Mountain Quest 2018

****NEW THIS YEAR: WE WILL BE OFFERING TO-SHI (3RD DEGREE) TESTING ON THE MOUNTAIN! THERE ARE ONLY 5 TESTING SLOTS AVAILABLE. PLEASE COMPLETE THE EVALUATION APPLICATION NO LATER THAN MAY 12TH.****  TO SHI EVALUATION APPLICATION: HTTPS://GOO.GL/FORMS/UE4BZ9NBGSB1JZ1Z1 [https://goo.gl/forms/ue4bZ9nbgsB1jZ1z1]  Join us for this amazing tradition and the most authentic training experience outside of Japan! We gather on a training ground on the same latitudinal line as the original Ninja training grounds of Mount Togakure in Japan, it’s the closest to the lineage of ninja you can get without flying overseas. Experience true ninja training on real mountain terrain. Spend the evenings with good friends, old and new, around the campfire and sleep under the stars. The seminar will begin Friday morning with an all day Yamabushi Mountain Warrior experience.  After the Yamabushi Meditation, training will begin with a Friday evening training session. Saturday will be a full day of training followed by evening black belt demonstrations and evaluations. Sunday will conclude with a powerful immersion in the Dragon's Mouth, the fear banishing waterfall hidden on the edge of the mountain. We will feature break out sessions throughout the weekend from some of To-Shin Do's most accomplished practitioners.   SCHEDULE:  THE YAMABUSHI EXPERIENCE WILL BEGIN AT 11AM ON FRIDAY.  IF YOU PURCHASED A TICKET FOR WEEKEND TRAINING ONLY, YOU MAY ARRIVE ANYTIME AFTER 4PM ON FRIDAY.  WE AIM TO CONCLUDE THE SEMINAR AT 4PM ON SUNDAY. THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEE, THE MOUNTAIN IS OUR GUIDE. HOWEVER, WE ARE AWARE THAT PEOPLE HAVE LONG DRIVES AND WE MAKE EVERY ATTEMPT TO BE SENSITIVE TO OUR LONG DISTANCE STUDENTS.  *We will release the official schedule of events in May IMPORTANT: The Yamabushi training will be an intensive hiking and meditative experience. This experience is limited to participants ages 15+ and Youth Black Belts.  NOTE: For participants in the Yamabushi experience, you are welcome to arrive Thursday evening to set up camp OR Friday morning. For Weekend Training ONLY registrants, please arrive AFTER 4pm on Friday to set up camp, the gates will not reopen until 4pm on Friday. The location of our camp and training ground is private property about 20 minutes outside of Blowing Rock. Registrants will receive an email with detailed directions to the property the week before the seminar.  IMPORTANT: TSHIRTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE. THEY MAY BE PURCHASED AS AN ADD-ON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REGISTRATION. THERE WILL BE A VERY LIMITED NUMBER OF TSHIRTS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON THE MOUNTAIN SO IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED YOU PRE-ORDER YOUR SHIRT.  IMPORTANT: ALL REGISTRATIONS INCLUDE ONE CATERED DINNER SATURDAY NIGHT. IF YOU HAVE FAMILY OR FRIENDS IN ATTENDANCE WHO WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN TRAINING BUT WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART IN THE DINNER, PLEASE PURCHASE DINNER FOR THEM IN THE CATERING ADD ON AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR REGISTRATION.  ACCOMODATIONS:  Mountain Quest is hosted at a private estate on Grandfather Mountain. We have a camping area, but this is not a campground area equipped with showers. We have water and portable toilets on site. For those who do not wish to camp, the closest hotels are located in Blowing Rock, about a 20 minute drive from the site. **Candidates for Black Belt are STRONGLY encouraged to camp, this is part of your test!**  If you have any QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SEMINAR PLEASE CALL US AT (919) 489-8893 or email us at rmartin@ncquestcenter.com.