Welcome to Beyond the Gates, 2019!
This is our fourth year, and it almost didn't happen! We're so excited that we are able to stay on our annual schedule, and present another fun-filled weekend for you!
Columbia Grove, ADF and the festival committee wants you to feel welcomed and at home. This will be a weekend of discovery, camaraderie, love, unity, and of course magic! As Pagans, Druids, Wiccans, Heathens, and everything else under the Neo-Pagan umbrella, all are welcome! We have created this welcome packet to give you as much information as possible so you will feel fully prepared for your journey Beyond the Gates. May you find the Sanctuary you need to replenish yourself and be one with the Divine, with Nature, and with the Voices of the Past.
~Arin H and the BtG Committee
About Trout Lake Abbey
Trout Lake Abbey is a Spiritual Complex consisting of the Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple and the White Mountain Druid Sanctuary Complex, along with a certified organic farm selling honey, eggs, and other products, an alpaca farm, and a bed and breakfast. They also grow many fragrant flowers and a produce garden, which are pollinated by on-site bee hives.
The Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple, run by the Venerable Kozen, is a small country temple with both Rinzai and Soto Zen traditions. They have a gorgeous, silent, buddhist meditation garden with many buddhist statues, meditation huts, and a hostel lodge with 8 bunk beds.
The White Mountain Druid Sanctuary, run by Rev. Kirk Thomas, has a magnificent standing stone circle with permanent well, fire, and tree installations, a walking labyrinth, a cob-hut sanctuary, and permanent shrines for Lugh, the Dagda, the Morrigan, Taranus, Cernunnos, Salmona, and the Nature Spirits, with one currently being constructed to the Llew. Kirk Thomas holds public rituals in this sanctuary for each of the 8 High Days.
The Bed and Breakfast offers organic, sustainable, and delicious food for those who stay the night. There are rooms with 1 King bed, 2 Queen beds, and double Twin beds, all for very reasonable rates. You can find out more about the Abbey and the bed and breakfast accommodations at http://www.tlaabbey.com
Directions to Trout Lake Abbey
There are two routes to take. The I-84 is quicker but involves a $1 toll bridge. The SR-14 route is much more scenic and has no toll bridge, but takes longer.
From I-84
Take the US-30 exit, EXIT 64, toward OR-35/MT. HOOD HWY./WHITE SALMON/GOVT. CAMP over the bridge toward Washington State. The Hood River Bridge is a toll bridge, costing $1.
Turn LEFT onto WA-14 W and drive 1.5 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto WA-141 Alt (Just before the White Salmon River Bridge). If you end up in Skamania County you've gone to far!
After 2.2 Miles, turn LEFT at the top of the hill onto WA 141
Drive about 16.2 miles past Husam and BZ Corners
Turn RIGHT onto Warner Rd. (Google Maps will say Glenwood, but it's actually Warner). Landmarks you will see are a brown sign to Conboy Lake Wildlife Refuge 10 miles, then a green sign for Trout Lake and Glenwood - arrow to right. You can see the mile marker 21 just ahead as you turn.
Drive 1 mile until the road ends then turn RIGHT onto Stoller Rd.
Drive .4 miles - the Abbey is the last property on the paged road on the LEFT. You will see a large field and a 3 story tall red barn. You will also see a sign at the driveway announcing Trout Lake Abbey
From SR-14.
From I-5, take exit 1A for WA-14E towards Camas.
Follow WA-14 from Vancouver for 62.9 miles.
Turn left onto WA-141 Alt/141 Alternate N and follow the rest of the directions above.
Check-in Information
Gates open at 12 PM on Thursday, August 22nd. The check-in will be located near the Trout Lake Abbey driveway/parking, under the trees. Check-in will close at 7:30 PM, when opening ritual starts at the Stone Circle. Check-in may not be manned outside of these hours, but a member of Columbia Grove will be available, and you can locate us by looking for someone with a wooden name tag. If you need to make special accommodations for check-in please contact [email protected] before Wednesday, August 21st. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to check email after that date.
