Photo: Tyler Blank, One Breath Arts
November 2007 | On Our Radar
Vision Quest
Ari Derfel was heading up the outdoor adventure program at UCSF when he ran into college acquaintance, Eric Fenster, six years ago. In his late twenties, Fenster had just overcome a quarterlife crisis that drove him to the desert, alone for three days, to fast and contemplate his life purpose. As Derfel and Fenster connected, both realized they shared the same vision. So they teamed up to create one of the Bay area’s most eclectic businesses — Back to Earth.
Based in Berkeley, Back to Earth offers outdoor adventures — like backpacking yoga in Yosemite — youth wilderness programs, corporate teambuilding and organic catering. But all these business lines are beards for Back to Earth’s true goals: to create a community that bridges racial, social and economic gaps and helps expand consciousness.
“We started the outdoor adventures first because it’s the most profound way to have a deep impact on people in a short amount of time,” says Derfel. “When people spend an amazing time in a beautiful place, they see more than mountains and trees. They see themselves.”
Ultimately, Fenster and Derfel plan to construct the “greenest building in the whole world,” an urban oasis in Oakland. Until then, clients will have to settle for paradisiacal weekend getaways in Yosemite. Visit back to Earth at their online home: backtoearth.org.
— Lynn Braz
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