ARE YOU READY TO WANDER?

A Note from Jenn & Kerri

Hi Wanderer!

We hope you’re as excited as we are about our upcoming adventure! The weekend will be full of relaxation, connection and discovery — the perfect getaway. We’ve included everything you’ll need to know about the trip in this packet. Packing list, directions, park information — it’s all here!

We ask that you come as you are — there’s no right way to wander! We grant Wanderers and ourselves the right to be imperfect or nervous, and encourage a “challenge by choice” mentality — letting you decide when you’ll step outside your comfort zone, knowing it’s often rewarding when you do. We ask that you great all your fellow Wanderers with curiosity, generosity and mutual respect. By the end of the weekend, we want you to feel confident in newfound skills, your place in the outdoors and your part in this community. That’s what these trips are all about!

If you have any questions after reading this booklet, please don’t hesitate to reach out! See you very soon!

Our values & norms

  • At Wander Women, we ask that Wanderers embody these values and norms during your experience with us:

  • We do not tolerate racism, homophobia, transphobia or fatphobia. We aim to empower and create opportunities for all Wanderers outdoors.

  • We as guides assume good intent of all Wanderers, but if you experience something harmful or uncomfortable during your trip, please come to us.

  • Come authentically as you are, and celebrate how others come as well.

  • Embrace flexibility this weekend.

  • Be a steward of the land and each other.

  • Be open to entering into new relationships and experiences. 

Trip Details

About Hitchcock Nature Center

Nestled on the rugged western edge of Iowa's Loess Hills, Hitchcock Nature Center (HNC) currently consists of 1,268 acres located near the center of the globally significant Loess Hills landform. The Loess Hills harbor some of the largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa and provide refuge for plants and animals found nowhere else in the state. Hitchcock is open every day of the year for hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching, snow sledding, star gazing, or simply enjoying nature.

The Loess Hills of Iowa are a globally significant landform located along the eastern edge of the Missouri River Valley. Westerly winds carrying silt and glacial material from the floodplain were deposited into massive drifts. Following this deposition, periods of erosion sculpted the land into the steep ridges and rolling hills we see today. The Loess Hills are characterized by this rugged terrain and deep deposits of loess (60-200 feet deep). The unique nature of the Loess Hills landform enables it to support rare plants, animals, and biological communities. Source: Pottawattamie County Conservation

Arrival & Directions

We will be meeting at the Badger Ridge Trailhead at Hitchcock Nature Center at 4 pm. This is where your car will stay for the weekend. From there, we will help you pack up, distribute food and depart for night one’s campsite.

Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542

Please plan to arrive at the trailhead by 4 pm. If you have trouble finding us, please call or text Jess at 515-333-1533 or Karleia at 651-895-0746. Please note that service can be spotty at Hithcock, so please be prepared with directions.

If you for some reason cannot get ahold of the guides, please contact Joy at 515-783-7903, Jenn at 515-681-2083, or Kerri at 319-331-2486.

Meet your guides

A note on tipping

Tipping guides on Wander Women trips is not expected — however, if you were impressed with your guides and would like to show your appreciation through tipping, you’re welcome to do so! Typically, guides in the outdoor or travel industries rely (sometimes fully) on tips to make living wages, but at Wander Women we pride ourselves on fairly compensating guides for the hard work they do so that they don’t need to rely on tips. However, we know some participants have wanted to tip in the past. If you would like to tip your guides after the trip, you can bring cash with you or use common money exchanging apps like Venmo, PayPal, or CashApp (guide’s personal account handles will be provided!).

Packing list

PLEASE READ: Gear Rental

If you have chosen to bring your own gear instead of renting from us, you are expected to bring your own pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad and stove. If you do not have those items, please reach out to us ASAP about renting.

If you have chosen gear rental for your trip, all gear will be waiting for you on arrival day!

What YOU Bring 

Clothing

You’ll be carrying clothes in your backpack. Make sure they are quick drying and comfortable. Cotton is not recommended. It helps to pack items in ziplock baggies (1 gallon or bigger) to make packing tighter, cleaner, and waterproof. Stuff sacks work too. 

  • Rain gear (pants and coat – non-negotiable) 

  • 1 fleece/wool sweater 

  • Down jacket 

  • Broken-in hiking boots/shoes 

  • Camp shoes (easy to slip on and light) 

  • 2 pairs of wool/non-cotton socks 

  • 1 pair of pants – no jeans! 

  • 1 pair of shorts (Unneeded if pants are convertible) 

  • 2 T-shirts/tanks 

  • 1 pair long underwear (tops and bottoms, serves as pajamas or extra layers if cold during the day). 

  • Undergarments 

  • Bandana(s) 

Other items:

These items will be carried by you in your backpack on the trail. Keep it simple, light, and small! They will be transferred to the backpack provided by Wander Women. 

  • Personal 1st aid kit (small) (band aids and any personal meds you need) 

  • Personal hygiene kit (no shower) 

  • Small comb or hairbrush 

  • Hat and sunglasses 

  • Headlamp/small flashlight 

  • Bug spray and sunblock (small) 

  • Small pillow. A few options we love: 

  • Nemo Fillo Pillow 

  • Mountain Summit Self-Inflating Pillow 

  • Or you can choose to stuff one of your stuff sacks with extra clothing. We will demonstrate this method!

What We Bring  (So You Don’t Have To) 

  • ALL the food

  • Non Alcoholic Beverages

  • All other cooking gear and equipment

  • Water bottles and filters

  • Trowels and toilet paper

  • Hand sanitizer, lysol wipes, baby wipes

Personal Hygiene

There are no restrooms at our campsites or along the trail. This means we will be squatting in the woods! Your guides are experienced with this and have great tips. We also would like each of you to pack a small personal hygiene bag with the following items in it: 

  • Toothbrush and small toothpaste tube 

  • Deodorant 

  • Menstruation items (if you’ll be menstruating) 

  • Small package of personal wipes 

Itinerary

  • • 4 pm: Meet at Hitchcock and get packs ready to go

    • 5 pm: Hike to our backcountry campsite

    • Upon arrival at camp: Get camp set up, learn how to filter water, cook dinner, then relax around the fire!

    • 8 pm: Fire circle

    • 9 pm: Bed time!

  • • 7:30 am: Rise and shine for breakfast

    • 8:30 am: Pack day packs for big day hike exploring Hitchcock’s backcountry trails

    • 9:30 am: Depart for the trail

    • 12 pm: Lunch on the trail

    • 4:30 pm: Arrive at campsite and get settled in

    • 8 pm: Fire circle

  • • Rise and shine for backpacking breakfast & coffee

    • 8:30 am: Pack-up camp and hike back to parking area

*times on itinerary are approximate and depend on weather, group and other circumstances.

Menu

Choose your own eating adventure!

We will have a variety of backpacking meals to choose from the day of your trip. You’ll select your meals as we’re packing our packs and store them in your backpack. 

If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know ASAP so we can bring diet-friendly options. Meal options can be provided for all dietary preferences and restrictions. 

Let’s hit the trail!

We can’t wait to share this trip with you and experience nature’s beauty with such a great group. We hope you’re just as excited as we are for this trip — if you have any questions between now and arrival day, please reach out to us at hello@wanderwomenmidwest.com!

See you soon!