Trail Difficulty: moderate to Difficult

Experience breathtaking views across some of Colorado’s most beautiful national parks on a week-long walking trip, with panoramic mountain paths and forest walks. This hike will allow us access to gorgeous remote nature - woods, meadows, lakes, and waterfalls - while hiking inn-to-inn around Estes Park, Colorado.

“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” - Brene Brown

What to Expect

A select group of 12 people will recharge while being offline - walking and wandering in small groups through the picturesque backdrop of Estes Park, Colorado. These 12 will identify a topic and then swap insights, perspectives and/or stories when a line of thought has run its course. The path we follow will take us through various trails exploring the mountains, forests, and valleys in the Colorado Rockies. The trails themselves will guide interactions: the path will narrow to restrict a discussion to a single pair of walkers who can fit together on the trail. And later, as larger spaces open up, the path will allow for us to regroup, slow down, and take stock of our surroundings.

Ideas tend to flow more freely in a Walkshop than they would around a conference table. People are more inclined to ‘think outside the box’, and come up with fresh and radical insights and innovations when they go off the grid for a few days. And by the second day of the hike - the normal inhibitions and pretense all melt away while you focus on the trail, your destination, your companions, and yourself.

We hope you can attend in Fall 2021 to gain new insights and build new connections.

Trip Details: October 10-16, 2021

Ticket Cost: $2,999

Your price includes:

• Stay in quaint, modest historical mountain lodges in the greater Estes Park region

• Relax in private bedrooms (some inns and lodges have shared bathrooms)

• Enjoy breakfast and packed lunches daily

• Take advantage of shuttles and bag transfer between inn locations

• Engage in daily facilitated discussions and a highly interactive workshop

• Gain access to the Global Walkshop community (online portal, slack workspace, etc). The learning and engagement doesn’t stop when you’re off the trail - it’s just that start of your engagement with this community of executives, designers, authors, speakers, and hikers.

Curriculum: Daring Leadership

Dare to Lead was named one of the best books of the year by Bloomberg.

“Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and processes and has the courage to develop that potential.  

When we dare to lead, we don't pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don't see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don't avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it's necessary to do good work.”

How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you foster a more courageous culture in your team/ organization?

Our Facilitator

Cathy Ach is the Founder and President of Learning Paradigms, a management consulting and coaching firm specializing in the design and facilitation of strategic planning, leadership development and organizational effectiveness.

Her focus is to inspire and enable leaders to perform at the highest possible levels while achieving sustainable growth. Cathy is most passionate about connecting with people, hearing their story and helping them reach their full potential.

Before starting her company in 2000, Cathy spent almost 20 years working in three global organizations designing and implementing business processes to help leaders formulate strategy, build capabilities/ competencies, and navigate change. She is a certified coach and has collaborated with hundreds of leaders across a wide range of companies including Baxter Healthcare, Ernst & Young, W.W. Grainger, Walgreens, Takeda Pharmaceuticals and United Airlines.

She loves to “walk the path” with leaders and their teams to assist them in crafting their mission/ vision, mapping out goals and measures, aligning on core values and unleashing talent. 

Agenda

Sunday, Oct 10th: Arrive in Estes Park
Arrive, unpack, and get accustomed to your surroundings. We'll stay near downtown Estes Park, a wonderful mountain town with quaint shops and plenty of access to the outdoors. Be ready in time for our Welcome Dinner at 6:30pm where we’ll get to know each other and get prepped for the week.

Monday, Oct 11th: 7.5 Mile Point-to-Point Hike at Deer Mountain
Our hiking begins slightly outside of Estes Park at Deer Mountain, where we’ll have views of the Front Range to the southwest and Estes Park to the east. Walkers will enjoy the quiet solitude of the North Deer Mtn Trail which seldom sees much traffic. We’ll circle the mountain before climbing a final ridge and descending on the lower flanks of the North Deer Mtn Trail. In the distance are the high Rocky Mountains and your next four days of hiking.

Topic focus: Exploring aspects of how vulnerability, shame and empathy show up in your work

• Distance: 7.5 miles

• Elevation Gain: 2,444 ft.

• High Point: 10,013 ft.

• Difficulty: Moderate

Tuesday, Oct 12th: 9-10.5 Mile Point-to-Point Hike at Storm Pass
On this day, we leave the Estes Valley and make our way south over Storm Pass to the higher elevations of the Tahosa Valley. Elevation gain for the day is just over 2600 feet in 9 miles, so taking it slow and steady is important. If you’ve got the energy, there’s an opportunity to climb Estes Cone from the Pass which will add another additional 700 feet of elevation gain. Views, views, views. The trail then descends to Lily Lake and our lodge for the night.

