The Wild Quest

The Wild Quest is a guided self-discovery journey into wild nature that invites participants to reconnect with themselves and the living world. In a time when the Earth urgently needs people who can bring new ways of being into life, this experience fosters deep inner reflection and a renewed sense of belonging.

Immersed in the wild, physically removed from everyday norms, you will gain fresh perspectives on who you are and how you fit into the larger web of life. Together we create space for deep personal encounters, exploring longings, vulnerabilities, and inner wisdom. 

The journey is shaped by intuitive nature threshold walks from Vision Quest traditions (School of Lost Borders / Bill Plotkin) and practices from Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects. There will also be space to reflect on personal conditioning, social privilege, and cultural appropriation. Throughout the week, a professional musician with simple guitar-based circle songs will support us in the process — to sing along is welcomed, yet not required. 

What You Will Experience

We will spend almost all of our time outdoors — sleeping in a tipi, simple wooden shelters (gapahuks), tarps, or underneath the star-filled sky.
With our (usually heavy) backpacks, we are going to hike for 3-4 hours to get deeper into wild nature. On the last day we hike back the same way we came (though backpacks will be a bit lighter because they carry less ). On all other days, we have a basecamp and hiking is optional (not a group activity). All meals are prepared over the bonfire. It will be vegan, organic food. Together we form a community in which practical cooperation plays an important role. 

Core Elements

• Introduction to wilderness living: fire making, outdoor cooking, basic navigation (map and compass)
• Nature-based process facilitation
• Intuitive nature walks / threshold experiences
• Practices from the Work That Reconnects
• Working with medicine wheels and other reflective tools

Setting & Logistics

We will spend 2 days exploring the Friluftsliv Park Helleviga and then we’ll be in the Åseral region near Bortelid for the remainder of our time.

Group & Requirements

To keep the group close-knit and supportive of personal growth, we limit participation to 13 people. No prior experience is required, but you should be fit enough for a 3–4 hour hike with a backpack at the beginning and end of the trip. Openness and psychological resilience are important; if you are currently facing significant mental health challenges, we recommend seeking professional support before joining. 

What to Bring

• A big backpack (min. 60 L)
• Sleeping mat and sleeping bag (comfort rating ~0°C)
• Personal snacks (e.g., nuts, dried fruit, tofu, bread)

A detailed packing list will be provided after registration.

Travel & Meeting Point

We meet on Friday, 25 July at 04:00 AM at the Institute for Movement Sciences (Turmweg 2, 20148 Hamburg).
Travel to Norway is by bus and ferry via Hirtshals and Kristiansand, shared with a student group to reduce both cost and CO₂ emissions. Return to Hamburg is planned for early morning on Monday, 4 August. 

If you need local transport after arrival in Hamburg, there is an option to stay overnight at the institute before continuing home. 

Carbon Offset

We estimate about 40–45 kg CO₂ per person for this travel. To compensate, we support Rettet die Naturvölker e.V., an organization that protects indigenous homelands and forests. We use a CO₂ price of €200 per ton, in line with recommendations from the German Environment Agency — much higher than standard offset rates. 

Facilitators

Bijan Ghaffari-Tabrizi
Bijan is an experienced guide for nature-based programmes centred around the search for purpose and meaning in life. He is a Psychotherapist (Gestalt Therapy) and a trained Vision Quest guide in the tradition of School of Lost Borders. Trained as a guide in Joanna Macy’s Work That Reconnects to hold space for people longing to create a more sustainable planet and society.