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The Journey and the Return

2,650 mile walk, 3 months of silence. A year of spiritual practice, captured in images and words.

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The Journey and the Return

The Journey and the Return

The Journey and the Return

The Journey and the Return

The Journey and the Return

2,650 mile walk, 3 months of silence. A year of spiritual practice, captured in images and words.

2,650 mile walk, 3 months of silence. A year of spiritual practice, captured in images and words.

2,650 mile walk, 3 months of silence. A year of spiritual practice, captured in images and words.

2,650 mile walk, 3 months of silence. A year of spiritual practice, captured in images and words.

Patrick Wilkins
Patrick Wilkins
Patrick Wilkins
Patrick Wilkins
1 Campaign |
Brattleboro, United States
$5,505 USD 49 backers
110% of $5,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Choose your Perk

Good Karma

$1 USD
0 claimed

Better Karma

$5 USD
0 claimed

Samadhi

$10 USD
Est. Shipping
December 2015
1 claimed

Yogi

$25 USD
Est. Shipping
December 2015
12 claimed

The Noble Truth

$50 USD
Est. Shipping
December 2015
10 claimed

Dharma

$100 USD
Est. Shipping
December 2015
4 claimed

Sangha

$500 USD
Est. Shipping
December 2015
2 claimed

Buddha

$1,000 USD
Est. Shipping
December 2015
0 out of 4 of claimed

The Journey and the Return

  • April 2015-September 2015:  2,650 mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail
  • September 2015-December 2015:  Three month silent meditation retreat

My name is Patrick Wilkins.  I've practiced photography for over a decade, I've been writing of life and travel for almost as long, and I've been interested in meditation and Buddhism for the past eight years.  This campaign combines all of these passions into one cohesive package.  In 2015 I will embark on a five month journey hiking the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail (with my fiance, Meggie,) from Mexico to Canada, taking pictures all the way.  Then, I will return to the northeast where I will sit in silent meditation for three months.  At the end of the whole experience, I will put together a beautiful photo book, and I will write my first ever nonfiction account of my experiences and insights.

The most important parts of my life are human connection, wilderness connection, artistic endeavor, and spiritual practice.  This campaign supports every one of these aspects.  By contributing, you will be helping me to deepen my artistic expression through photos and the written word, as well as giving me the opportunity to deepen my spiritual practice through wilderness pilgrimage and monastic life.


"We need challenge in our practice, because our natural state lies beyond the reach of what we conceptually know."

                                                                     -Tibetan Master Sakyong Mipham


What I Get, What You Get

I'm hoping to raise $5,000 dollars for this trip.  The break down of funds ends up being about half and half--$2,500 for my trip, and $2,500 for the perks.  My half of the funds go directly to supporting my hike and sit.  Although I'm extremely frugal when on foot, I will need to pay for five months of food, and replace the gear which inevitably fails on such a long hike.  Additionally, the money helps me to afford the three-month silent retreat.  As of the start of this campaign, I owe $1,500 to the meditation center. 

In return for supporting me, the perks include lovely photo cards, a beautiful photo calendar, a gorgeously printed photo book, signed and framed prints, and most contributors get my first written book ever(!) of reflections from the trip.


"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."

                                                                                                      -John Muir

    Risks & Challenges

    My greatest challenge will be the physicality of walking 2,650 miles over 5 months.  I have done two separate 500 mile hikes, I have bicycled over 1,000 miles at a shot, and I generally don't shy away from strenuous physical exercise.  Just ask anyone who's seen the multiple acres of land I cleared by hand over the past 5 years and the metric tons of stone I gathered to build the foundation of my house!

    Your greatest challenge will be having patience for the perks.  All of the photo perks will be sent out in December of 2015, after the meditation retreat.  The written book will be sent out in late 2016.

    Other Ways You Can Help

    If you feel inspired at all by my campaign, please share it with others!  Networking and word of mouth are incredibly helpful!  Here's the project link---> The Journey and the Return

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