faqs

+ what are your C19 precautions?

Our walks are socially distanced and take place in remote countryside in groups of no more than 6. On an ipse journey, we spend very little time in the presence of anyone apart from the leader and other participants. You can read our C-19 precautions here. We trust all participants to make decisions for themselves over whether or not to attend a walk. For those attending, we ask that you consider the following:

1. It is very important that you do not attend if you are suffering C19 symptoms; a fever, dry cough or loss of the sense of taste/smell.
2. Bring hand sanitizer with you on the walk and use before eating where hand-washing facilities are not available.
3. You may wish to use a face covering.

+ what does 'ipse' mean?

'IPSE' is an acronym for 4 aspects of well-being; intellectual, physical, spiritual and emotional. On ipse wilderness journeys, when we ask in circle time, 'how are you?', we really want to know, on all these levels. This might be the first time someone has asked you, and really listened to the answer! How ARE you, really?

Intellectually: how are your thoughts? Buzzing? Ordered? Slow? Sharp?

Physically: how is your body feeling? Strong? In pain? Bloated? Fit?

Spiritually: how connected do you feel? Lost? Curious? Isolated? Empathic?

Emotionally: what are your feelings? Sad? Angry? Happy? Anxious?

But 'ipse' is also a Latin pronoun meaning 'self'. You pronounce it IP-SAY. The word has masculine, feminine and neuter forms, meaning 'himself', 'herself' and 'itself'. So 'ipse wilderness' is a holistic approach to well-being, with a focus on self-exploration.

+ am i fit enough?

Probably. Most people worry that they're not fit enough, so you are in good company! These are hearty hikes but not extreme adventures. We walk at roughly 3 miles per hour, which means you need to be able to walk a mile comfortably in under 20 minutes. You can find out the mileage for each day on the journey listings. You need to be prepared to walk on consecutive days, carrying your kit. Please get in touch if you have any concerns about your fitness.

+ what kit do i need?

Please see our kit list. The essentials are walking boots, a hiking rucksack, a waterproof jacket, a personal first aid kit, a water bottle and warm clothing.

+ where do we sleep?

You can find more details on each journey listing, but usually in B&Bs or Youth Hostels. We share rooms, but single supplements are available on request.

+ what about food?

Good food is vital on a walking holiday! We eat at cafes, pubs and restaurants along the route, with occasional picnics or packed lunches. All dietary requirements can be catered for, although you are welcome to bring supplementary snacks.

+ what's the booking process?

You can book a journey by emailing us, or by following the links to Eequ, our ticketing site. We will confirm your booking via email, sending you our booking form, kit list and information for participants. We will send 2 further emails as the date approaches, and also offer a short phonecall to address any questions you may have.

+ can i see some client feedback?

Sure! People find ipse wilderness journeys inspiring, empowering and great fun. You can see some recent reviews here.

+ what is a well-being wilderness journey?

Any journey outside is really a journey inside. Our walks provide an opportunity for people to take time out from their busy lives, and find a better connection with nature, and their own nature, through some gentle practices to develop self-awareness, such as pair-sharing, group discussion and individual reflection. Our theory of change model explains how and why our version of ecotherapy works. See our blog for more background about well-being and wilderness.

+ what does that actually mean?

It’s just a walk. Each day there will be ‘invitations’ to contemplate certain aspects of our lives e.g. our sense of purpose, our feelings of loss. At certain points, we will allow the landscape to guide what we focus on, for example, at a sea wall, we might talk about the ways in which we ‘defend’ ourselves. In the evenings, there will be circle time where we can share as much or as little as we like and listen to other people speak their truth. There will be time to laugh, rest and play too.

+ do i have to be 'spiritual’ to take part?

No. Our circle time is non-denominational, and well-being is not necessarily ‘spiritual’; our journeys are grounded, practical and ‘hearty’ – invigorating walks, involving honest sharing with other people. Some might call our walks ‘pilgrimages’ in the sense of being a devotion; a time to devote to our well-being, and enjoy the reflective space of a simple walking journey. All faiths, beliefs and identities are welcome.

+ are the journeys safe?

Yes. The walking routes are on marked paths, and are not too strenuous. We are never far from civilization. You will never be forced to take part in any activity; there are just invitations to examine a concept, or to share your feelings about a topic. You are responsible for keeping yourself emotionally and physically safe throughout the walk. As the group leader, I am passionate about the outdoors and personal development. I have experience in guiding groups, and outdoors expeditions, and am trained in remote first aid. Please see our risk assessment for more information.

+ what if i have special needs or medical conditions?

Just let us know. We will ask you to complete a PARQ before taking part in a journey, to make sure it is suitable for you. We wish to be accessible and will do our best to accommodate your needs within our commitment to the safety of the group.

+ can i bring my dog?

Not on a journey, sorry. Most accommodation providers don't permit dogs. You are welcome to bring your dog on most day-walks. If in doubt, please ask.

+ can i have some more information?

Sure! Click here to read our information for participants. You can also find our policies and terms and conditions on our resources page. Do get in touch with your questions anytime.