While camping and hiking are certainly exciting activities in themselves, sometimes you just want to try something a little bit different. If you’re looking for a new approach to the outdoors, then luckily there are a lot of unique activities and programs going on throughout the country. Those who have the adventurous spirit that’s meant for something out of the ordinary should check out these awesome backcountry experiences that you probably never heard of.
1. The Husky Backcountry Flight Experience
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Hiking through the backcountry is one thing, but what about flying through it? If you’re a pilot or considering getting your flying license, then The Husky Flying Experience is for you. From June 20th-24th, pilots can come to Wyoming to explore the wilderness from the view of their Aviat plane. You’ll take a tour of the Aviat factory, then spend your time flying over the gorgeous landscapes below.
After landing on a few difficult air strips, you will take the last flight to Sulfur Creek Ranch. Here, you will get to participate in even more backcountry activities, including fishing and hiking. You’ll get to hang out at a lodge in the middle of the wilderness, meet other flying and backcountry enthusiasts, and explore a part of the country that not many people get to see.
2. Wilderness Therapy
While you might be sitting here thinking, “I don’t need therapy,” people might tell you that therapy can benefit everyone in some way. Whether you think you need therapy or not, one experience you may not have heard of is an initiative known as wilderness therapy, which has actually been a thing for quite some time now. Andrew Erkis, Ph.D was quoted in American Psychological Association’s “Therapy Gone Wild” article, saying that “it’s empowering to realize that you can survive in the wilderness.” Among other reasons, healing in this way is definitely unique, yet very effective.
Many organizations have been offering Wilderness Therapy since the 70’s, but it’s more commonplace now than ever before. If you or someone you care about wants to take a new approach to getting help, then this can be the way to do it. Group sizes are kept small, and professionals help target a wide array of mental health and emotional issues.
3. Backcountry Cooking School
For those who want to be a culinary artist but not in a Michelin star restaurant, then perhaps a backcountry cooking course is right for you. Though anybody can be an outdoor chef, some have an interest in truly perfecting this art. Whether you want to impress your fellow camp goers or learn a few new skills for yourself, backcountry cooking schools are an incredible way to learn.
Swan Mountain Wilderness Guide School is just one of the many cooking schools out there, where you can learn camp and backcountry cooking by professionals. The program takes place near Glacier National Park, where you’ll have more than enough inspiration for your kitchen. You’ll learn the skills required to not only cook delicious meals in the backcountry, but to also be prepared with survival cooking skills for anything unpredictable that might come your way.
4. Butt Naked Hiking
Okay, so maybe you have heard of this one, but usually when people change into their “birthday suit” in the backcountry, they do so anonymously. Nude hiking isn’t only something people do deep in the wilderness so they can’t get caught. It’s something that has become more common, so much so that there are forums and websites providing information for people who want to enjoy the great outdoors all nat-u-ral.
If you’re interested in getting involved in something like this, then your first step might be to do a Google search on the best places to hike naked in the U.S. One is the Deep Creek Hot Springs in Southern California, which actually has various nude hiking groups that go there, since clothing is optional. There’s also Mohonk Preserve in New York, and other wilderness areas of the Northeast such as The Ledges in Vermont.
Of course, the U.S. isn’t quite as open about this as in Europe where nude hiking started. However, there are people that feel that there’s nothing wrong with being with nature the way it’s intended. Head to hikingnaked.com, which helps people like you find support in this kind of endeavor. Seriously, there’s a whole community of nude hikers out there that want you to join!
These are just a few backcountry experiences that you may not have heard of, but we want to hear about others. Please share your secrets of enjoying the outdoors with us, below!