When you check in you'll be able to find a map of the site, a lost and found, and directions to your accommodations. You'll be asked for the name on your tickets, and we'll provide you with a festival token. If you have bought your meal plan, your token will include an indication of that, and you may be asked to show this at meal times, so make sure to keep it on you! We will also be asking you to read and sign a Liability Waiver and a Code of Conduct at this time.
Site Rules and Regulations
Quiet Areas: We wish to honor the Mt. Adams Zen Buddhist Temple and the White Mountain Druid Sanctuary, therefore the Meditation hut area, the Walking Labyrinth, and the Sanctuary are designated quiet spaces 24/7. Trout Lake Abbey does have neighbors, so quiet time for the entire festival grounds is 10 PM. We will have the Conference room above the Garage after 10 PM where we can be as loud as we like. We do encourage hand drums and musical instruments for bardic circles; amplified instruments are not allowed.
Nudity: Beyond the Gates is not a clothing optional event. Please respect our Buddhist brethren.
Smoking, Drugs, and Alcohol: Smoking (including e-cigarettes, and cannabis) is only allowed in designated areas. We will provide butt containers. DO NOT LEAVE BUTTS ANYWHERE. Illegal drugs are prohibited. Alcohol (BYOB) may be consumed by adults 21 years and older. No substances of any kind may be used in any of the designated buddhist areas. Please refrain from over-intoxication, any unacceptable behavior while intoxicated will be addressed. ANY behavior deemed as harassment or assault will be grounds for removal from the festival and police intervention as necessary, regardless of if the perpetrator(s) be sober or intoxicated.
Buddhist Temple Area: NO SEX, DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING OR LOUD NOISES ALLOWED in any part of the Buddhist Temple area, including the meditation huts. Again, please respect the Buddhists and Kozen who are allowing us to use their area.
Fires: Fire safety is extremely important. Due to fire regulations no personal fires will be allowed. Camp stoves will be allowed as long as they are not left unattended, and are not located on flammable surfaces. There will be a fire pit near the main house, which is the only acceptable location for a fire, under Kirk Thomas' supervision.
Trash, Recycling, and Compost: Trout Lake Abbey practices sustainability. Please make sure to leave no trace that you were there. There will be recycling and compost stations at the kitchen. Please check signs on compost containers, as the rules for compost are different on this organic farm than you may be familiar with. If you have questions, ask first!
Showers and Restrooms: There are two outdoor showers in the camping field and indoor showers near the kitchen. The outdoor showers are heated by propane. Please wear shower shoes for safety. There will be port-a-potties near the barn, restrooms near the kitchen, and one water closet upstairs. Do NOT flush any hygiene products down the toilets. Trout Lake Abbey provides their own soap and shampoo and ask that you use what is provided.
First Aid: Groups and individuals are responsible for their own safety. Please bring your own allergy medication and epi-pen if you are allergic to bites or stings. Note, there have been instances of hornets on the property, if you see a nest, please report it to a staff member.
Parking: Park only in the designated areas listed on the site map. Overflow parking will be along the north fence, but only if absolutely necessary. No vehicles will be permitted to stay in the tent camping area. You may pull in to drop off supplies, but must park in the designated parking. RV parking is only allowed around the Elder grove near the entrance. There is no electricity for RV parking, and if you have a generator, please do not run it past 10 PM. If you are planning to camp in your vehicle, please do so in the parking area.
Lost and Found: Will be located in a marked storage box on the patio of the Lion Hut. If you have left the site and realized you left something behind, contact [email protected]. You may have to pay for shipping.
Code of Conduct
Harassment concerns? Flag down a Staff Member to discuss or report an incident or concern.
Harassment and offensive behavior
We want Beyond the Gates to be a safe and comfortable space. Harassment and offensive behavior are prohibited. This includes but is not limited to:
Any violation of this code of conduct or illegal action may be handled by a warning, temporary festival suspension, permanent ban, and/or police intervention, in our sole discretion.
