This past weekend, I traded my laptop for a harness and helmet—and I couldn’t be more grateful I did.

After wrapping up a board meeting in San Francisco, I hopped on a flight to Palm Springs to join She Moves Mountains for their climbing and yoga retreat in Joshua Tree. I’d read about the organization—female-led, empowering, and expertly run—but nothing could have prepared me for just how incredible the experience would be.

From the moment I landed, I felt completely taken care of. Subaru, a retreat partner, was a huge part of that. They provided comfortable, stylish rides from Palm Springs to the Joshua Tree Crash Pad (our basecamp for the weekend) and shuttled us into the park each day for climbing. But they didn’t stop there—they surprised us with thoughtful touches that made the weekend feel extra special. Every ride was stocked with cold beverages (think seltzer and coconut water!) and snacks, and they even gifted us little welcome bags filled with goodies like a microfiber towel to use at the crag. The Subaru team was warm, welcoming, and fully embraced the spirit of the retreat—they truly went above and beyond to make everyone feel cared for.

I was picked up by Lana, a member of Subaru’s marketing team who volunteered her weekend to support the event—an amazing woman and such a great ambassador for the brand. After picking me up, we swung by to grab another guest, Brittany. As two solo travelers, we immediately bonded—turns out we’re both New Yorkers, both climb at The Cliffs (yep, the same gym), and had both just come from business trips in SF. It was the first of many serendipitous connections that weekend.

We stopped to grab dinner and then arrived at the Crash Pad, where I settled into my cabin. I was a little nervous about sharing space with a stranger, but my cabin-mate Hannah turned out to be warm, easygoing, and relaxed—instantly putting me at ease.

That evening, we joined the welcome circle and instantly felt the warmth of the group—women from all walks of life brought together by a shared love for climbing, nature, and community.

Friday: Our First Day of Climbing!

We kicked off Friday with breakfast on the patio—fruit, yogurt, granola, and bagels—before heading into the park for our first day of climbing. The She Moves Mountains guides were phenomenal: supportive, knowledgeable, and completely tuned in to each climber’s experience. We even had a mini crack climbing clinic to ease into the unique style Joshua Tree is known for.

After a full day on the rock, we returned to camp for yoga, followed by dinner and fireside chats. It felt like summer camp. I crawled into bed happily exhausted, but it was still early—so Hannah and I chatted for a bit before calling it a night.

Saturday: Magical Moments

Saturday brought more climbing, but with a luxurious twist—Katie, one of the guides, had pre-rigged routes so we could get on the rock faster. It was another perfect day under the sun, filled with magical moments.

After climbing several routes, I decided to try one that was above my grade—a 5.10d with a roof pull. As I struggled through the crux, I heard this amazing chanting in the background—my entire group was cheering me on. It was so infectious that even the guy on the route next to me joined in. Their voices lifted me, and I found the strength to push through.

Then came a classic small-world moment: at the same crag, I ran into a guide I’d hired years ago—who, it turns out, is now the partner of one of the She Moves Mountains guides. Wild.

We got back a little early and had some free time to unwind. I sat on a swing and made a phone call while others opted for a cold plunge. Then we regrouped for yoga to stretch out our climbing-worn bodies before dinner and a heartfelt closing circle.

Despite being tired, a few of us decided to rally and head back into the park that night to stargaze – what an amazing night sky, filled with stars!

Sunday: Soaking It In

Sunday was our final day of climbing. Even though we’d only been together a few days, the group had become a little family. We supported each other on the wall, shared stories, and squeezed every last drop out of the experience. After saying our goodbyes, Subaru whisked me back to Palm Springs—cold seltzer in hand—in time for my flight: tired, sore, but full in every way that matters.

Summary

It was such an incredible weekend. Whether you’re an experienced climber or brand new to the sport, She Moves Mountains brings together an amazing group of people and creates space for you to grow, connect, and feel deeply supported.

And a huge shoutout to Subaru for making every mile of the journey—from the airport to the crag—feel just as meaningful as the destination.