Wilderness Quest

For months the Olympic Mountains had been beckoning. Sometimes veiled by layers of gray clouds, sometimes towering in snowy glory, their many moods called to me across the waters of Puget Sound.

 

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Massive rainforest trees, thundering waterfalls, wandering bear and cougar, no highways or roads penetrating their wild interior—I knew it was a perfect place for a rite of passage to mark the transition into my 65th year, and to honor the death of my father and son this past year.

 

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Following the pattern of the vision quest, I entered the separation phase of the journey: preparing my backpacking gear, completing office and home details, saying goodbye to family and friends. Once I left the trailhead and began the 3.2 mile, 1300 foot ascent to Lena Lake with my backpack, I stepped more deeply into separation from the comforts of civilization.

 

 

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My simple, beautiful camp provided the threshold or launching place for me to imagine and create a ceremony to honor my father and son.

 

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On day two I entered the Brothers Wilderness and hiked another three miles and ascended another thousand feet in elevation.

 

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I found the perfect place to sit and be with their memories—a place nestled in moss, watched carefully from above by the Brothers Peak.

 

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The ceremony I created is a private one, partly based on some of the traditions of the threshold phase of the vision quest and partly generated by my own soul and relationship with these two dear men.

 

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Time alone in wilderness heightens my awareness, reminds me to look within, and stirs my creativity. It restores my soul. I am home now slowly, carefully entering the longest phase of the vision quest—incorporation. I made the journey to the “sacred mountains” on behalf of myself and my people. Now I must learn how to make real in my daily life the wisdom I discovered there.

 

8 replies
  1. Laura Collins
    Laura Collins says:

    Now I know why my heart has been full with you these past few days. You inspire with the gentle and thoughtful way that you process life – the beginnings and the endings. Love to you Ann.

    Reply
  2. pamela sampel
    pamela sampel says:

    So wonderful to read this. Loved seeing you upon re-entry. Thank you for sharing such a holy trip and fabulous pictures…xoxo.

    Reply
  3. Mary Jefferies
    Mary Jefferies says:

    My dear friend and mentor Ann,

    I trust your sacred time in the Brothers Wilderness brought you peace. I am holding you in the light and in my heart.

    With much love, Mary

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

    Reply
  4. Jeanne Petrick
    Jeanne Petrick says:

    While you were on your journey into the mountains and that safe wilderness space this quote from John Muir came my way. I am sure you already know it well. Trusting that after your incorporation you will indeed feel as John Muir did about your time in nature. Blessings to you Ann.

    “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” ?John Muir

    Reply

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