Allowable activity at the festival is at our discretion and the discretion of the property owners. If an authorized staff member or a property owner tells you to stop doing something, remove an item, or leave an area, then it has the weight of this code of conduct.
Photography
Be polite with your camera and how you conduct your photography or recording. Photography and recording of other attendees are only permitted when permission is given by individuals. We respect the privacy of our attendees. Ask first and respect their wishes. This also applies to workshop contents. Please note photos may be taken during ritual. If you do not wish to have your photo taken, please let a Staff Member know.
Things to know and bring
Ask permission before touching anything that does not belong to you, including musical instruments and ritual implements.
Respect Ritual and Sacred Space. Respect the signs to remove your shoes. Almost all indoor areas are a shoe-free zone. If for any reason you need to keep shoes on, please use the shoe coverings provided, so that you’re not tracking anything indoors. Easily removed shoes are best. The Mt. Adams Zen Buddhist Temple (the red barn) is to be respected with quiet reverence. The same goes for the Sanctuary (the cob building near the Stone Circle); these are quiet spaces, please do not talk while there. The only exception is during the morning and evening devotionals in the Sanctuary. If the Stone Circle is being used for ritual, please be reverent if not participating. The Walking Labyrinth is available at all hours for quiet walking meditations.
Swimming in the pond is discouraged but not prohibited. It is an irrigation drainage pond so there could be any kind of organism in there. If you do choose to swim, make sure to shower immediately afterwards for your own safety.
Trout Lake Abbey is several miles from any other location except private homesteads, so please dress as if you were prepared for any weather, including, but not limited to wind, rain, and excessive heat. Snow is unlikely in August.
Things to Bring if you're Camping
• Tent(s), tent stakes, and tarps
• Sleeping bag and/or bedding (nights can be chilly-pack accordingly)
• Clothing and footwear for all conceivable weather conditions; hiking boots if you want to go exploring. Easily removed shoes are best, if you are going indoors frequently.
• Personal hygiene and healthcare items, including prescription medications necessary for your personal health maintenance. Please note, shampoo and soap are provided, please use these items.
• matches or lighter
• Flashlights or camping lanterns. Many parts of the festival grounds are NOT lit at night. This is great for stargazing, but not so great for finding your tent! Flashlights are highly recommended. We cannot recommend relying on your phone, unless you are sure you can keep it charged.
• Batteries
• Rain Gear
• Decorations for your area, should you desire.
• Something comfortable to sit on. Folding chairs will be provided for workshops.
• Butt cans if you plan to smoke, or anticipate that you might. Remember though that smoking is restricted to designated areas.
Additional Items to Bring (even if you are not camping!)
• Sunscreen, main Stone Circle is full sun during the day.
• Mosquito repellent. Open flame citronella candles/torches are not allowed.
• Drums, rattles, bells, and or other musical instruments. Please note the 10 PM curfew, and do not play instruments in designated buddhist areas.
• Ceremonial clothing
• networking information to share
• Cash for vendor purchases (in case the vendor cannot process card payments, there is no ATM on location)
• Offerings for the rituals. We will have four rituals throughout the event, an opening ritual and a closing ritual, an Friday evening ritual, and our main ritual honoring the Liminal. Bring any offerings you will want to give to your spiritual beings during these rituals. Incense will be available in exchange for any price you think is appropriate, or handed out as gifts.
• If you wish to make offerings at any of the shrines, be sure to bring those with you. You may also leave items at the shrines to charge during the festival, if you so desire. Please remember to take them home with you, if you so desire.
• Anything you may wish to charge with the energy of the festival. If you wish to leave something at the base of the tree to charge, be sure that it is weather proof!
• Anything to add to a safe, comfortable, and fun weekend.
• Bring something for the silent auction! All proceeds will go to Trout Lake Abbey!!
We look forward to seeing you Beyond the Gates!
This is our fourth year, and it almost didn't happen! We're so excited that we are able to stay on our annual schedule, and present another fun-filled weekend for you!
