Live tracking: https://www.polarsteps.com/PaulFosterSwcp/26209632-south-west-coast-path

Fundraising to keep Guhyaloka, known as “The Secret Valley”, a retreat centre in Spain where men in Triratna spend three months on ordination retreat—open, as it faces closure by the Spanish authorities without improvements. The aim is also to expand its operations to include intensive meditation retreats at other times of the year.

The South West Coast Path runs 630 miles from Minehead to Poole, rising and falling along headlands, estuaries, and cliffs, making for a total ascent of 35,031m–just under four Everests.

I'll attempt to walk the entire path in a month, averaging roughly 25 miles (a marathon) and 1,250m of ascent (1 Ben Nevis) a day. I'll sleep in a bivvy bag and sleeping bag, using a tarp for rainy or windy nights, whilst picking up food and water in the villages along the route.

I'll ritually bury a (biodegradable) three jewels at the start and end of the path.

The inspiration for this came during a Mythic Context retreat at Padmaloka, reflecting on the symbolic and literal role of physical journey. Such as the Buddha's journey from home to homeless life, Avalokiteśvara's crossing of the Himalayas to aid Tibet, or the one taken by men in Triratna to Guhyaloka for ordination.

More information about Guhyaloka can be found here: https://guhyaloka.org/fortheages/