Journey FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions

How fit do I need to be?
Lead Feather's journeys are mildly to moderately strenuous, so you will need to be in relatively good shape to participate. Dependant on the journey, you may need to be able to carry a 35 pound backpack, hike, and sleep in a tent (on a camping pad); sometimes while at high desert altitudes above 5,000 vertical feet. We are teachers, so no previous backpacking, camping, rafting, or camping experience is necessary-just a willing mind and reasonably able body. Please contact us if you have questions about the activity level or if you would like a more detailed explanation of the program.

Can Lead Feather offer a customizable trip for my group?
Absolutely! Lead Feather is happy to create a journey that is specifically created for your group. Please visit our Custom Journeys page for more information.

What should I bring?
Once you register for a journey your Lead Feather guides will send you a very specific packing list, which changes based on the journey location and anticipate weather. In general, pack light, but plan to bring layers. We do many of our ceremonies in the evenings and have experienced weather as low as 30 degrees.

In terms of gear, we will provide a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and backpack (for backpacking journeys). Other gear you should plan to bring include a headlamp, water bottles, a day-backpack for day-hikes and excellent (broken-in) hiking boots.

Do I need to know how to camp?
No. We have successfully introduced many people to camping and turned them into converts by the end of the week. We will provide everything a beginning camper will need to know upon registration.

What kind of food will there be?
Our philosophy at Lead Feather is that camping and good food go together, and there is no substitute for eating healthy, nutritious, and professionally prepared food in the backcountry. In addition to providing great meals, our chefs will also gladly meet any special dietary needs. (Just let us know in advance.)

How many people will be on the journey with me?
Our adult journeys range from 8-12 participants, while the family journeys will have up to 16-18 people, or 5-7 families. In addition our base camp ranges from 6-9 people, depending on the journey.

Who are our guides?
Each journey is staffed with at least two Lead Feather professionals and usually three Native Americans, often from more than one tribe. Our Native American guides partner with us because they share our vision of a world where we all collaborate to make positive cultural and environmental progress.

We always have at least one guide who has Wilderness First Response certification in conjunction with current CPR / First aid training.

Will there be cell phone service where we hike?
Typically there is no cell phone service where we lead our journeys - and being disconnected from civilization and our daily lives is part of what getting out into the wilderness is all about. Our guides will have one satellite phone for emergency use and you can provide that phone number for people at home.

What if there's an emergency?
Each journey will have at least one, often two or three, base camp staff trained in CPR in conjunction with Wilderness First Responder. You're in good hands.

Why does Native American tradition play such a key role in Lead Feather journeys?
Native American traditions are very much based on their relationship with the earth. One way to get more balance and clarity in our lives is to strengthen our connection to the earth. By using Native American ways we are able to try something new and learn new ways of developing ourselves.

Which tribes are represented in the journeys?
One of Lead Feather's founding members is from the Ojibwa tribe in Michigan, and many of his relatives take part in our journeys. On our southwest journeys Navajo tribespeople are our guides. We also have the Oneida tribe represented on some of our journeys. In our journeys where we have people from different tribes we take the opportunity to have them share specific ceremonies from their own tribes, to share both with whites and other Native Americans alike.

What about my question that you've yet to answer?
Don't hesitate to contact us. We are happy to take the time to answer any questions you may have about our journeys, organization, and programs.