WONDER 2 & 3

BACKPACKING, WY

July 30-August 6 and August 6-14, 2022

Recap

The Wind River Range in Central Wyoming is a popular backpacking destination, famous for its soaring peaks, clear high alpine lakes, fly fishing and stargazing. On this trip, participants spent a week hiking five to seven miles a day deep into untouched remote wilderness, simultaneously deepening their capacity for wonder in the presence of breathtaking vistas!

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Participants’ Key Takeaways

  • My key take aways from WONDER were the bonding time I had with the rest of my cohort, and the many times for reflection that helped me feel closer to God and that helped me improve my faith

  • The silence of nature is not empty but full of life. There were no cars or highways, no buzz of electronics or radios playing. There was a peaceful silence, but it was not lacking something. It was full of something else. There was wind and water and the sense that the vast expanses were filled with depth and meaning. It is a fruitful silence and openness the leads beyond creation to the Creator.

  • Joy is present even in the midst of suffering. Seeing God in the vastness of nature is humbling. Spending time in silence is necessary to prayer. In our human state, we are vulnerable, so letting down our barriers and letting people know the real us is a growing experience. realizing the depth of the human person and how I am much more capable than I realized.

  • Gratitude and perseverance. Being grateful for all the things that we have in life. Also pushing through obstacles when we didnt feel like doing so.

  • Beauty can be experienced even under a heavy burden. This was true in the sense that we were carrying heavy backpacks, and especially at first, they were tiresome. However, it was because we were going out into the backcountry with them that we were able to see the incredible and vast views that we did. I think this is a lesson that is translatable to everyday life - even when it is hard, there is still beauty to see.

  • It was an amazing trip! It was quite difficult, but that was the point. I feel like I built character and came out of the trip as a better person. This was a great way to start my college journey!

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