Adventure Question....

[Coach Potter]

Is there anyone out there over 40 who has always wanted to do some sort of “outdoor adventure” but hasn’t?

In this context, I’m defining adventure as something that is done outside in a big wild place (wilderness or roadless), longer in duration (5+days), physically demanding (something that would require training to prepare for), involves fishing or hunting, and lastly gives you a bit of the butterflies when you envision it. The kind of feeling that is a combination of excitement with a touch of doubt or fear.

I made fishing or hunting part of the equation because we all fish, many of us hunt, and those added elements change the dynamic of a wilderness adventure…they become the focal point of why you would do something of this nature. It makes the adventure different than say a through hike or big bike ride.

The follow up question…

If you want to but haven't, what do you believe are your barriers to entry? Is it time, lack of knowledge, a belief it’s too late, physical limitations etc.? Your reasons can be anything, just tells us what has kept you from doing something like this if it’s something you’ve wanted to do. If adventure doesn’t interest you then this is irrelevant.

 

[Coach Potter]

Yes, but that doesn’t mean the mind and heart desires another it just more complicated now. Well unless you have unlimited funds. But I don’t think anyone on this board is on a major top 500 CEO payroll roster. But if you had those funds you wouldn’t lent be roughing it either.

Does or doesn't desire another?

 

[SurfnFish]

Is there anyone out there over 40 who has always wanted to do some sort of “outdoor adventure” but hasn’t?

In this context, I’m defining adventure as something that is done outside in a big wild place (wilderness or roadless), longer in duration (5+days), physically demanding (something that would require training to prepare for), involves fishing or hunting, and lastly gives you a bit of the butterflies when you envision it. The kind of feeling that is a combination of excitement with a touch of doubt or fear.

I made fishing or hunting part of the equation because we all fish, many of us hunt, and those added elements change the dynamic of a wilderness adventure…they become the focal point of why you would do something of this nature. It makes the adventure different than say a through hike or big bike ride.

The follow up question…

If you want to but haven't, what do you believe are your barriers to entry? Is it time, lack of knowledge, a belief it’s too late, physical limitations etc.? Your reasons can be anything, just tells us what has kept you from doing something like this if it’s something you’ve wanted to do. If adventure doesn’t interest you then this is irrelevant.

it'snever too late if the spirit is willing. With the kids pretty much raised made my first trip to G-Land, a hella challenging surf spot both to surf and to get to on the Island of Java, at the age of 44. Followed that up during successive years with surf trips to Fiji, Tahiti and West Australia. Often returned home battered and bruised with a big friggin smile.
Get yourself in the best shape you can, plan well, and get your rear end out the front door...

 

[Jacob Watrous]

I’ve checked off all the adventures I could think of when I was younger, and though I’ve added to the list over the years, I keep checking them off—all except one.

I want to fish and float the Klickitat from the headwaters to the Columbia, but I haven’t been able to crack the logistics of the shuttle. Other floats I’ve done I’ve used one-way U-Haul rentals, but this one I wouldn’t be able to. So I’m stuck until I can find someone who’s interested and willing to spend an entire day on either side of the trip on the shuttle.

 

[Jerry Daschofsky]

Of course I have. Though I did the majority of such adventures younger.
Now limitation is knee issues from past adventures

Ditto. Did all mine before 30. Unfortunately my responsibilities as a full custody single dad limited me doing any more.

 

[Jerry Daschofsky]

Is there anyone out there over 40 who has always wanted to do some sort of “outdoor adventure” but hasn’t?

In this context, I’m defining adventure as something that is done outside in a big wild place (wilderness or roadless), longer in duration (5+days), physically demanding (something that would require training to prepare for), involves fishing or hunting, and lastly gives you a bit of the butterflies when you envision it. The kind of feeling that is a combination of excitement with a touch of doubt or fear.

I made fishing or hunting part of the equation because we all fish, many of us hunt, and those added elements change the dynamic of a wilderness adventure…they become the focal point of why you would do something of this nature. It makes the adventure different than say a through hike or big bike ride.

The follow up question…

If you want to but haven't, what do you believe are your barriers to entry? Is it time, lack of knowledge, a belief it’s too late, physical limitations etc.? Your reasons can be anything, just tells us what has kept you from doing something like this if it’s something you’ve wanted to do. If adventure doesn’t interest you then this is irrelevant.

As i mentioned in another response, I've done a good majority of mine before I turned 30. At 30 a mix of injuries and divorce curtailed my big adventures.

