elements. As you practice living simply with limited material possessions, you will begin to recognize that the fewer physical belongings you have, the less time you take to manage them, and the more time is left to observe nature and develop meaningful connections with others! Spending extended time in nature is healing, centering, and nourishing for the human soul and spirit.

Our expeditions are accessible to most, regardless of your outdoor living experience. Every itinerary describes the level of physical challenge required from participants. In addition, we ask you to take the emotional risks of embracing a group of strangers, being vulnerable while sharing in a circle, practicing active listening, and giving and receiving feedback. We offer the opportunities for appropriate risk-taking, such as cliff diving and slot canyon exploration, but you decide which risks and how much of them you are ready to take on.

Unlike most guided experiences, we encourage you to take an active part in the life of our small expedition community by pitching in for the well-being of the group; be it keeping the fire, setting the tents, helping cook the meals, or navigating. If you are interested, we will teach you our practices of living in nature, with an eye on helping you to develop the skills to embark on self-guided journeys with your friends and family.

Nowwhat Guiding Philosophy