Columbia Grove, ADF and the festival committee wants you to feel welcomed and at home. This will be a weekend of discovery, camaraderie, love, unity, and of course magic! As Pagans, Druids, Wiccans, Heathens, and everything else under the Neo-Pagan umbrella, all are welcome! We have created this welcome packet to give you as much information as possible so you will feel fully prepared for your journey Beyond the Gates. May you find the Sanctuary you need to replenish yourself and be one with the Divine, with Nature, and with the Voices of the Past.
~Arin H and the BtG Committee
About Trout Lake Abbey
Trout Lake Abbey is a Spiritual Complex consisting of the Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple and the White Mountain Druid Sanctuary Complex, along with a certified organic farm selling honey, eggs, and other products, an alpaca farm, and a bed and breakfast. They also grow many fragrant flowers and a produce garden, which are pollinated by on-site bee hives.
The Mount Adams Zen Buddhist Temple, run by the Venerable Kozen, is a small country temple with both Rinzai and Soto Zen traditions. They have a gorgeous, silent, buddhist meditation garden with many buddhist statues, meditation huts, and a hostel lodge with 8 bunk beds.
The White Mountain Druid Sanctuary, run by Rev. Kirk Thomas, has a magnificent standing stone circle with permanent well, fire, and tree installations, a walking labyrinth, a cob-hut sanctuary, and permanent shrines for Lugh, the Dagda, the Morrigan, Taranus, Cernunnos, Salmona, and the Nature Spirits, with one currently being constructed to the Llew. Kirk Thomas holds public rituals in this sanctuary for each of the 8 High Days.
The Bed and Breakfast offers organic, sustainable, and delicious food for those who stay the night. There are rooms with 1 King bed, 2 Queen beds, and double Twin beds, all for very reasonable rates. You can find out more about the Abbey and the bed and breakfast accommodations at http://www.tlaabbey.com
Directions to Trout Lake Abbey
There are two routes to take. The I-84 is quicker but involves a $1 toll bridge. The SR-14 route is much more scenic and has no toll bridge, but takes longer.
From I-84
Take the US-30 exit, EXIT 64, toward OR-35/MT. HOOD HWY./WHITE SALMON/GOVT. CAMP over the bridge toward Washington State. The Hood River Bridge is a toll bridge, costing $1.
Turn LEFT onto WA-14 W and drive 1.5 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto WA-141 Alt (Just before the White Salmon River Bridge). If you end up in Skamania County you've gone to far!
After 2.2 Miles, turn LEFT at the top of the hill onto WA 141
Drive about 16.2 miles past Husam and BZ Corners
Turn RIGHT onto Warner Rd. (Google Maps will say Glenwood, but it's actually Warner). Landmarks you will see are a brown sign to Conboy Lake Wildlife Refuge 10 miles, then a green sign for Trout Lake and Glenwood - arrow to right. You can see the mile marker 21 just ahead as you turn.
Drive 1 mile until the road ends then turn RIGHT onto Stoller Rd.
Drive .4 miles - the Abbey is the last property on the paged road on the LEFT. You will see a large field and a 3 story tall red barn. You will also see a sign at the driveway announcing Trout Lake Abbey
From SR-14.
From I-5, take exit 1A for WA-14E towards Camas.
Follow WA-14 from Vancouver for 62.9 miles.
Turn left onto WA-141 Alt/141 Alternate N and follow the rest of the directions above.
Check-in Information
Gates open at 12 PM on Thursday, August 22nd. The check-in will be located near the Trout Lake Abbey driveway/parking, under the trees. Check-in will close at 7:30 PM, when opening ritual starts at the Stone Circle. Check-in may not be manned outside of these hours, but a member of Columbia Grove will be available, and you can locate us by looking for someone with a wooden name tag. If you need to make special accommodations for check-in please contact [email protected] before Wednesday, August 21st. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to check email after that date.
When you check in you'll be able to find a map of the site, a lost and found, and directions to your accommodations. You'll be asked for the name on your tickets, and we'll provide you with a festival token. If you have bought your meal plan, your token will include an indication of that, and you may be asked to show this at meal times, so make sure to keep it on you! We will also be asking you to read and sign a Liability Waiver and a Code of Conduct at this time.
