Solo Treks

The North Pacific coast of Washington State, also known as the Shipwreck Coast, is a spot of vast and desolate beauty. Outcroppings and clusters of boulders hint at the coastline as it was shaped centuries ago. It is scattered with sea stacks and tidepools full of starfish and anemones, and it is often rainy or misty. This is where we go to learn about prayer and meditation.

An integral part of Gray Wolf's recovery program is developing a conscious contact with a higher power, a guiding force in our lives. But how do we learn to tap into that sense of connection in a world full of scheduled meetings, jobs, chores, and responsibilities? One way is to plan some time specifically for quiet contemplation. This is where Gray Wolf's Solo program comes in.

Solo treks are open to any resident who has completed a Gray Wolf Ranch group trek. A Solo provides an eddy of time for uninterrupted thought, in an environment so awesome that makes it difficult not to come face-to-face with a feeling of a greater power. While each resident is on his own, he is never far from Gray Wolf staff and is provided with the knowledge and equipment to be safe.

For some, a Solo is a time to make peace with impending graduation from the Gray Wolf Ranch program, for others it is their first attempt at being present with the groundswell of emotion that comes with early sobriety. For all, a Solo is a time to be alone, to experience the majesty of nature, to learn to depend on oneself, and to find peace with one's thoughts. A Solo is a powerful tool on the path to recovery.