Mountains and Waters Backpacking Retreat
The Mountains and Waters Backpacking Retreat will take place September 3-5, 2020, with a covid/weather/fire backup date of Sept 23-25. Think of this as a regular sesshin, though with somewhat relaxed forms to suit wilderness practice.
The backpacking level of effort is moderate. Our first-choice destination is the Indian Heaven Wilderness in southwest Washington. Most of our hiking will be on unofficial, unmaintained trails. The hiking is mostly gradual, but there are several short somewhat steep ups and downs. Total hiking distance over the 3 days is about 10 miles, with a total elevation gain of about 1000’. Gyoshi will lead this retreat.
Sign-up for the retreat will end Friday, August 14. Wilderness rules limit us to 12 people including the leader and assistant. We will have a mandatory pre-trip Zoom planning meeting after dharma talk on Sunday, August 16, and a later gear check meeting for any participants with little backpacking experience.
The Covid-19 pandemic is forcing some changes in how we can do this retreat. We will each be responsible for our own meals, and we will drive in separate cars. Because of these changes, the retreat fee has been reduced to $20 for both DRZC members and non-members.
Contact Gyoshi if you have any questions.
The registration fee will be refunded if the retreat is cancelled because of covid/fire/weather or postponed to the backup date for those who can’t come then.