Whitewater Rafting and Hiking Ampersand

Hiking is a sport that improves many aspects of health Not only will it improve physical health, but the mental and social health benefits are equally rewarding. Many people classify hiking and kayaking and other sports of this nature as “individual” sports, but I find that it can be as much of a team sport as you want it to be. For me, it is a group sport, and I prefer it when it is just my fiancee and I. I like it as a couples sport I guess. Over the past few years, my lady and I have really got into hiking and have developed a real passion for it. It is a great activity that we can share and reap all of the benefits that go along with it.

Recently, we took a whitewater rafting and hiking trip with three other couples, whom are all either related or really close friends with us. It was quite the bonding experience for all of us as a group and especially for me and my girl.

Imagine three days in the wilderness with only the company of your loved ones and the beauty of nature to enjoy. No real cell phone reception, no traffic, and no worries. It was great! We started off with a group whitewater rafting trip, where we all worked together to maneuver down the Black River through the rapids. “3 forward!” the river guide shouted, instructing us all to paddle 3 strokes forward. The thrusts of power we exerted propelled us down the river heading right for some rapids.
“Who wants to try to surf this one?” He asked. “Yea, let's do it” we all bellowed back. After going through the rapid, we turned ourselves around and paddled with all of our might following the commands given to head straight back into the rapid from behind. Once we finally got into it, it was hold on fall in. All form and technique flew out the window in exchange for grab onto whomever and whatever to keep yourself in the raft.For a minute there, I was actually being held in the raft by the raging water slamming on top of me and pushing me into the bottom of the raft. Before I knew it the raft spun out about 90 degrees and I was out of it, in the rapid itself curled up in a ball waiting to be spit out. I'm not going to lie, I was scared for a second.
I made it out okay, looked at my crew, half of whom were in the water with me, and remember yelling to them all “That was AWESOME!” Once we all made it back in the raft the guide called for a paddle check and we all raised our paddles and shouted “Sharkbait hoo ha ha!” a goofy team chant we made up before the event. What a great time we all had.

The next day we woke up bright and early and got ready for another adventure. We drove to the trailhead of Ampersand Mountain. Here we started as a group, but since we all had different paces it ended up more of a couples hike. My girl and I spent most of the hike talking and enjoying the beauty of the hike, sweating and keeping pretty good pace all the way up to the summit. What a view. We must have spent 20 minutes sitting atop the mountain in silence, sitting next to eachother, just enjoying the company of eachother and the majestic beauty of the Adirondacks.
The outdoors can provide many health benefits and probably more benefits when activities are shared with a partner or group. Take hiking for example. Hiking is great calorie burner, cardiovascular workout, and terrific for building leg muscle. This also provides many opportunities to bond with your partner, with nature, and provides a multitude of opportunities to get in touch with yourself and time for personal reflection. These are all terrific for your mental and social health. There are so many benefits that it is hard to name them all. So next time you are looking for a great exercise and way to spend time with your partner, go for a hike, climb a mountain or go rafting down a river. I guarantee you won't regret it.