Walking Deeper Into the World:

An Olympic Peninsula Pilgrimage

Facilitated by Kristopher Drummond and Julie Ann Holder

June 1-5, 2023

“Little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do --
determined to save

the only life that you could save.”

- Mary Oliver, The Journey

In the words of Wendell Berry, “there are no sacred and unsacred places; there are only sacred and desecrated places.”

As we lurch deeper into the 21st century, the number of sacred places, the sanctity of true wildness, is shrinking quickly. It’s more important than ever these days to deeply hear those places of unspoiled beauty, to feel the energies of true wildness and submit ourselves to the intelligence of muddy, twisting, rooted belonging. By listening, quieting, and slowing into the sanctuary of intact ecologies, we touch our own latent wholeness and recognize our place in Gaia’s web of relationships.

The Olympic Peninsula is one such sacred place.

Home to cougars and bears, whales and ancient cedars, preserved through the foresight of the National Parks Act of 1916, Olympic National Park offers the essential opportunity to be humbled by this world, holding us in our aching need for homecoming. Walking our way into the rainforest, dawning the rhythms of rainfall and silence, laughter and sincerity, heartbreak and breakthrough, we follow the ancient path of pilgrimage. In taking the journey we offer ourselves, emptying with each step so that we may learn to hear the ancient invitation.

This retreat is for anyone longing to connect more deeply to earth, themselves, and other sincerely-intended humans in one of North America’s most wild, silent landscapes.

Moving between inner and outer ecologies, we will learn the ethics and fundamental etiquette of engaging the wilderness while opening to the deep conversational possibilities of truth telling with human and other-than-human alike. Weaving our days between community and solitude, practicing dream work, guided wandering, meditation, group council,  deep imagination and somatic/creative explorations, we will honor our histories and the griefs we carry while also opening up to the vast regenerative possibilities of reuniting our souls with the wild world.

  • DATES: June 1-5, 2023 (5 days, Friday - Sunday)

  • Location: Enchanted Valley, Olympic National Park

  • Cost: (Includes Leave No Trace Trainer Course Certificate)

  • Facilitated by: Kristopher Drummond & Julie Ann Holder

  • Mode of travel: Backpacking with intention and presence

Meet Your Guides

Kristopher Drummond

Julie Ann Holder

LOGISTICS:

Getting here:

The nearest airport is SeaTac International Airport. We will rendezvous somewhere in south Seattle before driving west out to the Peninsula.

Prior to the retreat, we will be sending out communication with all participants and if you are traveling from out of state, you may be able to find a ride to the trailhead, or share the cost of renting a car with someone else on the program. As a program, the guides cannot drive you to the trailhead. However, carpooling is strongly encouraged.

Travel Plans:

Please do not book a flight for the last day of the course. We do our best to get you out of the field and back to the trailhead with plenty of daylight to arrive at your next accomodation, but things happen, and having an evening of buffer time will make you much happier out on the trail. In addition, sometimes everyone decides to go out and share a meal as a course closing, and it’s nice to have some flexibility for this sort of thing.

For other FAQ’s, like equipment, expectations, rental gear, and culture of the course, please view the FAQ page linked below.

Proposed Itinerary:

18.4 miles, and approx. 1,800’ Elevation Gain over 5 days

  • Day 1: Backpack 2.4 miles, Campground: Pony Bridge Camp

  • Day 2: Backpack 6.6 miles, Campground: Pyrites Creek Camp

  • Day 3: Day hike mileage of your choice 0 - 7+ miles, Campground: Pyrites Creek Camp

    • The Enchanted Valley is at mile 12.2 (approx. 3.2 miles from Pyrites Creek camp)

  • Day 4: Backpack 2.8 miles, Campground: O’Neil Creek Camp

  • Day 5: Backpack 6.2 miles to Trailhead. Course close.

Sample Equipment List: (list is not all inclusive)

- Backpack (45-70 liters)

- Comfortable hiking shoes

- Stove

- Fuel

- Food appropriate for 10 days

- Water filtration

- Gloves

- Adequate layers

- Tent shelter and sleep system adequate for summer alpine camping (30F bag or warmer)

Cost includes:

  • A memorable experience on your soul journey, guiding, Instruction, dreamwork sessions, and access to a library of resources (LNT, Ecology, Historical Accounts of Washington). Group safety gear if necessary (tarps).

  • Leave No Trace Awareness Course Certificate

    • *A Leave No Trace Trainer Course may also be provided, standby for updates.

Cost does not include:

  • Transportation, gear, food, airfare, lodging, additional permitting fees, or parking fees.

  • Equipment rental can be pre-arranged through the American Alpine Institute and Grounding Truth can bring it to the trailhead, or you may pick it up in Bellingham. Otherwise, contact julieann@groundingtruth.com for more options.