Trying to get some things changed and do a few new ones, more relive some old ones.

 

[Coach Potter]

@ Gary Knowles

The question was are there any 40+ dudes who have always wanted to do an "adventure" kind of trip but haven't. So far everyone who has responded HAS scratched that itch to some extent.

My original question stemmed from thinking about my own experience over the last few years that I've been doing these trips. I was a guy who had always wanted to do a backpack hunt specifically. It started when I was 10 and I asked for everything I would need to survive in the wilderness for Christmas. Shockingly, as this NEVER happened, I got most of what I wanted and a pretty decent kit form what I can remember form 1985 .

Anyway, life happened and I didn't do a wilderness backpack hunt until I was 48. I had several friends who'd been engaged in the activity for years and I could have jumped in with them at anytime, but I was busy doing other stuff. My first trip in 2023 had an affect on my life that I didn't see coming. I expected to have fun and enjoy the experience. I didn't expect it to change my life in as many positive ways as it did...as corny as that sounds, that's what happened.

It's a strange time in life to be doing the hardest things I've ever physically done but the timing is good from a life perspective. My kids are grown and out of the house, I have more free time, and I live in part of the country that has a TON of wilderness fairly close by.

I have been thinking about a project to link and help other "older dudes" who are like myself and didn't do these things when they were in their prime but would like to give it a go while there is still a little gas in the tank.

 

[Porter2]

Does. But I wont. Because I’ve done some stuff and know the body won’t deal with it anymore. Shoulders are semi-toast… at one time I walked across rivers with no issues and now I cautiously walk across moving waters like
A weeble wobble and I will fall down.


.

 

[krusty]

I did a shitload of backpacking and mountaineering in my 20's and 30's. Bike touring in AK and Canada in my 40's.

Work took command for much of the past 20 years, but I worked hard to stay in shape, and at 73 am still capable of many activities I enjoyed much younger...albeit at a slower pace. Despite years of training...marathons and the like, I've no knee or other health issues.

I do not however have the same appetite for risk...the candle burns short, and many of my fellow adventurers are now taking the big dirt nap due to a few adventures that proved fatal.

The old canard of 'at least he died doing what he loved' has lost its appeal, and now more clearly represents nothing more than a stupid way to lose one's life...the only life you will ever have.

I've learned that my adventures are best enjoyed solo, and in a more measured fashion. Pantshittingly scary situations are less entertaining than they once were.

Adventure related physical and mental stress brings out the worst in many people, and the capable partner herd thins rapidly with age.

Adventure regrets? A few that that could more easily expressed by the old Russian proverb...
"Eat when you're hungry, and make love when you're young".

 

[Yard Sale]

I’ve checked off all the adventures I could think of when I was younger, and though I’ve added to the list over the years, I keep checking them off—all except one.

I want to fish and float the Klickitat from the headwaters to the Columbia, but I haven’t been able to crack the logistics of the shuttle. Other floats I’ve done I’ve used one-way U-Haul rentals, but this one I wouldn’t be able to. So I’m stuck until I can find someone who’s interested and willing to spend an entire day on either side of the trip on the shuttle.

Define head waters to columbia.

Lots and lots of ways to spend 5-8 easy days on a river in rafts. Off season its not too hard to have big rivers all to yourself too. True, rafts are expensive, but after that the trips are pretty cheap.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

@ Gary Knowles

The question was are there any 40+ dudes who have always wanted to do an "adventure" kind of trip but haven't. So far everyone who has responded HAS scratched that itch to some extent.

My original question stemmed from thinking about my own experience over the last few years that I've been doing these trips. I was a guy who had always wanted to do a backpack hunt specifically. It started when I was 10 and I asked for everything I would need to survive in the wilderness for Christmas. Shockingly, as this NEVER happened, I got most of what I wanted and a pretty decent kit form what I can remember form 1985 .

Anyway, life happened and I didn't do a wilderness backpack hunt until I was 48. I had several friends who'd been engaged in the activity for years and I could have jumped in with them at anytime, but I was busy doing other stuff. My first trip in 2023 had an affect on my life that I didn't see coming. I expected to have fun and enjoy the experience. I didn't expect it to change my life in as many positive ways as it did...as corny as that sounds, that's what happened.

It's a strange time in life to be doing the hardest things I've ever physically done but the timing is good from a life perspective. My kids are grown and out of the house, I have more free time, and I live in part of the country that has a TON of wilderness fairly close by.

