Fall Wilderness Quest

This nine-day Fall Wilderness Quest is set in the beautiful wilderness of the Black Mountains of Death Valley National Park.  A four wheel drive vehicle with higher clearance is required to access the site for this program.

Rites of Passage has offered the Wilderness Quest, with its roots in pan-cultural ceremonies and teachings of the vision quest or vision fast, for over 40 years. With a focus on reconnecting with nature, finding authentic depth and meaning, healing old wounds, and  marking significant life changes, the program will appeal to adults in any life stage.  It is open to people of any sexual or gender identity.

DAYS 1-3

The first 3 days are Severance or preparation time for the solo.  Meeting in Council sessions, the group will explore a range of subjects related to the Wilderness Quest solo, including safety-related issues: flora/fauna, weather-related concerns (heat, cold, lightning), essential first aid, our buddy system, and tarp-tying.  The group will also explore eco-spiritual tools that can be of great value in preparing, such as the Medicine Wheel teachings, exploration of Intent and purpose, self-generated ceremonial practices, and teachings from the Death Lodge. Group members will have several hours to follow their calling to find a solo site to hold them in the wilderness for 3 days and nights.

DAYS 4-6

You will have three days of time in the liminal world or Spirit world, between your old life and the birth of the new. This is time to let go, heal, reflect, write in your journal, sing, dance, laugh weep, call in the life awaiting you, mark your passage with ceremony.

DAYS 7-9

The final 3 days, following the return from the solo, will be devoted to taking the necessary steps of return or Incorporation in a fully conscious way. This process begins with a Council session where each participant has the opportunity to tell the story of their Wilderness Quest solo and to receive essential feedback and confirmation from staff regarding what has been achieved.

Staff

  Larisa Blum is a psychotherapist who has engaged in many practices of self-discovery.  Her life has been a quest to find meaning, healing, belonging and connection. She went on her first quest in 2008 and trained to become a guide with Rites of Passage in 2010-11. She continues to be amazed at the capacity of the soul to flourish in nature—alone and in community. She loves guiding and helping others recognize the call of their wild.

  Steven Encinas has been an active proponent of wilderness rites of passage since his first wilderness fast in 2008. Having had such a profound experience, he quickly realized his love for this work. He has trained with Mike Bodkin, Executive Director of Rites of Passage, Inc., and apprenticed and mentored with Scott Eberle, MD, of School of Lost Borders. Steven has been a guest speaker at local colleges to educate students of child psychology about the importance and impact of pan-cultural models of rites of passage for youth.