Unsettled: Dolomites

Unsettled: Dolomites is a multi-sport adventure trip through Italy's Dolomites mountains. 

Most days, we hike from one hut to another in the mountains. This requires you to be in shape well enough to hike for 3 - 4 hours, several days in a row. The routes are considered moderate difficulty as an average day may cover approximately 10 - 12 kilometers and 500 - 600 meters in elevation gain. You will carry a medium-weight pack with a few changes of clothes, a sleeping bag liner, snacks, and water. 

You don't need to be an athlete, just in moderate shape and able to hike in the mountains for 3 - 5 hours in a day at a moderate pace. 

If you can hike for 3+ hours on a mountain trail at a moderate pace without over-exerting yourself,  then you're in the right place.

The trip is fully guided, and a good mix between a supported adventure and self-sufficiency. Most people on an Unsettled retreat are mid-career professionals with vast interests. Our average age of participants is mid-30s to mid-50s. We are a diverse community by profession, ethnicity, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, and more. The clear expectation is that everyone who joins is respectful of differences of diversity. We will not tolerate any form of prejudice or aggression towards individuals. This is a vacation for everyone after all, and everyone deserves adventure, growth, and connection in their lives! 

We've hosted CEOs and entrepreneurs, artists and designers, and people who are active, even experts, in everything from transcendental meditation to CrossFit, from Bikram yoga to kiteboarding, and from diving to flying. On any given day, however, most of us are content hanging out with each other, exploring new places, and trying new things. 

Since thinking big about our work and careers is one of the organizing principles of Unsettled, many participants are high achievers who organize major conferences, run businesses, or are recognized experts in their field. We have a lot of designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and startup enthusiasts on our trips.

So if you're in shape and looking to expand your perspective with a diverse community of professionals, apply today! 

This trip starts on Sunday, June 29th. We will pick you up in Verona, Italy at 11 am on the 29th and we will provide a shuttle back to Verona to get you to the train station by noon on July 5th. 

First and foremost, this trip is about fun!

This is an active trip, so be ready to have plenty of movement. It's part of the fun. It will also challenge you, no matter how good of shape you are in.

You will trek and hike and have the option to bike. You don't need any climbing experience, but you must be in pretty good hiking shape.

Most days will involve 2 - 3 hour hikes. Our longest two days will be 4 or a maximum of 5 hours with breaks and stops. The long days will ascend/descend around 900 meters in elevation difference. These days will be challenging as you'll also carry your backpack, but with a little effort, most able-bodied participants in average fitness will make it with a smile (and plenty of breaks). Start getting your steps and some challenging hikes in 3 weeks before the trip.  

This trip isn't designed for athletes, but you should be about to hike for a half day with 15-20 lbs in your pack.

You're in shape for this trip if you can:
- Hike for 3+ hours at a steady pace in mountainous terrain or
- Run for 20 minutes without stopping or 
- Participate in an hour-long, high-intensity exercise class at a gym

You will be able to keep pace with the group, which will be an average hiking pace.

Spend some free time in the last few weeks leading up to the trip getting some extra steps in by hiking, taking longer and longer walks, or jogging. 

There are only a few items that you need to make sure you have. 

A backpack big enough to carry 4 days worth of clothes, water, toiletries, and snacks. We recommend a 35 - 45 liter pack from your local outfitter. If you shop at a local outfitter, tell them what you plan to do and have them size your new pack for you. 

Good hiking boots. Boots that cover your ankles are needed (crampons may be needed on our hike). You don't need any special climbing equipment for the via ferrata; we'll provide everything. 

A sleeping bag liner, but not a full sleeping bag is needed. Just a fleece or silk style liner that you carry to the huts in your bag.

Activewear that you can layer. You're going to want to have a few outfits of activewear that you can layer based on the temperatures. Most likely you have the activewear you need for the hiking, biking, and climbing we do, just keep in mind you'll need a few outfits for our trek into the wilderness (no washers or driers where we are going). Bring a waterproof and breathable shell/jacket (we're mountain people on this trip and must go no matter the weather).

Lots of little things that can be purchased closer to the trip if you don't already have them (e.g. headlamps, water bottles, active socks, etc.). A full packing list will be sent out about 4 weeks before the trip!

If you buy a new backpack, shoes, etc. for the trip make sure to take everything for a trial hike or two to break things in.

Our accommodations will vary on the trip. All rooms are shared. In the huts, we share large rooms that have many beds. We love the setup of these huts and will share them with other hikers in the area.

The huts have only the essentials, but they will surprise you in some ways. On the one hand, you have to pay (~2 euro) for hot water showers; on the other hand, they have hot showers in the middle of the mountains! 

The food is always good; it's Italy. 

Roughing it comfortably may be the best way to think about it.