I have been thinking about a project to link and help other "older dudes" who are like myself and didn't do these things when they were in their prime but would like to give it a go while there is still a little gas in the tank.

I think for me a lot of it has been a complete disengagement from social media engagement (US average 2:24/day), a lack of interest in television (3:49/day), and getting up between 3 and 4 am every day regardless of work/weekend (US average 7:20 AM, gaining me 4:00/day).

If the statistics are valid, this theoretically gives me an extra 10+ hours per day on a weekday, and on a weekend I can have taken a 4 hour roadtrip before my peers are even awake.

I think a lot of it all comes down to what we do with our time and whether we spend it actively or passively.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

Define head waters to columbia.

Lots and lots of ways to spend 5-8 easy days on a river in rafts. Off season its not too hard to have big rivers all to yourself too. True, rafts are expensive, but after that the trips are pretty cheap.

As far upriver as I can reasonably get my canoe. Somewhere on the Spokane reservation would be great, Ive’s Peak would be spectacular, and ending up at The Dalles. I may need to portage around some things, but that’s part of the fun. Did the Yellowstone River a few years back, and the Rogue from Boundary Springs to Pelican Bay (I think. It’s been 20 years and I can’t remember where it spits out).

It’s really just the lack of shuttle logistics that’s stopping me. If you’re up for it, let’s do it this or next summer!

 

[Coach Potter]

I did a shitload of backpacking and mountaineering in my 20's and 30's. Bike touring in AK and Canada in my 40's.

Work took command for much of the past 20 years, but I worked hard to stay in shape, and at 73 am still capable of many activities I enjoyed much younger...albeit at a slower pace. Despite years of training...marathons and the like, I've no knee or other health issues.

I do not however have the same appetite for risk...the candle burns short, and many of my fellow adventurers are now taking the big dirt nap due to a few adventures that proved fatal.

The old canard of 'at least he died doing what he loved' has lost its appeal, and now more clearly represents nothing more than a stupid way to lose one's life...the only life you will ever have.

I've learned that my adventures are best enjoyed solo, and in a more measured fashion. Pantshittingly scary situations are less entertaining than they once were.

Adventure related physical and mental stress brings out the worst in many people, and the capable partner herd thins rapidly with age.

Adventure regrets? A few that that could more easily expressed by the old Russian proverb...
"Eat when you're hungry, and make love when you're young".

I’m ok being sore, cold, tired and wet. Being physically exhausted isn’t a detractor for me if I’m in a place I want to be doing something I love doing. I suffer pretty well but I’m be no means a thrill seeker. I don’t enjoy being scared shitless and I'm not a big risk taker.

 

[Coach Potter]

I think for me a lot of it has been a complete disengagement from social media engagement (US average 2:24/day), a lack of interest in television (3:49/day), and getting up between 3 and 4 am every day regardless of work/weekend (US average 7:20 AM, gaining me 4:00/day).

If the statistics are valid, this theoretically gives me an extra 10+ hours per day on a weekday, and on a weekend I can have taken a 4 hour roadtrip before my peers are even awake.

I think a lot of it all comes down to what we do with our time and whether we spend it actively or passively.

J- I’m late to everything. I had zero exposure to any kind of social media until my boys started the recruiting process in HS…I think I was 45. All college recruiting is done on Twitter so I had to figure it out. Haven’t tapped that button since the last one committed.

I like your approach to a day!

The first morning after my first night in the Frank Church I crawled out of my shelter and looked out over this massive drainage we had landed in. I was in awe and couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to arrive there. The idea that I could walk for 100’s of uninterrupted miles blew my mind in a way that surprised me because I was pretty certain I knew how it would look and feel.

 

[Jacob Watrous]

J- I’m late to everything. I had zero exposure to any kind of social media until my boys started the recruiting process in HS…I think I was 45. All college recruiting is done on Twitter so I had to figure it out. Haven’t tapped that button since the last one committed.

I like your approach to a day!

The first morning after my first night in the Frank Church I crawled out of my shelter and looked out over this massive drainage we had landed in. I was in awe and couldn’t believe it had taken me so long to arrive there. The idea that I could walk for 100’s of uninterrupted miles blew my mind in a way that surprised me because I was pretty certain I knew how it would look and feel.

