Alumni Spotlight: Beth Featherstone
Beth Featherstone is passionate about her family and time in the wilderness. The passing of her uncle, a spitting image of John Muir in both looks and heart, inspired annual family horse-packing trips that bring together everything Beth loves most—a trip she draws enjoyment from all year long…
“I laugh more that week than I do all year!”
She was disappointed when life events disrupted this year’s expedition. Admittedly, she could have booked something similar in its wake—a camping trip, time at a remote rental or ranch, or something similar—but Beth had read about Mountain Trek in a publication years back, and was compelled by the opportunity to experience something deeper than just immersion into nature. Beth knew she needed a health reset, so she seized the moment and booked a week…and got exactly what she was looking for.
Who Is Beth Featherstone?
I walked away from a high-powered marketing career to be a Mom and care for my critically ill brother. Being a Mom is what I was meant to do. I have never looked back.
My love of the outdoors came from my Uncle Ben, who I honestly thought was John Muir when I was a little kid. He had 8 horses – mostly Appaloosas, as they are the favored breed of the Nez Perce Indians who are great horsemen and women. He loved the Sierra Nevada Mountains and would take his horses up for an entire summer when his teaching job was on break and just live off the land. When he died, my family began taking a horse-packing trip every year to his favorite meadow near Emigrant Lake, where we scattered his ashes. It’s my favorite trip of the year for the wilderness and the family time. It is soul-cleaning for all of us.
What was your thought process when signing up for a health retreat? Why Mountain Trek?
I’d gained weight and was stressed out after a horrible year; my best friend died of cancer, my Mom got hit by a car that came through the front window of a shop she was in, and my son—a professional soccer player in Poland—had to cut his dreams short after a career-ending foot injury. I needed to step back and focus on getting healthy, and I liked that Mountain Trek promised a reset. It was exactly what I needed
What was your top takeaway from your time at the health retreat?
How far good calories can go….that feeding yourself more nutrient-dense calories means you need fewer of them, and how when timed right, your energy levels balance so you never feel hungry and low on energy, or over-stuffed and inflamed from excess blood sugar.
What’s your favorite memory of Mountain Trek?
I really enjoyed sitting around the table at dinner and getting to know the other guests and sharing aspects of our stories and the day’s activities with one another.
Has Mountain Trek changed the trajectory of your life?
I’m working hard to be more mindful of the choices I make and to be accountable. I decided my new mantra would be, “I’m a woman who makes healthy choices”. I liked Mountain Trek’s emphasis on meeting your goals by focusing on just one thing you can realistically commit to at that time. Program Director, Kirk (Shave), pushed people hard not to be too grandiose, “…start with something you can stick to and go from there”. My commitment was to sit at my dinner table 4 nights a week and eat without distraction. For the most part, I have stuck with it.
If you had one extra hour each day, what would you spend that hour doing?
Reading, there is never enough time, and there are too many great books.
Who inspires you and why?
My Mom – she’s 93, and she is a spitfire. She walks a mile every day and is up for doing just about anything. Her motto is, “Don’t let the old lady in.” She is slowing down a bit, but lives independently and is a model for how I’d like to be if God willing, I live that long.
Do you have a favorite quote?
“Not all who wander are lost.”
If you could invite one person, living or dead, over for a dinner party, who would that be and why?
My Dad, who passed 30 years ago. We had a difficult relationship, and we left a lot unsaid-what I wouldn’t do to right that wrong.
Where is your favorite hike in the world? What makes it so special?
I love hikes in Mount Rainier National Park. Anytime the clouds part, the hikes are magical. My favorite is the Naches Peak Loop, with a side trip to Dewey Lake. It’s best in fall when the leaves are turning. I also like to hike in Joshua Tree National Park, which is near my desert home.
What is the most thrilling moment in your life?
Running the entire Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in a dory boat. Crystal Rapid was exhilarating and terrifying – the definition of an E-Ticket.
What is something you could never go hiking and/or traveling without?
My hiking poles, and enough water! I’ve helped no less than 3 people get medical help while hiking in the desert because they got dehydrated.
What advice would you give to future Mountain Trekkers?
Don’t think – just do it!
Beth’s optimism, tenacity, and enthusiasm are inspiring and magnetic.
Thank you, Beth, for sharing your story and experience of Mountain Trek, and for inspiring us and those around you to savor the endless joys of nature.
What is Mountain Trek?
Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:
