Heart of the Mountain Sesshin: A Backpacking Sesshin at the Bells Mountain

This is an unusual sesshin format: traditional Zen practice merged with backpacking and mountain exploration. Eight hours of daily zazen, chanting, and formal meals sit alongside guided hiking—the retreat treats the landscape itself as part of the teaching rather than removing practice from the natural world.

The schedule likely follows a standard sesshin rhythm (early rising, sitting periods separated by kinhin or walking meditation, oryoki meals, rest periods), but with the addition of guided hikes that become meditative practice in themselves. This is not a vigorous backpacking trip with sitting added on; it's sesshin where the mountain environment becomes the classroom.

Staying at base camp means shared accommodations and the logistics of mountain camping. Come prepared for weather, bring layers, and expect a full week away from phone signal or town amenities. This retreat suits people who sit regularly and want to explore how zazen works outside the zendo, or those with backpacking experience who want to try combining it with formal practice.