I know that feeling—or at least a similar one. Hiking off-trail across the Olympic Mountains as a teen I felt that often. Similarly I have felt it in various deserts and mountain valleys on a variety of continents—all liminal spaces largely free of humanity. Places you feel time ceases to exist and at night you could fall upward into the stars forever. For me, at least, it’s addicting.

@Coach Potter , we gotta go fishing, hiking, or hang out sometime.

 

[Coach Potter]

I know that feeling—or at least a similar one. Hiking off-trail across the Olympic Mountains as a teen I felt that often. Similarly I have felt it in various deserts and mountain valleys on a variety of continents—all liminal spaces largely free of humanity. Places you feel time ceases to exist and at night you could fall upward into the stars forever. For me, at least, it’s addicting.

@Coach Potter , we gotta go fishing, hiking, or hang out sometime.

Addicting is right…I can’t get enough! It’s one of those things that can’t be explained…only felt.

 

[krusty]

I’m ok being sore, cold, tired and wet. Being physically exhausted isn’t a detractor for me if I’m in a place I want to be doing something I love doing. I suffer pretty well but I’m be no means a thrill seeker. I don’t enjoy being scared shitless and I'm not a big risk taker.

To me (anyway) physical exertion and discomfort is the common currency of potential adventure...actual adventure is where something unexpected happens (despite preparation) that may occur that tests my ability to meet a challenging and very often scary situation.

Am I up to it? At my age that prospect is less enticing than it once was.....

 

[Yard Sale]

As far upriver as I can reasonably get my canoe. Somewhere on the Spokane reservation would be great, Ive’s Peak would be spectacular, and ending up at The Dalles. I may need to portage around some things, but that’s part of the fun. Did the Yellowstone River a few years back, and the Rogue from Boundary Springs to Pelican Bay (I think. It’s been 20 years and I can’t remember where it spits out).

It’s really just the lack of shuttle logistics that’s stopping me. If you’re up for it, let’s do it this or next summer!

I'm a simple knuckle dragging rafter, but I could sort your shuttle and probably do the Hatchery to mile 5 float with you. That way you could travel light and I can travel in style.

Not sure why you would turn upriver on the C though. Better beer and pizza in Hood River!

 

[RCF]

All my adventures were in '60's up to 1982, when I got married. Lots of week long trips in the Olympics, trips to the Enchantments and hiking the PCT from Canadian border to Oregon border ( in chunks)

My adventure list was replaced with the Honey-Do lists.

I feel really fortunate to have been to places and marvel at nature's wonders up close and personal. Once I hiked in 2 miles, never to see civilization of any kind the entire time out. Not that way nowadays unfortunately.

There is no way I can get out again. Due to severe car wreck injuries, and bad life style choices catching up with me, etc.

At least I have my wonderful memories.

I encourage anyone to get out there now. It is not going to get any better than now. Do it while you can before life's curve balls happen... This does not mean you can't do it in the future.

Main adventure I still want to do: Bob Marshall. Wilderness.

 

[Peyton00]

Of course I have. Though I did the majority of such adventures younger.
Now limitation is knee issues from past adventures

Same here. I didn't care how far into the woods I intended to travel to reach my destinations. Never worried much about anything, did almost all trips solo.
Now the adventures are closer than I like, due to bad knees. My wife never did care if I was gone with zero communication for a week. She isn't the paranoid /worry wart type.
I was lucky in my early 40's to have a friend's son come of age and be an adventure seeker. We did many trips together, it was a nice change to have company. He still disappears for days and I am envious, but my knees just can't handle 2-3 day long hikes into the woods with all the necessary, yet minimal gear.

This is a great thread, thanks Potter.

 

[Coach Potter]

All my adventures were in '60's up to 1982, when I got married. Lots of week long trips in the Olympics, trips to the Enchantments and hiking the PCT from Canadian border to Oregon border ( in chunks)

My adventure list was replaced with the Honey-Do lists.

I feel really fortunate to have been to places and marvel at nature's wonders up close and personal. Once I hiked in 2 miles, never to see civilization of any kind the entire time out. Not that way nowadays unfortunately.

There is no way I can get out again. Due to severe car wreck injuries, and bad life style choices catching up with me, etc.

At least I have my wonderful memories.

I encourage anyone to get out there now. It is not going to get any better than now. Do it while you can before life's curve balls happen... This does not mean you can't do it in the future.

Main adventure I still want to do: Bob Marshall. Wilderness.

I definitely want to get into the Bob someday. I really want to get a pack raft and become proficient enough with it to float some of these places.