If you’ve never thought about planning an all-women’s outdoor trip, it’s time to get out your calendar.

We waved goodbye to the guide as he gunned the boat’s engine to back away from the riverbank, and I breathed out a deep sigh of relief as he roared back up the river. Becca, Jillian and I stood on the bank, lugging our packs onto our backs and eyeing the trail up the canyon. The weeks of planning were finally past, and all we had to do was walk scenic desert trails each day and camp out under the stars for the next three nights. No computers, no traffic, no deadlines—and no men. When we jumped back onto the boat three days later, I felt humbled, yet somehow stronger and more powerful than I had before. Our friendships had grown into something hearty, something we would all come to rely on after we went our separate ways.

If you’ve never thought about planning an all-women’s outdoor trip, it’s time to get out your calendar. It will rejuvenate so many aspects of your life, and I can guarantee you’ll be ready to plan the next one as soon as you get back. Here are 10 reasons to call your girlfriends and buy a plane ticket or make a campsite reservation—now.

1. You’ll probably realize you’re capable of more than you realize. Often it’s easy for women to sit back and let the guys take charge, whether it’s building a fire, setting up a tent or even just making plans. When you go out with only women, you’ll be doing everything yourself. It’s the perfect time to learn something new, and the resulting confidence will follow you home, both at work and in relationships.

2. You’ll find out you’re not alone. Do you ever feel afraid when you hear a branch snap outside your tent? Do you dream of going farther into the wild? Struggle with insecurities? Chances are, when you’re chatting in your sleeping bags under the stars together, you’ll find other women feel the same way. Solidarity is empowering.

3. You can geek out about outdoor fashion, if that’s your style. Do you find yourself checking out other people’s shirts and shorts, and wondering where she got those super cute sandals? One fun thing about going on a trip with girlfriends who share your style is that nobody will think twice when you ask, who makes that jacket? Do you mind if I try it on?

4. You can go your own pace. Obviously pace isn’t necessarily determined by gender, but when you plan your own trip instead of going on one that someone else has put together, you can hike or paddle as many—or as few—miles as you want in a day. As long as your girlfriends are all on the same page, you’ll enjoy the sensation of controlling your own destiny instead of trying to conform to someone else’s expectations.

5. A trip away from your significant other can recharge your relationship. Sure, spending a little time apart can make the heart grow fonder. But if during that time apart you’ve also gained new confidence and found a sense of peace in the outdoors, you’ll take that back to your relationship. It’s a surefire way to reignite a spark.

6. And even if you’re single, this kind of trip builds character to make you a more attractive person. Outdoor trips build humility, stamina and self-reliance, and generally tend to make people more interesting. Being the one who’s self-assured, humble and full of interesting stories—like the one about the jet boat getting stuck in the sandbar or getting stuck out in the storm—is a great way to make yourself more attractive to others.

Outdoor trips build humility, stamina and self-reliance, and generally tend to make people more interesting.

7. With only women around, it can be easier to truly relax. Ideally, we all would be just as relaxed in mixed company as we are with just our girlfriends. But something special happens when groups of women come together with a common goal, and maybe it’s because we don’t feel so much like we have to impress anyone. Whether it’s taking the risk to go without mascara for a week or trying to climb your first 5.10, going at it among your female friends is a good way to feel supported, let your guard down and enjoy being yourself and trying hard.

8. Sometimes a few days in nature with girlfriends is just as good as therapy. Whether work is stressing you out or you’re struggling with family or relationship pressures, an outdoor trip with your female friends can be way more helpful than just a Wednesday night happy hour meetup. The time to discuss deep topics stretches through the whole day and the joy of being outside helps melt cares away. 

The time to discuss deep topics stretches through the whole day and the joy of being outside helps melt cares away. 

9. You don’t have to worry about your “female problems” because you’ll all be in the same boat. Need to run off to deal with your period for a few minutes? No problem. Everyone will understand. Have a funny story about having to go #1 or #2 while on a river or out climbing? Chances are, your lady friends have a great story to share, too, and it feels great to laugh about it.

The friends who sweat, camp and learn new things together stay together.

10. You’ll build friendships that will be even stronger back in your everyday life. Learning new things and problem solving together—whether it’s figuring out how use your new stove or how to get from here to there—deepens bonds between friends. The long, rambling conversations on a girls’ trip are irreplaceable, and the laughter and bonding through discomfort goes deeper than the bonding you’ll get over a lunch date. The friends who sweat, camp and learn new things together stay together.

Contributed by Hillary Oliver (@thegription). Photography by Jillian Lukiwski (@thenoisyplume).