Site Rules and Regulations
Quiet Areas: We wish to honor the Mt. Adams Zen Buddhist Temple and the White Mountain Druid Sanctuary, therefore the Meditation hut area, the Walking Labyrinth, and the Sanctuary are designated quiet spaces 24/7. Trout Lake Abbey does have neighbors, so quiet time for the entire festival grounds is 10 PM. We will have the Conference room above the Garage after 10 PM where we can be as loud as we like. We do encourage hand drums and musical instruments for bardic circles; amplified instruments are not allowed.
Nudity: Beyond the Gates is not a clothing optional event. Please respect our Buddhist brethren.
Smoking, Drugs, and Alcohol: Smoking (including e-cigarettes, and cannabis) is only allowed in designated areas. We will provide butt containers. DO NOT LEAVE BUTTS ANYWHERE. Illegal drugs are prohibited. Alcohol (BYOB) may be consumed by adults 21 years and older. No substances of any kind may be used in any of the designated buddhist areas. Please refrain from over-intoxication, any unacceptable behavior while intoxicated will be addressed. ANY behavior deemed as harassment or assault will be grounds for removal from the festival and police intervention as necessary, regardless of if the perpetrator(s) be sober or intoxicated.
Buddhist Temple Area: NO SEX, DRUGS, ALCOHOL, SMOKING OR LOUD NOISES ALLOWED in any part of the Buddhist Temple area, including the meditation huts. Again, please respect the Buddhists and Kozen who are allowing us to use their area.
Fires: Fire safety is extremely important. Due to fire regulations no personal fires will be allowed. Camp stoves will be allowed as long as they are not left unattended, and are not located on flammable surfaces. There will be a fire pit near the main house, which is the only acceptable location for a fire, under Kirk Thomas' supervision.
Trash, Recycling, and Compost: Trout Lake Abbey practices sustainability. Please make sure to leave no trace that you were there. There will be recycling and compost stations at the kitchen. Please check signs on compost containers, as the rules for compost are different on this organic farm than you may be familiar with. If you have questions, ask first!
Showers and Restrooms: There are two outdoor showers in the camping field and indoor showers near the kitchen. The outdoor showers are heated by propane. Please wear shower shoes for safety. There will be port-a-potties near the barn, restrooms near the kitchen, and one water closet upstairs. Do NOT flush any hygiene products down the toilets. Trout Lake Abbey provides their own soap and shampoo and ask that you use what is provided.
First Aid: Groups and individuals are responsible for their own safety. Please bring your own allergy medication and epi-pen if you are allergic to bites or stings. Note, there have been instances of hornets on the property, if you see a nest, please report it to a staff member.
Parking: Park only in the designated areas listed on the site map. Overflow parking will be along the north fence, but only if absolutely necessary. No vehicles will be permitted to stay in the tent camping area. You may pull in to drop off supplies, but must park in the designated parking. RV parking is only allowed around the Elder grove near the entrance. There is no electricity for RV parking, and if you have a generator, please do not run it past 10 PM. If you are planning to camp in your vehicle, please do so in the parking area.
Lost and Found: Will be located in a marked storage box on the patio of the Lion Hut. If you have left the site and realized you left something behind, contact [email protected]. You may have to pay for shipping.
Code of Conduct
Harassment concerns? Flag down a Staff Member to discuss or report an incident or concern.
Harassment and offensive behavior
We want Beyond the Gates to be a safe and comfortable space. Harassment and offensive behavior are prohibited. This includes but is not limited to:
- unwanted physical contact
- threats
- heckling or jeering, either to a person or at an event
- staying near another person who has asked you to leave
- any form of rude, offensive, or disruptive behavior
- other banned conduct in festival space
- over-intoxication
- use of illegal drugs
- smoking outside of the designated areas
- lewd conduct
- unsafe behavior, including real or play fighting.
