Welcome to Mountainsong Expeditions!
Offering programs in Archery, Survival Skills, The Sacred Hunt, and more!
Announcing: The Wild Sabbatical Year!
Our founder and lead instructor, Murphy, is on sabbatical: a fall in the Minnesota wilderness hunting, fishing, and gathering food on a 10-week Wild Edibles Canoe Trip, a winter of hunting and writing, and a spring & summer of canoeing over 800 miles from the Adirondacks to Maine. She'll send updates and tales of adventure to everyone on our email list, so sign up for our newsletter below to get all the updates right in your inbox.
Our usual roster of classes will resume in fall 2019 when Murphy returns.
2019 Schedule
- Archery Intensive Weekend (Sept 7-8, 2019 in Worcester, VT. All Genders, $295.)
- Running With Artemis: Archery and Trail Running for Mind, Body, and Spirit (Monday afternoons, Sept 9-Oct 21, 2019 in Worcester, VT. Women & Trans Only.)
- Evening Archery Lessons (Wednesdays 5:30-7pm, Sept 4-Oct 9, 2019, in Worcester, VT. All Genders, $30 per lesson.)
- The Huntress Intensive: Taking Aim in the Sacred Hunt (Sept 28-29, 2019, in Worcester, VT. Women & Trans Only, $295)
- Hide Tanning Weekend (Oct 5-6, 2019 in Worcester, VT. All Genders, $295.)
- Mounted Archery Clinic (Oct 12-13, 2019 in East Calais, VT. All Genders, $350.)
- Huntress Intensive for All Genders (Oct 19-20, 2019, in Worcester, VT. All Genders, $295.)
- Traditional Ax Skills (Oct 26, 2019, in Worcester VT. Women & Transpeople Only, $85.)
- Huntress Expedition (Dec 8-14, 2019 guided hunt in Northern Virginia, $995.)
Trip & Class Descriptions:
Archery Intensive Weekend
Sept 7-8, 2019 in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson, Certified Level 2 Archery Instructor
Immerse yourself in the way of the bow: spend a weekend in the mountains exploring the powerful and focused state that archery creates in the human mind. Whether you want to learn archery for personal enjoyment, as a spiritual practice, or to work towards becoming a bow hunter, this two-day course will introduce you to the foundational skills of instinctive archery: Form, Range, and Focus. Read more here.
Sept 7-8, 2019 in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson, Certified Level 2 Archery Instructor
Immerse yourself in the way of the bow: spend a weekend in the mountains exploring the powerful and focused state that archery creates in the human mind. Whether you want to learn archery for personal enjoyment, as a spiritual practice, or to work towards becoming a bow hunter, this two-day course will introduce you to the foundational skills of instinctive archery: Form, Range, and Focus. Read more here.
Running With Artemis: Archery & Trail Running for Mind, Body, and Spirit
Fall 2019 Session for adults: Sept 9-Oct 21, 2019
Every Monday, 3:30-6pm, in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson and Colleen Kutin
Read all the details HERE.
Fall 2019 Session for adults: Sept 9-Oct 21, 2019
Every Monday, 3:30-6pm, in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson and Colleen Kutin
Read all the details HERE.
Evening Archery Lessons
Every Wednesday from 5:30-7pm, Sept 4-Oct 9, 2019
Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson
More Information Here.
Every Wednesday from 5:30-7pm, Sept 4-Oct 9, 2019
Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson
More Information Here.
The Huntress Intensive: Taking Aim In The Sacred Hunt
Sept 28-29, 2019 in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson
Do you hear the call of the Sacred Hunt? Whether you want to get healthy wild food for your family, understand the woodland landscape at a new level, or connect with the power of the ancient Huntress archetype, this weekend intensive will teach you what you need to know to become a safe, ethical deer hunter. Many of us weren’t lucky enough to grow up in a family that could teach us these ancestral skills, so this is your opportunity to come learn in a safe, positive, supportive environment. It will be a busy weekend! On Saturday we will review gun safety and practice shooting, learn about the gear you should take with you, and study the woodland landscape for deer sign. Saturday night we will hold a ceremony to honor our deer brothers and sisters, discuss and demonstrate the ritual connection with the deer spirit, and learn about the respect, offerings, and prayers of the Sacred Hunt. On Sunday we will get up early and embark on a mock-hunt. In the afternoon, we will butcher a goat together, learning how to take an animal apart cleanly and dispose of the entrails. You will leave this workshop with new skills, confidence, and connection to the deer spirit. Learn More Here.
Hide Tanning Workshop
Oct 5-6, 2019 in Worcester, VT
Learn the ancient art of turning fresh animal hides into soft leather. This alchemical process teaches us deep gratitude for our animal allies and the skilled craftspeople who are our ancestors. We will take time throughout the day to give thanks to the animals who have surrendered their skins for our workshop (all wild or lovingly raised). Hannah Rhea is an expert tanner and skilled instructor who will make our learning collaborative and fun. This two-day workshop will give you the knowledge and skills to tan your own hides at home for years to come.
For more info, Click Here.
Oct 5-6, 2019 in Worcester, VT
Learn the ancient art of turning fresh animal hides into soft leather. This alchemical process teaches us deep gratitude for our animal allies and the skilled craftspeople who are our ancestors. We will take time throughout the day to give thanks to the animals who have surrendered their skins for our workshop (all wild or lovingly raised). Hannah Rhea is an expert tanner and skilled instructor who will make our learning collaborative and fun. This two-day workshop will give you the knowledge and skills to tan your own hides at home for years to come.
For more info, Click Here.
