Meet Ruth Wharton | Wilderness Rite of Passage Guide

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ruth Wharton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruth, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
We saw a need for more accessibility in wilderness rites of passage programs. During these times, it seems more people are looking for places to retreat and connect with nature and themselves. To take the time to grieve and let go, celebrate, or transition to something new. We wanted to support activists and those from marginalized communities to have a place in nature to rest, recharge, and be nourished and held by the land. Moving away from a capitalistic model, we are offering donation based services calling in accessibility, reciprocity, and abundance.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Wild Mountain Wilderness Retreats provides a place to connect with the land and yourself, and our guides support you to return and contribute more fully to your community. We offer personal retreats, rites of passage programs, and guide trainings on traditional Ute land in the mountains of central Colorado. We also provide mentorship for mentees around the world. We offer several programs for marginalized communities, specifically for the Queer community and are now offering BIPOC specific programs. Our focus is to support accessibility for marginalized groups in wilderness programs and retreat opportunities. We realize that activists who are working so fiercely during these times, need a place to get away, recharge, and connect with the earth. Sharing their stories, all while being fed delicious and healthy food brings healing inside and out. Our donation based personal and small group retreats help provide such nourishing experiences. Trust in reciprocity and abundance is the one thing I have learned in starting this business. Moving away from a fee for service capitalistic model, has been both scary and exciting. It takes a lot of trust that the right combination of people will both benefit from and support our offerings. It has opened us to more generosity and we can meet each person who comes with genuine care and trust that they will provide what they are able to sustain our work and support accessibility for others. Daily gratitude practices as well as our own balance of hard work and self care goes a long way to keep us showing up with open arms to all who come to Wild Mountain.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We would definitely stay at Wild Mountain which is 45 minutes from Buena Vista, CO. We would spend a few days hanging out at Wild Mountain, talking in the yurt or under the pine trees, hiking around the land and up to the ridge to see the views of the numerous high mountain peaks. The Orgasmic Cafe at Wild Mountain would serve a lovely menu of Eggs Benedict, Green Smoothies, Farro salad, Pho, Roasted Veggies, Baja Fish Tacos, and many other delicious options. And we won’t forget the delicious vegan banana bread, or the succulent hot lava cake for desert. Jackie Pena, the most amazing massage therapist, may also come by for a visit and a massage under the aspen trees or in the warm yurt by the fire. And then there are the daily magnificent sunsets from our reclining chairs or outdoor clawfoot tub in the aspen grove. In the evenings, we will gaze up at our galaxy and billions of stars that blanket the sky, sitting around the fire talking, singing, or playing music. Depending on the season, we may snowshoe out into the National Forest following animal tracks from rabbits, coyotes, deer, mountain lion, and elk and listen to the silence of the land in the snow. There are also many hot spring in the area, Cottonwood, Mt. Princeton, and our favorite, Valley View, where we could go for a night or two and camp or stay in one of their rustic old mining cabins. The Roastery in Buena Vista serves up amazing coffee and there are food trucks in the summer with a delicious assortment of local beef burgers, falafels, gyros, and salads. On the weekend we may go by the farmers market or Lettuce Heads and get some local fresh greens. We may even catch some evening live music near the river and Surf Hotel which serves up lovely drinks on their deck overlooking the Arkansas River or visit the charming town of Salida and get a yummy burrito at Mo’s. And for an adventure we could raft through Browns Canyon or Mountain bike on the many trails in the area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have had the amazing support of so many elders in my life. The elder guides (Emerald North, Meredith Little, Steven Foster, Angelo Lazenka, and Silvia Talavera) at School of Lost Borders mentored me and supported me in my early 20’s. They believed in me and gave me opportunities to apprentice and guide at a young age.

Website: https://wildmountainretreats.org

Instagram: wildmountainretreats

Facebook: Wild Mountain Wilderness Retreats

Image Credits
2 orange flowers pic- Clement Wilson