
Pujas with Altitude
Taraloka Goes Wild – again!
Snowdonia Sea to Summit: ‘Crown of Thorns’
5-7 Sept 2025
1 island / 1 ancient cairn circle / 3 pujas / 1 mountain / 12 miles

Do puja in wild places, challenge yourself physically, make Sangha friends and raise money for Taraloka’s New Roof and Solar Panels project!

In 2025: the Snowdonian Rhinogs! Reach a tidal island at low tide, Ynys Gifftan, then walk through ancient lanes and woodlands to the ‘Crown of Thorns’, prehistoric cairn circle and sacred place, and up onto one of the wildest summits of Wales, the ‘Bare Hill of the Hares’, Moel Ysgyfarnagod.
Pujas with Altitude will be a full day out – we’ll begin the event at dawn and (hopefully) finish by dusk. We’ll be out for at least 12 hours, including doing three pujas at significant places en route.
with Maitrisiddhi, Maitridevi, Cesca, Natalia and hopefully Suryahridaya.
Read on for more info.




Essential Info: ‘Crown of Thorns’ Pujas With Altitude
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Participation agreement
I’m going to be completely up front about this: legally this is an informal event along the same lines as a group of friends doing something together. Neither Maitridevi nor Maitrisiddhi are qualified mountain leaders, and there’s no insurance. We are under the wire! So if you are wanting something different, please don’t come.
Maitrisiddhi: ‘I’ve been walking in the mountains since I was fourteen, much of it alone, and spent many years mountaineering and rock climbing in many different countries – and I’ve always loved the North Wales mountains. I am quite sensible and experienced and I’m taking this mountain challenge event seriously. But I don’t hold a formal qualification. Please get in touch with me if you’d like to discuss this.’
Before starting the event, we’ll need everyone to sign to say that you understand and are happy with the informal basis for this event.
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Fundraising
We’re asking all participants to raise a minimum of £200 sponsorship (or make a donation of this amount) for Taraloka’s ‘New Roofs and Solar Panels’ project. We’ll give you resources and information to help you fundraise – it’s easier than you think! When you book, we ask for a £25 non-refundable booking fee – just to make sure folk are committed to coming. But that can count towards the total £200.
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Accommodation:
We’re currently exploring options for campsites / bunkhouses in the area. When you book, you’ll be asked your accommodation preferences. Each of us pays for our own travel (including shared taxis back from end of route) and accommodation choices.
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Travel to North Wales
If you’re travelling by car, we’ll let you know the campsite/hostel location when we’ve finalised the booking. It will be in the Harlech / Porthmadog area.
If you’re travelling by rail or bus, you can go direct to Porthmadog / Harlech, or get the train to Whitchurch (Salop) and travel across Wales with the Taralokans.
We’ll finalise arrival and departure times later in the year.
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How fit do I need to be?
‘Crown of Thorns’ Pujas with Altitude will cover around 12 miles and 1000m of climb, often on steep, uneven ground. You may already be an active sporty person or regular hillwalker, in which case you’ll probably be fine. But make sure you’re not caught out – walking uphill on uneven ground for several hours is quite a different kettle of fish to walking on the flat or running in a gym. The best way of getting an idea of where you are at compared to where you need to be is to find a hill and try to walk up it. If you live in London, go to Box Hill; if in Bristol, climb one of the Brecon Beacons.
If hills don’t regularly feature in your life, you’ll need to train. Offroad walking is definitely the best way to train – get out for walks on hills, or downs or coastal paths with plenty of up and down. This will also let you try out your kit and wear in your boots. But if you live in a flat place, crosstraining, taking stairs, cycling, running or going to the gym will all help.
Don’t just do nothing and hope for the best – your fitness will affect the whole team, and you won’t enjoy the pujas!
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What kit will I need?
Take a look at the Essential Kit List which you can download here. Welsh mountain weather can be extreme and variable, including in summer. This means the right kit is essential for hill safety – for you and for the whole group.
You will need to come prepared with all the items on the Essential Kit List – we WILL check, and if you don’t have them you won’t be able to participate.
If the expense of kit is an issue for you, get in touch with us – we can probably ask around and loan you most items.
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Food:
Hot food for Friday and Saturday suppers will be provided, and fruit and muesli will be available for breakfast. Please bring any extras you’d like. You’ll bring your own snacks / lunch food for the hill.
Do join us!
