Somebody mentioned Outward Bound in the “my kid’s addicted to WOW” thread, and I thought, hey, wouldn’t that be a fun thing to do? But that’s for teenagers, isn’t it? Well, on their site they do have plenty of stuff for 18+, but we’re 31 and 40 and I don’t really want to be the only older people on a trip. They do have adult courses for 30+, but only one this coming year that I found.
A few years ago I took a course through the Wooden Boat School where I learned to sail a traditionally rigged schooner for six days. It was one of those things where I seriously considered making a run for it when we anchored on islands with ferry service, but afterwards I told everybody I knew that they should go do it.
So can anybody suggest that kind of wilderness course (you know, hiking or canoeing or easy mountaineering where there’s an instructor and they teach you how to do it and don’t expect you to already be an outdoorsperson) for adults, like the kind of adults who aren’t in their twenties anymore? On the East Coast, unless it’s so awesome as to make it worth flying to Oregon or wherever.
Check your community college to see if they have a park management course or something similar. They will sometimes have classes that teach backpacking/outdoor survival skills. Places like REI also have classes and weekend outings.
I’m looking for the exact same thing. Last year, I was put forward by my boss to win a leadership award that would have helped me pay for the Outward Bound 30+ February trip. I didn’t win though. I hope to be put forward again this year but I can’t find a trip. I read that OB will update all trips on November 3. I hope they have some for us geezers.
I can name one that’s gender oriented: Becoming an Outdoors Woman. The Iowa DNR puts on a weekend camp session annually, but its offerred in several states throughout the US.
Edit: In retrospect, it is nothing like a “weeklong experience of a lifetime” kind of deal. Its, here’s how you canoe, kayak, pitch a tent, start a campfire, fish, hunt, etc.
Not the same thing at all, but I was looking through the National Geographic Adventures tours and they have a Grand Canyon one that looks like a blast! Not sure exactly what they consider “moderate” to be and if people who don’t hike at all can cut it, though.
ETA - come to think of it, I’d forgotten about that Outdoorswoman thing - they have it at Clemson and I almost went a few years ago. Looking for something to do with my boyfriend, though.
interesting, at the last one I did, there was a guy there, but he was the only guy, and I imagine he felt awkward as hell.
But definitely highlighted the problem that you can’t assume XY chromosomes and the accompaning equipment give someone a natural ability (or interest) in outdoorsy activities.
No more sailing for you? These guys have a good trip coming up.
As for the Grand Canyon, there are lots of options. Do a web search for outfitters doing guided hiking trips. There are a few different campgrounds depending on how far down you want to hike. If you’re really ambitious, the toughest is probably a full rim-to-rim. There are mule-train trips, too. One thing I’ve thought of doing would be a rafting trip. Or you could combine them; raft in as far as Phantom Ranch, and hike out from there.
I don’t know that you need an official course. If you look at one of my more recent posts in that WOW thread, you’ll see a ton of outdoor recreational activities I’ve listed. Run through that list and think about the ones that interest you. Do a little internet search and find yourself a local club. Go to a meeting. Most very likely somebody will be willing to guide you and your SO and show you the ropes and or point you towards “real” instruction if its an activity that requires such. And, you’ll make lots of friends in which to participate in that activity with!. Also, you can probably find a local or regional forum or Yahoo or other email notificiation/discussion groups that will be quite handy to join.
And, to be honest, I get the impression that most outdoor activities (besides X TREME! ones)are being pursued by folks middle aged to retirees (I guess all the whippersnappers are all WOWed up). Seriously, in our local paddling club, the large majority are either close to retirement age or actually retired, with just a handful of 20, 30, and 40 somethings.
I don’t really necessarily want to take up a hobby, I want a big vacation, see. I mean, I could have gone to sailing classes and whatnot, but I wanted to go spend a week in Maine out of my comfort zone.
NOLS will bring you to places you couldn’t otherwise go by yourself if you are untrained and inexperienced, but they won’t take complete newbies so you’ll have to have a basic level of fitness/knowledge. I’m an experience outdoors traveler and I’d think twice about spending a week up in the Brooks Range without some local knowledge and help on the ground.
But with some basic knowledge, a little experience, common sense, and training there are many life changing trips within your reach. I’ve been trekking in Nepal, backcountry skiing in Japan, hut-to-hut hiking in the Alps, backpacking in the Wind River Range, Canyonlands, the Cascades, canoe camped in the Boundary Waters, and traveled for 5 weeks in New Zealand, plus lots of other shorter adventures, all on my own (except parts of the Japan skiing). You can do an amazing amount with a little legwork on your part.
Having said that, if you have no experience there are lots of opportunities for minimally guided trips. The Sierra Club, AMC, REI, and dozens of other organizations offer reasonably priced trips to exotic locals for travelers with a sense of adventure.
A week in Maine? I can help you with that. I just did that earlier this summer. Where do you want to go and what do you want to do? Hiking, biking, kayaking, rafting, skiing, snowshoeing; lots of options.
Okay, thats different. But I’d point out you can cram much more total adventure in those other hundred days than you can those seven continous ones
Oh, two quick and dirty you gotta do it once thingys. Flying in a glider (a glider glider not a hang glider (but those are probably fun too)). And a zip line course somewhere.
Here’s a list of the upcoming AMC Adult Guided offerings for the next few months. There are more available in summer, including a week long hut-to-hut trip along the AT in NH.
If you look at the Adventure Travel options, they will take you further afield (at a higher price) but they are great opportunities. I have friends who lead those trips and they can be great adventures.
Here’s a list of REI trips by State and there are a bunch in New England, NY, and along the East Coast. Most appear to be 3-4 days but the western trips are longer.
You want the experience of a lifetime? Some of the most scenic beaches in the country? Fresh spring water gushing from canyon walls? Hikes through remote canyons over ancient fossil beds? The freedom of not having a 50 pound sack on your back? Take a couple weeks and go rafting through the Grand Canyon. Come on!!! Do it!!!
