VISION QUEST
MOUNT HOOD WILDERNESS

VISION QUEST
led by Kay Porter, Ph.D.
Porter Performance Systems

In August we backpack into the base of Mt. Hood via a trail from Lolo Pass Road. We hike about 5 miles into a beautiful, wooded high meadow full of wildflowers and an expansive and spectacular view of Mt. Hood, the highest mountain in Oregon, at 11,239 feet. The hike is steep and rigorous, and worth the effort. We start hiking at about 4500' and camp at 5660'.

We pass through forests of Douglas fir, hemlock and other native Oregon plants and trees. As we hike, we enjoy the lush wild flowers along the trail and the small sreams intersecting the trail, full of cat's ear, old man of the mountain, pink and yellow monkeyflowers, red paintbursh, blue lupine, gentian, pink heather, bear grass, avalanche lilies, and more. Part of your experience will be to create an acute awareness of nature, sharpening your senses and your ability to see, feel and hear the wilderness.

At base camp we will invoke the seven directions, have a purification ceremony and pray for our visions. Questers then go to find their vision quest spot where they will spend the next 3 days and nights, calling for their vision. These three days and nights will be fasting with water and soloing. Soloing is spending time alone in the wilderness area in the quester's medicine circle, meditating, journaling and communing with nature and Great Spirit.

The fourth morning questers will return to base camp to convene together, receiving a nutritious and nurturing breakfast and discussing their experiences. Later that day, we will hike out to the trailhead and return to Eugene.

Mt. Hood is one of the most beautiful mountains in the Cascades. It is a powerful and pristine sacred site, honored by the native americans, past and present, and called Wy'East. Many trails go into the forest to connect with the 40 mile Timberline trail that circles the mountain. We will make our camp on the north side of the mountain, where there are plentiful streams and wildflowers.

Mt. Hood is a place of historic significance and wild beauty and I invite you to enjoy this beautiful mountain paradise while you search for answers to the important questions of your life.

Only groups of a maximum of six people can camp in the wilderness area, so if you are interested, please send your deposit of $350 to me asap to reserve your space. Let me know if you want to join us, and I'll send you a release. Total cost for the Vision Quest is $500.

Email me at: KayPorter1@aol.com, call (541) 342-6875, or send me your deposit at PO Box 5584, Eugene, OR 97405. This will be a wonderful trip. Hope you can join us! Summer in the Oregon wilderness is exquisite, and we'll have a great time!

NAME______________________________________________________________
ADDRESS___________________________________________________________
CITY__________________________________ STATE____ ZIP________________
EMAIL ADDRESS_____________________________________________________
AREACODE AND PHONE_________________________
DEPOSIT SENT $350______ OR MORE $___________
VISION QUEST: Rogue River____; Mt. Hood_____; Three Sisters____
Send to: Kay Porter, PO Box 5584, Eugene, OR 97405