Wild New Year's Eve!

An alternative event for the wild ones!

Mentored by

Julia Sands

Expedition Leader/Wilderness Guide

Organisation links
Location address: Lewes, BN7 3AJ
Chosen age group:

For ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Standard £100
Next date: None - Register your interest
A SUMMARY
Find your tribe for a New Year's Eve with a difference! Join a team of like-minded people for a wilderness micro-adventure that will set you up to approach the new year with courage in your heart, a spring in your step and a group of new friends at your back. This is a 24hr wilderness expedition on the South Downs, featuring a spectacular day-hike, a secret wild camp, and a cold sea swim to welcome in 2023 with a roar (or squeal!), led by Julia, a qualified expedition leader and eco-therapy guide. We will be hiking a section of the South Downs. The walk is guided, incorporating talking prompts inspired by the landscape and some opportunities to connect with nature. The aim is to encourage gentle self-reflection and a spirit of gratitude. You'll be invited to share your feelings about what's going on in your life, and to contemplate your strengths and achievements, as well as exploring what's missing in your life right now. In the evening, there will be space for games, story-telling, and resolution-setting to celebrate the new year. We will be tucked up in our sleeping bags well before midnight, but we can always wriggle out to watch the fireworks and enjoy a hot toddy! You will just need to carry a day bag (waterproof jacket, warm layer, water, snacks, head torch etc) for the hike. The route can be muddy, so walking poles and gaiters are a good idea if you have them. You will need to provide all your camping kit; a tent or bivvy bag, a sleeping bag, a roll mat and plenty of extra warm layers. This kit can be left securely in team members' cars during the day hike and we will pick it up in the evening before we pitch camp. Therefore you may want to bring luxuries such as blankets, a pillow and a hot water bottle! After the hike, we eat supper at the pub and spend time there warming up, so you won't go to bed cold and wet. Route: Undulating footpaths and tracks. Accommodation: Wild camping - bring your own tent or bivvi bag. Difficulty: Stretching; walking distance 6+ miles, undulating terrain, pace 3mph, cold conditions likely! Programme: 31st: Meet 9am. Set up camp. 'Walk and Talk' over South Downs. Cafe lunch and rest. Walk on. Forest Bathing. Pub supper. Group games. Fireside NYE celebration. Wild camping overnight. 1st: Pack up camp. Short walk to viewpoint. Wild sea swim. Breakfast at cafe. Depart 11am. Cost: £100. Includes guided reflective activities, campsite fees, firewood and celebratory gifts. Does not include pub/cafe meals or drinks. If you've always hated NYE but never known how to have it be different... join us! This is your tribe! Gift vouchers are available. Contact me if you'd like to give this experience as a wild and unique present for a loved one this Christmas. Please use the purple 'Contact Mentor' button to express your interest or ask me any questions. You can also find more information at www.ipsewilderness.co.uk.
About your mentor
Julia Sands
Expedition Leader/Wilderness Guide
I am a wilderness therapy facilitator, with a background in teaching and expedition leading. Having grown up on a diet of Type 2 fun, served as an army cadet officer, travelled extensively and led youth expeditions all over the world, I walked a solo pilgrimage of the Camino de Santiago, which inspired me to commit to a life of simplicity and freedom. My passion is to empower people to experience the positive benefits of time spent immersed in nature, to come into a more fulsome awareness of their own nature, and to access joy for themselves through a life of self-expression, honesty and courage. Having led walks over the South Downs for three years, in this experience I have woven together my love for the landscape with the thrill of cold water swimming and my passion for empowering wilderness adventures. And I happen to have also created the only sort of New Year's Eve I ever want to have!
Learning aims
Aim 1
To undertake a hearty 24hr wild adventure in midwinter!
Aim 2
To give thanks for the old year and set resolutions for the new.
Aim 3
To connect to nature, ourselves and others.
Pricing information
Ticket nameStandard
Price£100
PHOTO GALLERY
Where we'll be
Plumpton Lane, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 3AJ
Safety
Enhanced DBS
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
Safeguarding Training
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
I am not able to offer refunds in general but may be able to if there is good notice.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.