This retreat is inspired by the spirit of Shannon Vits. Shannon and her mother Cindy O'Grady were participants in the 2023 Peter Estin retreat. Cindy is a past LBL participant and volunteer, but it was Shannon's first retreat. Both Shannon and Cindy had had a rare ovarian cancer that struck while they were still teenagers. Shannon loved the retreat, and was looking forward to recruiting more young adult survivors to join Live By Living events. Shannon shared Live By Living's philosophy that while cancer can be life-changing, our lives are not about cancer. Our lives are about learning to live by living. In holding this retreat for young adults survivors (40 and under) we are following Shannon's wishes.

The Peter Estin Hut is a beautiful, rustic log cabin located south of Eagle just below treeline It sits at 11,200 feet above sea level. The Peter Estin Hut is owned and managed by the Tenth Mountain Division Hut Association. It has 4 sleeping rooms (one loft area with 8 beds, 2 rooms each with a double bed, and a garden level room with 4 beds) and sleeps 16 people total. There is no electricity, and no running water. This cabin has an outhouse. You can read more about the Peter Estin Hut here.  

On Saturday, you will hike about 3 miles to reach the Peter Estin Hut, gaining about 1,860 feet along the way. (If you are unable to hike to the cabin, we can give you a ride in our truck). On Sunday, we will climb Charles Peak. The hike to Charles Peak is 2.5 miles round trip, with about 800' of elevation gain. Charles Peak is 12,073 feet above sea level! There's also an option for an easier hike closer to the cabin. On Sunday, we'll have a relaxing morning before hiking back to the trailhead in time for a late lunch in Eagle.

In between all that hiking, you'll have lots of time to make new friends with people who understand the journey you're on and enjoy the solace of nature. We will also fill you with healthy, gourmet food to fuel your adventures and tempt your palate (we provide dinner Saturday, 3 meals on Sunday, and breakfast Monday.)

HOW TO REGISTER OR JOIN THE WAIT LIST:

1) Click the signup button above. (If the retreat is full, the button will read "Join waitlist.") You will see a screen that says you can't sign up "until you submit the newly required form." Click the button that says "View required form" and then click on "2025 retreat registration form" to open the form.  Complete the 2025 retreat registration form. 

2) After you complete the retreat registration form and submit it, you will be back on this page.Click the signup button to complete your registration. Your registration is not complete until you do this. You will know you are done when the button changes from "signup" to "cancel signup." You will also get an email confirming your registration for the retreat.

3) You will get an email with a link to download a medical clearance form for your doctor to sign. Click the button in the email, and then download the form by clicking on the link on the web page. After your physician signs the form, you will need to upload it by logging in to your LBL account (use the login button at the top of any page of our website). The first screen you see will ask you for the form. We understand it will take time to have your physician complete the form. We ask that you upload the form at least 3 weeks before your retreat, if possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. You must submit this form to be allowed to attend the retreat.

4) You can register for other LBL events that don't require a medical form (like hikes, walks or on-line programs) while you are waiting to get the form from your physician. To get past the page telling you to upload the form, just click on the event calendar button. 

PLEASE NOTE:

1) If you are a survivor who wants to bring a caregiver (or vice-versa), the two of you must please register separately. Registering as a retreat participant does not automatically register the person you want to attend with. 

2) People on the waitlist often get to come on the retreat, provided they have submitted their physician's clearance form. Often, spots open up within a week of the trip. 

3) If you have been on a retreat before, you will not be able to register for this trip until 30 days before the retreat. We do this so as many people as possible have a chance to come on one of the retreats.

4) Retreats are free. However, we are unable to provide funding for travel.