_ed.png)
july 9-12, 2026 SOLD OUT
telluride, colorado
creative connections
a backcountry retreat to ignite your inner artist
discover the primal pathways within through artistic movement and expression
Let wilderness be the backdrop as you discover your inner artist. Tap into your creativity to craft a life that is deep and meaningful.
Creativity lives within all of us, but it can be hard to access without practice. When we open ourselves up to creatively thinking, looking, and being, we open a channel to more clarity- bringing us closer to a passionate and colorful life.
Join us in the backcountry for a weekend of primal joy! Disconnect to reconnect to your creative core!
the details
the creative journey
Gear up for a joyous weekend of awe and inspiration! Let the mountainous backdrop of the San Juans lead you to your deepest realms of creation.
movement
All movement is intentionally curated and creatively sequenced to help you discover your own unique expression. Our retreat will offer unique practices to unlock creativity and push you to your personal edges. Find transformation through free flow, primal embodiment, blindfolded yoga, and ecstatic dance. Daily breathwork, meditation, yoga, and hiking will accompany these deeper experiences to explore different pathways for artistic expression.
art
Artistic expression is the central focus of our time together. Whether we’re painting, drawing, moving, or playing, every offering is an opportunity to explore creative freedom. Each day will begin with space for solo expression and reflection. This time allows you to drop into the artistic ritual of the retreat. We will engage in daily prompts, practices, and projects to unleash our inner artist. Our time at the hut will include collaging, foraging, plein air painting, and writing, amongst other creative outlets.
nature
Tucked away in San Juan mountains, our weekend will be spent at a peaceful hut at 11,000ft. Beginning with a mellow hike in, our entire retreat will be immersed in fresh air, wildflower covered mountains, sunshine, and dreamy star lit skies. Unwind day or night in our wood-fired hot tub, or explore the surrounding wilderness right out our front door. High Camp Hut offers an abundance of beauty that will enhance the creative connections we cultivate together.
this retreat is for you if...
...you want to tap into your creativity in any realm of your life
...you feel intimidated by art, but you're curious about exploring different creative mediums
...you're an artist, dreamer, or explorer who loves to adventure in nature
...you need a quiet space to reset, soften, and have some fun
...you want to deepen your meditation and movement practices and explore new, playful ways to express & release through flow
...you love to backpack, or you're curious about backpacking for the first time
...you want to make new friends, be silly, frolic, and play
...you're yearning to create a more meaningful life
location
Come explore the cozy town of Telluride, Colorado!
There's no place quite like Telluride in July! Steep yourself in colorful flowers, blue skies, and lush mountain scenery.
Surrounding by the towering peaks of the San Juans, High Camp Hut offers rustic comfort immersed in glorious wilderness.
meet your leads
Alex Simonian
Alex is the founder of Primal Awakening. Through her company, she leads and supports experiences designed to foster connection- often with deep focus on wilderness. Her work is whimsical and widespread- taking her on distant adventures and allowing her to bring pieces of herself into the experiences she creates.
Alex is an artist, chef, environmental educator, and yoga teacher, but she feels most aligned in the role of retreat lead. The journey to retreats began over a decade ago, but the long path didn’t always look so clear. Alex worked her way through many roles, soaking up as much knowledge as she could in the worlds of yoga and wilderness guiding. To date, she has led and supported over 30 retreats, including guiding solo in the backcountry and collaborating with some of her closest friends and mentors.
As a leader and teacher, Alex is playful, dynamic, and authentic. She encourages students to be true to themselves and immerse themselves in their practice. Her bubbly personality brings inviting warmth to the space she holds- allowing those she leads to feel open and comfortable while exploring their edges. Alex craves connection, and has given herself the title of “connectress.” Through her offerings, she weaves tenants of earth, community, and self love into the gifts she creates for the world.
Hannah Joy Miller
Hannah Joy has been sharing her love of life and movement for as long as she can remember. In 2015, she moved to Colorado to weave her love of wellness, wilderness, and art to create a life that aligned with her passions. In 2021, she started The Joy Movement- a creation born from a dream of supporting people taking the rebellious step towards reconnecting to joy! Her energetic and creative spirit strives to encourage those around her to be curious and adventurous on and off their mats. She is passionate about empowering others to deepen their understanding of self through functional movement, proper breathing, mindfulness, and of course, PLAY!
Hannah has been curating and leading events for over 6 years. She has led multiple women’s boot camps, taught large festival crowds and blindfolded yoga, and assisted teacher trainings and retreats. Her experience in the event industry has inspired her to create her own retreats that align with her values.
As a long term artist and teacher, Hannah aspires to help people feel empowered. She loves to challenge her students in their practice, encouraging them to break past their physical and emotional barriers. Hannah teaches from a place of joy and levity, while balancing the discipline and structure that brought her to fall in love with yoga. Hannah believes that everything is a creative expression, and she hopes to share this artful perspective with everyone she leads.
