ATTENDEE INFO
You can find all the information you need for the retreat on this page.
Please thoroughly review the packing list and ititnerary, make sure you have the essential backpacking gear, and complete your liability waiver!
Required for every attendee before the trip. Takes 2 minutes — covers liability, emergency contacts, and any medical info your guides need to keep you safe on the trail.
Make sure you have your essential backpacking gear before the trip. Rent from us at low cost, or get cheap on Amazon — some of the best deals you'll find anywhere.
(If you registered early and selected the free rental accommodation, you won’t need a tent.)
Everyday items you likely already own — clothing, toiletries, and a few trip essentials. Expect highs in the 80s during the day, lows in the 40s-50s at night, and swimming opportunities at camp.
Your day-by-day plan for the weekend, Friday to Sunday.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Your base price covers: Halaqas with Imam Yaseen Mahmoud, guided wilderness trekking, swimming, backcountry camp permits, all meals Friday through Sunday (Halal), and roundtrip group shuttle from the Bay Area.
You still need to take care of your own backpacking gear — we have easy our affordable options for you!
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Ibrahim Twist handles all logistics, route planning, safety, and operations. He has extensive backpacking experience in the Sierra Nevada and knows this terrain well.
Imam Yaseen Mahmoud leads the Islamic programming — a morning halaqa before we hit the trail each day and an evening halaqa at camp. The spiritual dimension of this trip is intentional, structured, and led by someone with real knowledge and presence.
Luke Frobase is a Wilderness Guide and Videographer. An Eagle Scout and Wilderness First Aid certified guide, Luke brings four years of backcountry guiding experience and lends both his trail expertise and his lens to capture the journey as it unfolds.
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MCC Masjid, Bay Area. 2:30 PM sharp on Friday July 17 — no exceptions. Returns to MCC by Sunday evening. Exact destination is not disclosed publicly — it's part of the experience.
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Young adult men, above 18 to mid-30s. Outside that range but feel called to this? Reach out and we'll talk.
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No problem — that's common, and easy to sort. You have two options for anything you're missing:
Rent from us (added to your base price):
Sleeping bag + sleeping pad — $48
Backpacking tent — $45
Backpacking pack — $50
Or buy cheap on Amazon and return it after the trip for a refund — basically free, and some of the best deals you'll find anywhere.
If renting from us, book by July 12th — gear can't be guaranteed for late bookings.
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No — but you need to be in reasonable shape. Saturday is a full day on trail with a loaded pack through Sierra Nevada terrain. If you can walk 3–7 miles comfortably, you can do this. Ibrahim sets a pace the whole group can sustain. Unsure if you're ready? Reach out before booking — we'd rather have that conversation upfront.
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Yes. The Emigrant Wilderness has established trails and no technical terrain. A wilderness first aid kit is on trail at all times. July is peak Sierra season — long days, stable weather, no snow. We plan every route with the group's ability in mind.
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30+ days before the trip: Full refund
20-29 days before the trip: 50% refund
14-19 days before the trip: 25% refund
Within 14 days of the trip: No refund
Once you book, we immediately commit to permits, shuttle, food, guides, and gear based on confirmed headcount. The closer to the trip date, the harder it is for us to recover those costs — which is why refunds decrease as the trip gets closer.
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Not really — most people don't realize black bears are naturally timid and avoid confrontation, unlike grizzlies. We store all food in bear canisters, and your guides carry clear protocols for any wildlife encounters. Sightings are rare, and when they happen, black bears typically want nothing to do with us either.
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A full packing list is shared after booking, but generally: lightweight clothing for warm days (highs in the 80s) and cool nights (lows in the 40s-50s), swimwear, and the usual camping essentials. Remember, only bring what you need — every pound matters when backpacking.
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Yes. All food on this trip is halal. Friday dinner and Saturday are fresh cooked big meals. Saturday meals on trail are pre-made but delicous and high-quality meals. If you have dietary needs or allergies, let us know at booking.
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No. One shuttle, one group, one departure time. There is no individual transport option. If a genuine emergency comes up, reach out and we'll work through it.
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All five prayers are observed as a group, led by Imam Yaseen on the trail and at camp. The Sierra Nevada has rivers, streams, and lakes throughout the route — clean water for wudu is accessible. Tayammum applies when water is not. Any fiqh questions on the trail — Imam Yaseen handles it.
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You'll have bathrooms available Friday, Saturday morning, and Sunday morning. The only stretch without facilities is Saturday morning through Sunday midday, once we're deep in the wilderness — real backpacking. It's simpler than people expect, and mostly just a precaution — we'll walk through it together before we head out.
If you'd like to bring your own gear for that window, it's easy and inexpensive to put together — see our packing list for a few optional recommendations.
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We have a clear emergency protocol — stabilize, assess, and contact Tuolumne County Search and Rescue if evacuation is needed. Emergency contacts are collected from every participant at booking. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, let us know confidentially in advance so we can be prepared.
We won't have cell reception in the backcountry, but we carry a Starlink device for emergency text messaging — so family back home can still reach us, or we can reach out, if needed.
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Full payment is required at booking — no deposits, no holds. Spots for this trip are limited, and booking yours means someone else may have been turned away to hold it for you. All logistics (permits, shuttle, food, gear) are locked in based on confirmed headcount, so cancellations within two weeks of the trip are non-refundable, as costs are already committed and can't be recovered.
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Saturday's hike in is the bigger push: about 5.5 miles with roughly 1,600 ft of elevation gain, taking 3-4 hours. Sunday's return hike is much easier — same 5.5 miles, but mostly downhill along the river with only about 135 ft of gain, taking 2-3 hours.
Beginner-friendly overall, but come ready for a real trekking day on Saturday.
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Yes — this is backcountry fishing, so you'll be carrying your rod into the wilderness with you, camping right alongside remote rivers most people never get to fish. If you love fishing, bringing a rod takes this trip to another level — it's about as exclusive an experience as it gets. The brown trout out here are some of the most prized and best-tasting around, and you're welcome to cook and eat what you catch.
A California fishing license isn't included with the trip — you'll need to get your own. A one-day license is $21.09, or the full 365-day resident license is $64.54 if you think you'll fish again later in the year. Licenses can be bought online through CDFW or at most sporting goods stores.
There's also a store right at the trailhead where you can pick up a license, rod, lures, and anything else you need — so if you'd rather decide once we're out there, that's an easy option too.
Have questions? Contact us now.
We respond quickly!