Any violation of this code of conduct or illegal action may be handled by a warning, temporary festival suspension, permanent ban, and/or police intervention, in our sole discretion.
Allowable activity at the festival is at our discretion and the discretion of the property owners. If an authorized staff member or a property owner tells you to stop doing something, remove an item, or leave an area, then it has the weight of this code of conduct.
Photography
Be polite with your camera and how you conduct your photography or recording. Photography and recording of other attendees are only permitted when permission is given by individuals. We respect the privacy of our attendees. Ask first and respect their wishes. This also applies to workshop contents. Please note photos may be taken during ritual. If you do not wish to have your photo taken, please let a Staff Member know.
Things to know and bring
Ask permission before touching anything that does not belong to you, including musical instruments and ritual implements.
Respect Ritual and Sacred Space. Respect the signs to remove your shoes. Almost all indoor areas are a shoe-free zone. If for any reason you need to keep shoes on, please use the shoe coverings provided, so that you’re not tracking anything indoors. Easily removed shoes are best. The Mt. Adams Zen Buddhist Temple (the red barn) is to be respected with quiet reverence. The same goes for the Sanctuary (the cob building near the Stone Circle); these are quiet spaces, please do not talk while there. The only exception is during the morning and evening devotionals in the Sanctuary. If the Stone Circle is being used for ritual, please be reverent if not participating. The Walking Labyrinth is available at all hours for quiet walking meditations.
Swimming in the pond is discouraged but not prohibited. It is an irrigation drainage pond so there could be any kind of organism in there. If you do choose to swim, make sure to shower immediately afterwards for your own safety.
Trout Lake Abbey is several miles from any other location except private homesteads, so please dress as if you were prepared for any weather, including, but not limited to wind, rain, and excessive heat. Snow is unlikely in August.
Things to Bring if you're Camping
• Tent(s), tent stakes, and tarps
• Sleeping bag and/or bedding (nights can be chilly-pack accordingly)
• Clothing and footwear for all conceivable weather conditions; hiking boots if you want to go exploring. Easily removed shoes are best, if you are going indoors frequently.
• Personal hygiene and healthcare items, including prescription medications necessary for your personal health maintenance. Please note, shampoo and soap are provided, please use these items.
• matches or lighter
• Flashlights or camping lanterns. Many parts of the festival grounds are NOT lit at night. This is great for stargazing, but not so great for finding your tent! Flashlights are highly recommended. We cannot recommend relying on your phone, unless you are sure you can keep it charged.
• Batteries
• Rain Gear
• Decorations for your area, should you desire.
• Something comfortable to sit on. Folding chairs will be provided for workshops.
• Butt cans if you plan to smoke, or anticipate that you might. Remember though that smoking is restricted to designated areas.
Additional Items to Bring (even if you are not camping!)
• Sunscreen, main Stone Circle is full sun during the day.
• Mosquito repellent. Open flame citronella candles/torches are not allowed.
• Drums, rattles, bells, and or other musical instruments. Please note the 10 PM curfew, and do not play instruments in designated buddhist areas.
• Ceremonial clothing
• networking information to share
• Cash for vendor purchases (in case the vendor cannot process card payments, there is no ATM on location)
• Offerings for the rituals. We will have four rituals throughout the event, an opening ritual and a closing ritual, an Friday evening ritual, and our main ritual honoring the Liminal. Bring any offerings you will want to give to your spiritual beings during these rituals. Incense will be available in exchange for any price you think is appropriate, or handed out as gifts.
• If you wish to make offerings at any of the shrines, be sure to bring those with you. You may also leave items at the shrines to charge during the festival, if you so desire. Please remember to take them home with you, if you so desire.
• Anything you may wish to charge with the energy of the festival. If you wish to leave something at the base of the tree to charge, be sure that it is weather proof!
• Anything to add to a safe, comfortable, and fun weekend.
• Bring something for the silent auction! All proceeds will go to Trout Lake Abbey!!
We look forward to seeing you Beyond the Gates!