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, September 15th. We will pick you up in Trento, Italy at 11 am on the 15th. Trento is about 3 hours from 3 major international airports (Venice, Milan, and Innsbruck) so you can fly and train into Trento the best way that works for you. Be at the Trento train station by 11 am on Sept 15th and we'll meet you there!

The trip ends on Saturday, September 21st. We will provide a transfer back to Trento at 9 am on Saturday, September 21st and you will arrive at the train station in Trento by 11 am. Your onward travels, back home or to your next destination, begin then and there. You are welcome to stay longer or leave earlier by arranging your transport for your onward travel. If you are free to stay Saturday and Sunday in Madonna di Campiglio (our base) then you will have a great time at a local music festival that weekend. 

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.

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

Most days will involve 2 - 3 hour hikes. Our longest days will be 4 or a maximum of 5 hours with breaks and stops.

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 40 - 55 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 shoes or boots. Don't overthink this one, but do bring a pair of trail shoes or boots that you are ready to be very active in. 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 have them to ourselves.

The huts have only the essentials, but they will surprise you in some ways. On the one hand, you have to pay (1 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. We're bringing along one of the region's better-known chefs for one of our nights in a hut.  

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