HOH RIVER VALLEY and RAINFOREST RETREAT ~
Open to Sacred Time and the Healing Power of Nature in this nature immersion in the Olympic Mountains on the Olympic Peninsula, WA State, USA
These experiences facilitated by Lori Ferry' and Christina Burress are based on Wild Wisdom retreats designed by Llyn "Cedar" Roberts - Lori and Christina are trained to guide you on a gentle yet life-changing, sacred nature immersion.
Contact us for a Free Discovery Call or to Register.
Listen to your heart and open to nature's healing forces!
Register Early! Spaces Fill Fast!
Join us in the Hoh River Valley and the largest temperate rainforest in the world in the Olympic Mountains to nourish a sacred and responsible relationship with the Earth guided by OMEC colleagues Lori Ferry' and Christina Burress.
In these life-changing nature immersions and forest bathing experiences, you will open your heart to rainforest plants and wildlife, to old growth trees, to sacred springs and turquoise glacial rivers and expansive valleys as you also, communicate with ancient Earth protectors and spirit presences. Sit by roaring fires under vast starlit skies, for storytelling and authentic sharing. Play, muse, journal, incubate, create and take inward journeys - to receive nature’s gifts and to also learn how you can give back.
In immersing in the quiet spaces of nature and in her hidden dimensions you will be nourished, and guided to quiet internal spaces - rich, hidden dimensions within you - guiding you back to the deep and ever-unfolding mystery of our amazing living planet as well as to who you truly are.
Capacity: Register early, as enrollment is limited to eight (8) participants, to ensure an intimate experience.
To register for the Hoh River Valley and Rainforest Retreat - $1000 per person guided by Lori Ferry' & Christina Burress.
*Your per person registration fee includes facilitation and 5-nights accommodation. A non-refundable lodging deposit of $300 reserves your place. (Your deposit can be deferred to another Hoh trip if unavoidable circumstances prevent you from attending.) Space is limited to a maximum of eight registrants. *Prices include facilitation and accommodation and does NOT include transportation, food or other needs.
HOH RIVER VALLEY and RAINFOREST RETREAT GUIDES
Lori Ferry' - Guide
Lori Ferry' retreat facilitator has experienced Hoh immersion as a participant and has been to the Hoh Rainforest many times. She is core teaching faculty member for Shamanic Reiki Worldwide, Usui & Tibetan Reiki Master, Bioenergetics Crystal Practitioner and Practitioner of Core Shamanism. Lori holds deep reverence for the Earth and nature, and is experienced in indigenous based healing approaches. She has facilitated Mindfulness Based Meditation workshops for the University of Washington Nursing Students Programs and addiction recovery 2-year program for John Volken Academy. She studied abroad working on her BA in Early Childhood Psychological Development. Lori is a registered yoga teacher with a mindful & restorative approach and a Registered Yoga Continuing Education Provider. As a member of the Guatemala Sacred Travel Team, she assists Lis Traphagen and supports OMEC’s Mayan Women Weavers project. She is co-president for the Olympic Mountain Earthwisdom Circle 501c3 Non-Projit and co-director of OMEC HEARTH Circles and is in affiliation with CoastSavers.org
Christina Burress - Guide
Christina Burress, MFA Christina Burress loves the outdoors from the ocean to the mountains and has spent many hours on the trail as a runner, hiker, and backpacker in magical places such as the Sierras, Rockies, Himalayas, Alps, and Andes. She’s co-led youth expeditions into wild spaces including Ecuador, Zion National Park, Big Sur, Idyllwild, and Mammoth. Christina is the OMEC Nature-Inspired Writing Program Facilitator and a member of the OMEC board of directors. She holds a BA in Rhetoric from the University of California at Berkeley, a MFA in Creative Writing from Naropa University, an Expressive Arts Certificate from Sky Mountain Institute, and a Certificate in Indigenous Cultural Awareness from First Nations Technical Institute. She is a continuing student of Shamanic Reiki and a member of the board of directors of OMEC. Christina has experienced the Hoh retreat twice as a participant with Llyn Cedar Roberts and has been to the Hoh many times since; she has a deep connection with these lands and looks forward to being your guide during the retreat.
DETAILS FOR REGISTRANTS:
Retreat Container: Relax into your physical and also your subtle senses, to reconnect - with yourself, spirit, and with nature. To keep this intention at the forefront at Hoh River Valley and Rainforest Retreats we maintain a substance-free environment with no alcohol, no mind-altering substances, and no smoking or vaping. Participants agree to support each other in an unplugged (daily 'touch-in' option) experience, valuing quiet and stillness - equally to laughter and sharing, to connect with nature and the spirit of the place. We offer simple invitations that will awaken your senses to the living world around you - and gentle 'questing' approaches that focus and expand your attention. We maintain 'quiet zones' and incubation time, solo 'sits' as well as circle immersions in pristine locations. We have an outside campfire on every dry weather night (except during fire restrictions), with time devoted to exploring the local lore of the lands. We focus on being in nature in an awake yet ordinary way, which is in itself ceremonial. We enact 'wandering', 'deep listening', and other simple nature-based practices on the Hoh River gravel bar and hike on an easy, as well as an easy-to-moderate trail. There are built in options on this hike, such as staying to commune by the river or to forest bathe, or going further on the trail led by a facilitator, for those with more desire and vigor. There’s always someone nearby to assist you. Every day and every moment and experience has its own texture and rhythm, and every person is encouraged to honor their own and changing rhythms - taking us individually, and as a group, deeper into relationship with ourselves, each other, with nature and the spiritual aspects of the land and of nature beings.
