Contemplative
Climbing Retreat
A curious exploration of fear
Happening again in 2026 😉
The invitation
This retreat offers you a unique chance to experience the joy and adventure of rock climbing and the richness of being together in wild nature, while deep diving into a somatic exploration of fear.
Held by the land, and supported by an intimate and like-hearted group, we’ll use the climbing rocks as our playground for self-inquiry.
The mountains are calling
Welcoming us for a week of vertical dances, and intimate rock explorations. Deepening the connection with our selves, the earth and eachother.
- For the curious and the daring who want to deepen their understanding of fear, not just from an intellectual point of view, but as a lived experience
- For experienced climbers who want to explore a different relationship with rocks: less about reaching goals and more about deepening presence
- For those who would like to be more bold on the rocks – and in life
Prior climbing experience will be helpful, but is not necessary to participate fully in this retreat.
A curious exploration of fear
We can do this in our daily lives. We can read about it, talk about it, or work through it with a therapist. Or we can bring ourselves, quite intentionally, into a scary place, to meet fear, head on.
To feel what it does in our body.
To see how it changes the way we look at the world.
To watch how it influences our behavior.
This is the proposition.
To get up close to our fear. Uncomfortably close, and explore it, taste it, smell it. So that we may become well acquainted, and perhaps even start to change our relationship with it. From an “oh god not again”, to a “hey you, I know you”.
The dreaded fear may never disappear, but it may become our dear friend or ally, if we allow it.
Nourishment
for body, mind and soul
- Guided meditations and yoga
- Learn how to safely climb and belay, from a certified and experienced climbing guide
- Learn a somatic approach to curiously explore emotions and the body
- All the other good stuff: Sleeping outdoors, singing songs around the fire, swimming in the river, wandering the mountain.
The place
Rochebaudin, France
Surrounded by wild nature and rolling hills.
We will reside at a beautiful house, that sits at the foot of a mountain, and overlooks the valley below. From here we have easy access to our research facilities and playgrounds: The rocks 😉
Access: Easiest by car or train. We encourage ridesharing together. By train we recommend you go to Valence TGV, one of us can pick you from there.
Some words about us
We are Ludo and Ludo, two great friends, two curious beings on their journey through life. Nature keeps bringing us together it seems, as well as our passion for movement, and curiosity for this wonderful mystery we call life.
We have been dreaming about this retreat for some years now, and so it is with great joy that we can finally share this with you :).
We feel a strong call to go on this unique exploration together, to meet you where you are at, and guide you into a deeper connection with yourself.
Ludo, Dutch
Dancer, wild man
- 10+ years of outdoor climbing experience
- Somatic bodyworker
I grew up spending my summers in this area, and it’s probably my most favorite place on earth. It’s where I first discovered mountains, wild nature and climbing. These places of wild, unspoiled nature, surrounded by rocks and mountains are where I feel most myself. I have been dreaming about creating a retreat around climbing, meditation and inner work for several years, and I’m very exited – and also working through some fear – to be finally doing this.
For the last years I have been going on a deep dive into the world of the body, studying massage, craniosacral therapy, contact impro and somatics.
I now feel ready to explore climbing with you from a new perspective.
Ludo, French
Musician, dreamer, tree lover
- Certified yoga teacher
- Parkour teacher
- Ceremonial guide
I have many passions in life, but the common factor that bridges all of them is the passion to share my experience and insights with other human beings. I’ve always had this genuine excitement for learning and teaching, driven by a need to awaken something in me. Amongst other practices, Meditation, Yoga, and Tree Climbing have been very powerful in deepening my understanding of the relationship mind-body. I am looking forward to share myself with you, and writing this, I am rejoicing in the idea of exploring the fundamental question of fear together.
Tom, our local climbing guide
Climbing master, handpan enchanter
- Certified climbing guide
- 15+ years of experience teaching outdoor climbing
Tom will be providing the material and experience to get on the rocks safely. He has many years of experience as a certified climbing and canyoning guide in the area. He is part of a team that builds climbing gyms around the world, and also made a small bouldering gym at his house. If we’re lucky he might play some wonderful music with his handpan.
Fresh meals, fresh bodies
Good and simple
We will be cooking vegetarian meals for dinner. We’ll be right in the middle of harvesting season, so that means fresh produce. We plan to cook with as much as possible local and organic products. There will be a simple breakfast with oats and fruits. Lunch at the rocks might be bread, cheeses and some veg. Prepared meals for dinner.
Cooking & cleaning together
In the name of community living, we ask that all participants help out in the kitchen a few times, either by cooking or cleaning. We’ll be working together as a team ;).
How does it sound?
Are you up for an adventure?
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