Every season of fatherhood asks something different of us.
The young ones call for our patience. The teenagers need our steadiness. The grown ones ask for a different kind of presence.
In every season, what would it be worth, to us and to our kids, to actually show up the way we had intended to?
Most of us are carrying full lives, a deep love for our kids, and hard-won wisdom. What we rarely have is the space to reflect and a brotherhood to talk with. Not really. The real conversations fatherhood asks for don't happen at work or in the ten minutes between pickup and dinner. They happen slowly, honestly, with other dads who are paying attention and carrying wisdom of their own.
"The value of a brotherhood for support and questions... I didn't know how much I needed that."Andy, Father Figured, 2025
Together in the High Sierra, we walk alongside a select group of fellow dads who all have something to say but nothing to prove. We share stories of wisdom along our journeys, and explore what it means to father with intention and presence.
What parts of my fathering and manhood came from love, and what parts came from fear?
How would my children honestly describe their relationship with me as their father today?
If my children inherited my way of being, which parts would be a gift? Which wouldn't?
Workshops conducted live, virtually. ~1.5 hours each.
"I wasn't expecting such a range of fatherhood experiences. Positive, wise... you guys are really the kind of dads I want to spend time with."Jack, dad to a girl, 3
"The depth of conversations around the campfire... I've never experienced anything like it."Scott, dad and grandpa
"Duncan, I'm still in awe over your ability to extract and remember these nuanced, personal insights. You're a masterful facilitator. I feel heard and understood."Andy, dad to a grown son: 23
"I don't know of any other group like this for men. I am very thankful for you Duncan for creating this space to talk about fatherhood and the struggles that we all go through raising our kids."Phillip, dad of two: 6 and 9
"I've been so inwardly focused that I had sort of lost sight of some of the more important things in my life. Being with you guys these last few days has really helped me remember. There's also a characteristic I see in you guys that I've been trying to develop within myself: servant leadership."Dan, dad of two: 9 and 10
"We will all stay connected through our magical man of meaningful connections: Duncan."Jonathan, dad of two: 6 and 9
Each dad arrived carrying a question. None left with the same one. Here's what happened.
Dads from our 2025 cohort ranged from a former marine to an Olympian, a CEO to a retired juvenile correctional officer. From Montana, Virginia, Texas, and the Bay Area. Our kids ranged from 3 to 34. One of them just became a grandpa!
Our commonality: Father figures with something to say but nothing to prove. That includes biological dads, step-dads, mentors, and community and faith leaders who show up for the next generation.
We have some backpacking experience. We exercise regularly. We can commit to 3 workshops and 4 days in the backcountry. And we're willing to go deeper than chit-chats.
Capped at 8 dads per cohort. By nomination and invitation only.
Father, figured is a program of Off Trail On Track, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your contribution to OTOT funds your participation and sustains this community. Every dad joins the same journey. The contribution level you choose reflects how you'd like to show up for it.
Every contribution enrolls you as an OTOT member and funds your participation in Father, figured.
Choose how you'd like to show up:
For dads nominated by a Father, figured participant. Covers your share of program expenses and supports OTOT's broader mission and work.
The full contribution rate. Sustains OTOT's coaching, facilitation, curriculum, and community year-round.
Covers your program expenses. $1,500 goes directly to the Walk Together Fund, sponsoring a father who couldn't otherwise join.
Duncan is a minimalist backpacking educator and executive leadership coach. He has led wilderness experiences for over 16 years and founded Off Trail On Track, a nonprofit backpacking academy. He is a CoActive-trained coach with over 1000 hours of experience coaching boards, executives, and teams.
He helps leaders reconnect with their purpose and cultivate compassion and resilience — in the wilderness and the boardroom.
Duncan is a seasoned facilitator for organizations and teams, bringing clarity, emotional intelligence, and presence to leadership development. He is trained in holding space for men's work and an active participant and facilitator in several men's groups. He's committed to creating environments where people can show up more fully, with integrity, courage, and care.
Duncan believes the outer wilderness is a portal to the inner one, a place where we shed what we don't need and reconnect with our true nature. Born in Hong Kong, based in Berkeley, California. When he's not on the trail, he's usually adventuring through life with his son, Kiyo.
Less belongings. More belonging.
Three trip cohorts. Eight spots each.
Physical intensity is tailored to each cohort's participants. Some prior backpacking experience required.
Questions? Email Duncan or Book a call.