"Living in the Hoh forever changed me. Hoh River Valley and Rainforest Retreats are life-changing for those who hear and respond to nature's calling. Retreaters have ranged in age from the 20's to 80. I hope you join Lori and Christina for a gentle yet life-changing experience!" - Llyn Cedar Roberts, MA
Lodging: We describe the lodging as ‘varying degrees of creatively rustic’. These are safe and inviting, yet, very simple and earthy spaces.
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There is one large cabin with four separate sleeping spaces. 'Cabin-dwellers' will each have a bed to place a sleeping bag upon. The cabin has a large wood stove, a full kitchen (standard sized electric stove with oven and full-sized refrigerator with all dish and cookware) where everyone will store and prepare the food, and eat. and a shared full bathroom. There are no machines to wash your clothes - let go of habituation and think 'simple'
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There is a large ‘bunkhouse’ with three wooden platforms topped with thick foam to place your sleeping bag upon. It has an outhouse and a wood-stove. ‘Bunk-housers' also have use of the cabin kitchen and bathroom facilities
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Tenting is a welcomed option. There is tenting space near the cabin and you can also tent on the extensive gravel bar of the Hoh River Bed. If you choose to tent, you will still have a cabin or bunkhouse bed reserved for you
Llyn “Cedar” Roberts lived in the ‘cabin’ for two years, while she wrote her half of the Gold Nautilus award-winning book Speaking with Nature. She spent much of her writing time in the ‘hut’. Visitors were lodged in the ‘bunkhouse’.
Water: Fresh, filtered running water from the pure glacial waters of the Hoh River comes out of the tap in the cabin, and fresh well water also runs from an outside spigot.
Food: Participants will consult together before the trip in order to plan the week’s meals and purchase needs and other details. Sharing meals together and preparing favorite home-cooked dishes for the group has become a wonderful part of the bonding experience. You are also welcomed to buy personal food items that you may want to have on hand just for you – and you can also feel free to bring food and home-prepared dishes in with you from home, assuming you live locally.
Weather: Although there are definitely exceptions, the weather is unpredictable. It is typically dry and warm in July and August, yet there can be rain. June and September are transitional months, there will likely be some rain. You will want to bring layers to accommodate daytime and evening temperatures, as even in July and August - although the sun can get very hot in the afternoon it can feel quite chilly at night after the sun sets and the winds pick up. Although summer is considered drought season, again please be prepared for weather extremes including rainstorms, at any time. You will receive a list of clothing and packing suggestions.
Travel and Meet-Up: If flying, you can rent a car at SeaTac airport, or schedule a shuttle ride or carpool with other participants from the airport. If renting or driving your own vehicle from the airport, or from elsewhere, you are asked to share rides once you arrive on the Peninsula. We ask for a limit of three cars traveling in to accommodate participants. We depart together from Sunny Farms in Sequim, WA on the first day of the retreat. Our exact meeting location will be announced. Please note that no one drives into, or departs from, the retreat location in the Hoh Rainforest without the group. You will receive full informational details upon registration confirmation.
Register soon as spaces fill quickly!
HOW TO ORIENT
Open to the Deep Mystery within Nature - and within You!
Deeply Listen
Rest, Sleep, Incubate, Dream
Open your Physical and Subtle Senses
Curious, Playful and Open Hearted
Muse, Write, Draw, Play and Wander
Perceive Beauty and Ordinary Magic
Embody 'Being' in the space with nature
REVIEWS
We left linear time, and all technology, to enter sacred time. We slowed down by being in silence while practicing deep listening. We communed with 1,000-year-old conifer trees, hanging moss, bright lichen, and ferns that were easily 5-feet tall. We snacked on huckleberries, salmonberries, thimbleberries (the leaves of which are nature’s toilet paper!). We made note of the tracks left by cougar, bobcat, and elk. We slowed down for banana slugs…walked for miles without seeing a soul and watched the mist settle on the trees at the end of the day. We shared meals together and sat around the fire telling stories under starry night skies. The balance of making time for nature and each other resulted in a feeling of well-being and love. Llyn’s teachings were gentle reminders to be in the magic, the one veiled by everyday busyness, but always available. Christina Burress San Diego, CA. USA
I'm very grateful to have experienced the Hoh Retreat. It was such a unique opportunity to bond with nature and others in a mystical and beautiful location. My subtle senses were turned on and I accessed new and helpful information. During and after my time in the Hoh, I felt more centered and peaceful than I have in a while. I'm clearer about how I’ve been living, and how I want to live. This vivid and enriching experience is a rare gift that will always be with me. If you're debating whether to go, just dive in. The Hoh's mystery, the spiritual practices, and community will transform you in unexpected ways. Kelly Shaw Chicago, IL. USA
Hoh River Valley and Rainforest Retreats are independently arranged and operated. They support OMEC's projects and its mission to encourage a sacred and responsible relationship with the Earth - and to honor ancient Earth-honoring wisdom ways.
NOTE: Retreats are non-refundable. May be applied to future retreat, you may also gift your retreat to someone else. Time restrictions apply. We reserve the right to update or change policies and procedures without notification. All Rights Reserved.
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