A wilderness fast in the tradition of Jesus

There is something about wild places...

Throughout the scriptures, stories of men’s encounters with God almost always happened out among wild places like the mountain, the desert, the cave, the river and the sea. It rarely happened in buildings, not even sacred buildings like the temple or a synagogue. The life of Jesus followed this path as well, from his forty day vision fast in the desert to his frequent trips to the mountain to pray, from the river where he was baptised to the sea on which he walked.

There is something absolutely enlivening about spending time in wild places, and when paired with intention and presence, remarkable things can happen. It is out there that we are both disoriented and reoriented, reminded of the greatness of the creation and the Creator and our own small place within it. Who knows what will happen when we show up!

On this expedition, we’ll leave our normal lives behind and step into the wilderness coupled with the ancient practice of fasting, anticipating that we’ll encounter a Wild God in ways that are more feral, more vivid, and more life-giving than what we encounter in the domesticated confines of a building that has doors, walls, and a steeple. It isn’t that God is different out there in the more-than-human world, but the truth of the matter is that we are. If you wish to answer this call, beware, the path will be hard and require something of you. Whatever happens will be unexpected and may not be what you wanted; it will be far better than what you wanted--it will be what you need.

Escalante Wilderness, Utah
Spring 2026

What

We'll be spending 6 days/5 nights, both together and a good chunk in the middle in a solo fast. Jesus not only did his initial fast for 40 days in the desert, but also kept going out into wild places for the length of his ministry. He knew that while God was available everywhere, somehow HE, Jesus, was more available away from the distractions of the village and the tasks of every day life. We will be following not only in the footsteps of Jesus, but also of so many others who have followed his lead and sought God in "fierce landscapes."

When

Tuesday - Sunday | April 28 -May 3, 2026

Tuesday. Travel drive to Wolverine Canyon trailhead, transportation from SLC is available

Wednesday - Saturday. Group Prep + Hike In + Solo Fast + Break Fast

Sunday. Drive back to SLC and fly home

Where

In these canyons one might get lost...and found. We're going Escalante region of Southern Utah. Starting at the Wolverine Canyon Trailhead we'll make our way to Horse Canyon, a long winding canyon that ends in the Escalante River

Why

There is a good reason Jesus was always going up on a mountain to pray. This way of being in the wild, wakens the body, opens the soul, calms and clears the mind, and invites spirit. A wilderness fast is a practice one might do multiple times per year, while the vision fast work I offer is a particular kind of wilderness fast that seeks clarity around a major life turning point.

Who:

This trip can be considered by any man, regardless of faith or experience. We will all be beginners together, apprentices to a Wild God whose love for us is far more than we can imagine. The only prerequisite is openness. This is for men who have been walking this journey a long time, and for those who are just setting out, those with deep faith and those with none at all, those who are old and those who are young.

Details:

Reach out to me for more arrangements. The suggested price, including food and transportation from SLC, is $1000 but money will never be the reason someone can or can't participate. If you want to come, we can make a way.

Space is very limited. We aim to keep the group at 12 or smaller.

Wolverine Trailhead

What Ned led us through was the most intense and beautiful and healing church retreat I've ever participated in or led. I am so filled with deep deep gratitude. All I want to do is twirl and sing the sound of music!

- Rev. Chris Pritchett, PCUSA Pastor and Henri Nouwen Society Board Member