Mounted Archery Weekend
October 12-13, 2019 in East Calais, VT
Taught by Marcy Baer and Murphy Robinson
This weekend is organized by Marcy Baer at Briar Hill Farm. Marcy is an expert horse trainer and a breeder of Norwegian Fjiord Ponies and English Dale Ponies. These strong and steady horses are hardy, intelligent, willing to please, and hard workers. For this clinic, you can bring your own horse or ride one of Marcy's ponies. Marcy's gentle, grounded teaching style and well-trained mounts will help you sink into a deep relationship with your horse, while Murphy's teachings on instinctive archery will let you come into alignment with your bow. By the end of the weekend we will put the two together and you will be shooting from horseback just like an Amazon.
This class is open to all genders, and registration is handled by Marcy at Briar Hill Farm. Here is the Registration Information (if this page isn't updated for the current year, reference the dates above and use the same contact information as last year)
October 12-13, 2019 in East Calais, VT
Taught by Marcy Baer and Murphy Robinson
This weekend is organized by Marcy Baer at Briar Hill Farm. Marcy is an expert horse trainer and a breeder of Norwegian Fjiord Ponies and English Dale Ponies. These strong and steady horses are hardy, intelligent, willing to please, and hard workers. For this clinic, you can bring your own horse or ride one of Marcy's ponies. Marcy's gentle, grounded teaching style and well-trained mounts will help you sink into a deep relationship with your horse, while Murphy's teachings on instinctive archery will let you come into alignment with your bow. By the end of the weekend we will put the two together and you will be shooting from horseback just like an Amazon.
This class is open to all genders, and registration is handled by Marcy at Briar Hill Farm. Here is the Registration Information (if this page isn't updated for the current year, reference the dates above and use the same contact information as last year)
Woodswoman Ax Skills
October 26, 2019, in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson
Get your "Lumber Jill" on at this skill-building class, where you will learn traditional ax skills with other adventurous women. Murphy will teach the use and care of a traditional woods(wo)man's ax. We will learn:
Using an ax is all about ergonomics, and we'll teach you how to use this tool so it works with your body, not against it!
This workshop is for women and trans people only. Teenage girls may attend with a parent or guardian present. The cost of this workshop is $85, which includes a simple lunch. You can bring your own ax or use one of ours.
October 26, 2019, in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson
Get your "Lumber Jill" on at this skill-building class, where you will learn traditional ax skills with other adventurous women. Murphy will teach the use and care of a traditional woods(wo)man's ax. We will learn:
- Split firewood
- Clear blow-down trees
- Basic principles of felling small trees with an ax
- How to de-limb a log and cut it to length
- How to sharpen your ax with a file and stone
- How to store your ax
- How to re-handle a broken ax
Using an ax is all about ergonomics, and we'll teach you how to use this tool so it works with your body, not against it!
This workshop is for women and trans people only. Teenage girls may attend with a parent or guardian present. The cost of this workshop is $85, which includes a simple lunch. You can bring your own ax or use one of ours.
Huntress Expedition
December 8-14, 2019
Held on an Organic Farm in Northern Virginia
Guided by Murphy Robinson and Friends
This is a guided week of the Sacred Hunt at a 80-acre organic farm woodlot in Northern Virginia. All hunting tools are provided (tree stands, rifle, ammunition, butchering supplies, etc), as well as food and lodging for the week. The Northern Virginia deer herd is badly overpopulated, so you'll have a good chance of shooting a deer (bucks, does, and young deer are all legal quarry there). This year the Expedition is for women only and the price for the week is $995 (transportation to and from Virginia not included). Normally this program is only open to graduates of the Huntress Intensive weekend or the Way of the Huntress 8-month program. Please contact us if you have other hunting preparation and are interested in joining us for this weeklong hunt.
December 8-14, 2019
Held on an Organic Farm in Northern Virginia
Guided by Murphy Robinson and Friends
This is a guided week of the Sacred Hunt at a 80-acre organic farm woodlot in Northern Virginia. All hunting tools are provided (tree stands, rifle, ammunition, butchering supplies, etc), as well as food and lodging for the week. The Northern Virginia deer herd is badly overpopulated, so you'll have a good chance of shooting a deer (bucks, does, and young deer are all legal quarry there). This year the Expedition is for women only and the price for the week is $995 (transportation to and from Virginia not included). Normally this program is only open to graduates of the Huntress Intensive weekend or the Way of the Huntress 8-month program. Please contact us if you have other hunting preparation and are interested in joining us for this weeklong hunt.
The Way of the Huntress
Eight monthly trainings, culminating in a guided deer hunt
Next series begins in February of 2020
Held in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson
Are you ready to learn to hunt in a supportive community of women? To learn the technical skills of the hunt while exploring your own spiritual connection to the land? Explore this 8-month program HERE.
Eight monthly trainings, culminating in a guided deer hunt
Next series begins in February of 2020
Held in Worcester, VT
Taught by Murphy Robinson
Are you ready to learn to hunt in a supportive community of women? To learn the technical skills of the hunt while exploring your own spiritual connection to the land? Explore this 8-month program HERE.
Wildlife Tracking Class, Level I
January 2020 (date TBA), 10am-5pm in Worcester, VT
Taught by Gary Johnson
Learn the secrets to tracking wildlife through the snow! Advanced tracker Gary Johnson will teach us about animal track patterns, measuring and analyzing tracks, and much more. After learning all the principles, we'll head into the forest to try our new skills. The class includes a hot lunch. Tuition is $85 per person and the class is open to all genders.
January 2020 (date TBA), 10am-5pm in Worcester, VT
Taught by Gary Johnson
Learn the secrets to tracking wildlife through the snow! Advanced tracker Gary Johnson will teach us about animal track patterns, measuring and analyzing tracks, and much more. After learning all the principles, we'll head into the forest to try our new skills. The class includes a hot lunch. Tuition is $85 per person and the class is open to all genders.