Topic focus: Establishing and living by your personal values

• Distance: 10.5 miles with Estes Cone, 9 miles over the pass

• Elevation Gain: 2,600 ft to the Pass, 3,300 ft. to the Cone

• High Point: 10,300 ft. at the Pass, 11,006 ft. at the Cone

• Difficulty: More Difficult

Wednesday, Oct 13th: Daring Leadership Workshop
On this day, we’ll take a break from the trail to rest our legs and catch our breath. We’ll spend the day doing group work and dedicated discussion lead by our facilitator, Cathy Ach.

Topic focus: In this workshop, we will explore the unique link between vulnerability and authenticity. When exploring daring leadership, vulnerability comes first as the foundation for everything else. Understanding these core principles will provide the big UNLOCK for our leaders so we can more fully embrace all aspects of courageous leadership.

• Distance: None. We’ll stay at the mountain lodge on an “inner hike” for this day’s workshop.

• Workshop: 10:30am - 4:30pm

Thursday, Oct 14th: 10 Mile Point-to-Point Hike at Twin Sisters
On our third day of hiking, we shuttle to the trail head at Twin Sisters. If you’re ready to see forever, you’ll love this hike.  The trail rises gradually with switchback upon switchback to treeline.   The last 1/2 mile is open, rocky tundra.  From the top, Longs Peak looms large to the west and the Colorado plains stretch out to Kansas to the east.  Return at your own pace to our lodge for the night.

Topic Focus: Watch out for common pitfalls of perfectionism, fear and self-judgment. Learn to build trust, accountability and integrity.

• Distance: 10 miles

• Elevation Gain: 2,338 ft.

• High Point: 11,428 ft.

• Difficulty: More Difficult

Friday, Oct 15th: 7.9 Mile Point-to-Point Hike at Wild Basin
This is a splendid day with a great system of trails and over-the-top rewards awaiting your arrival at our next lodge. The trail follows a rushing torrent to beautiful Calypso Cascade. At this point, walkers have the option of a side-trip to Ouzel Falls. Then it’s one more uphill climb out of the basin and over the ridge before the last push home. As you make this final ascent, don’t forget to turn around and soak in some of the best views in the world.

Topic focus: Learn to rise after a fall. When daring to lead courageously, you will occasionally fail, stumble and fall. Learn how to handle anxiety and grief, embrace forgiveness, and rise back up to the next challenge.

Our closing dinner will be at 7pm at our lodge, where we’ll recap our experience and relive all of the wonderful memories made over the past week.

• Distance: 7.9 miles

• Elevation Gain: 1.800 ft.

• High Point: 9,472 ft.

• Difficulty: Moderate

Saturday, Oct 16th: Head home
Time to say our goodbyes to our group and head back to reality. No scheduled activities for the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included in my ticket purchase?

• Stay in quaint, modest mountain lodges in the greater Estes Park region

• Relax in private bedrooms (some lodges have shared bathrooms)

• Gain access to the Global Walkshop community (online portal, slack workspace, etc). The learning and engagement doesn’t stop when you’re off the trail - it’s just that start of your engagement with this community of executives, designers, authors, speakers, and hikers.

Airfare and transport to and from Estes Park will be your responsibility.

What will we be eating along the way?

Breakfasts and lunches will be supplied by our hotels and lodges each day. Special dietary needs can be accommodated. Each evening, we will have dinner at a local restaurant.

What should I pack for the trip?

• Backpack that can get wet and survive

• Phone charger and converter

• Journal

• Good pens

• Snacks

• Lots of extra socks

• Good hiking shoes (plus an extra pair of shoes)

• Rain gear and extra clothing. Dressing in layers allows you to adjust to changing weather and activity levels. Two rules: avoid cotton (it keeps moisture close to your skin) and always carry a hat

• Spare plastic bags (keep things dry)

• Sunscreen and sunglasses

• Bug spray

• Compass

• Band-Aids (in case you get blisters)

• First aid kit

• Flashlight

• Whistle

What will the weather be like?

Typically in October, Estes Park has highs in the 50s (F) and lows in the 30s (F). There is a possibility of snow.

How should I train / prepare for the hike?

The hike in Estes Park is relatively difficult for folks not conditioned to hiking longer distances in the mountains. We will be at altitude (Estes Park itself is at 7500’) and will gain and lose elevation with every hike.

Everyone should start an exercise routine several months before our trip and start increasing the amount of physical activity they experience in a typical day in anticipation of the experience. If possible, try to train in higher elevations, and/or get to Colorado a few days early, to help your body grow accustomed to the altitude.