Media courtesy of our travel companion @iamdaskalo
50 Glacier Lakes.
5 Days.
Sierra granite. Pine-lined glacial lakes. Seven days of progressive cold water immersion at altitude. A full nervous system recalibration in one of the most powerful mountain settings in North America.
Interested in joining? Email josh@breatheintothewild.com to request a spot or ask questions.
Is This Expedition For You?
High — daily alpine treks at altitude
High — repeated alpine plunges at altitude
Maximum — backcountry alpine immersions
Deep — daily guided sessions & group work
Day-by-Day Itinerary
50 lakes. 5 days. Each day builds on the last.
Arrival & Basecamp Setup
Arrive at Mammoth Lakes Airport or drive in. Settle into our mountain lodge basecamp. Evening orientation, group introductions, and your first breathwork session as the sun sets behind the Sierra crest. Welcome dinner with locally sourced food.
Little Lakes Valley (13 Lakes)
Early start from Juniper Springs to Mosquito Flat. Hit all 13 lakes in order, 10 minutes per plunge, food stop at Long Lake. Back by evening for dinner and an early lights out.
Virginia Lakes (12 Lakes)
The hardest day. Point-to-point route over an 11,122ft pass with 12 plunges and a major descent into Green Creek. Long day on the trail. Back late — eat and sleep.
Duck Pass (9 Lakes)
Slightly later start with a nearby trailhead. 9 plunges with the climb over Duck Pass (10,784ft) and food stop at Barney. Earliest return all week.
North Fork Big Pine Creek (9 Lakes) — Finale
The finale. Longest drive of the trip, 9 final plunges (45 through 53), ending at 11,204ft beneath the Palisade Glacier. Celebration dinner in Mammoth. No alarm tomorrow.
20 Lakes Basin (10 Lakes)
Pre-dawn drive to Saddlebag Lake, then 10 alpine plunges through the basin. Food stop at Steelhead. Earliest return of the week so far — dinner by 6, lights out 8:30.
Integration & Departure
Morning integration session. Personalized take-home protocol. Farewell brunch and departure. You leave with a fundamentally different relationship to stress, cold, and your own capacity.
What's Included
Not Included
Your Expedition Leader
Josh Fechter
Founder, Breathe into the Wild
Josh built Breathe into the Wild from a personal obsession with what happens when you combine altitude, cold water, and intentional breathwork. After years as a professional athlete, he turned to nervous system training and cold exposure as tools for deep transformation. He leads every Mammoth expedition personally — guiding explorers through progressive cold immersions with the precision of an athlete and the presence of a coach who's been in the water thousands of times.
Frequently Asked Questions
No prior cold water experience is needed. We teach a progressive protocol that starts accessible and builds over the 7 days. You'll be surprised how quickly your body adapts when the setting and guidance are right.
Moderate to challenging. You should be comfortable hiking 15 miles per day at altitude (8,000-11,000 ft) with 1,000-2,000 ft of elevation gain. We provide a 6-week pre-expedition training plan.
Every immersion is voluntary. Our guides are trained to meet you exactly where you are. Some people go waist-deep on day 1 and full submersion by day 5. There's no judgment — only your own edge.
Yes. Our guides carry wilderness first aid certifications and satellite communication devices. We monitor for altitude sickness and have evacuation protocols. The lodge basecamp is at 8,000 ft with gradual ascent.
Comfortable mountain lodge with private and shared rooms. Hot showers, hearty meals, and a communal gathering space with fireplace. This isn't camping — it's a proper base for recovery between immersions.