George Hamm - 1/28/09
Life as an Adventure
By George Hamm, Minneapolis, MN OB alum 2007
Helen Keller has been credited with the quote “Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” I completed an Adult Renewal Outward Bound Wilderness course at the Voyaguer School in Ely, Minnesota in September, 2007. One of the reasons I wrote on my application form for taking the course was to “get in touch with my adventurous self and feel more alive.” I wanted to let go of limiting beliefs and feel like I was experiencing life more fully. During the course, I set a goal to achieve a life-long dream of travelling and adventuring in the wilderness of New Zealand, particularly Milford Sound. Thanks to the lessons I learned in my Outward Bound course, I recently achieved this goal by hiking, biking and sea kayaking with my partner around the South Island of New Zealand.
Growing up as one of two fraternal twins, I had come to accept the belief that my younger twin brother was more agile, physically capable and adventurous than I was. He was the athlete; I was known as “the artistic one.” Thanks to Outward Bound and my New Zealand adventure, I have discovered a more adventurous self who is at home in a physically challenging environment and thrives in outdoor adventure.
My adventure began once I booked a “TUI adventure tour” for my partner and I in December, 2007 with a company called Active New Zealand—a year in advance of the trip. This company, as their name suggests, specializes in active outdoor adventures with a “leave no footprint” minimal impact philosophy, and is a Kiwi based company in Queenstown, New Zealand—home to bungy jumping and other adrenalin outdoor activities. With a year before the trip, I committed myself to build on an active daily routine of bike commuting 22 miles, and began a daily schedule of upper body exercise and yoga/stretching. I wanted to experience my southern hemisphere adventure feeling physically in shape and confident in my abilities. Over the year, I felt as though I was breaking through limiting beliefs as well as physical barriers on a weekly basis, and my nearly 50-year-old body was responding. I kept reminding myself of the lessons I learned and the support I received from others during my Outward Bound Wilderness course that we are much more than we believe, and are capable of much more than we think. When the December, 2008 trip date finally arrived, I felt as though I had transformed myself inside and out in many positive ways.
My partner’s and my Active New Zealand adventure included daily hiking, several bike rides and a sea kayaking experience in Milford Sound, one of the world’s most spectacular natural environments. The guides at Active New Zealand took such great care of us, reminiscent of my guides at OB, and supported us to experience nature in all its wonders. I felt totally in my element during my experience and felt confident of meeting any physical challenge, whether it was a strenuous mountain backpacking hike at a remote hut in Siberia Valley, Mount Aspiring National Park, crossing a waist-deep, fast-running mountain stream, mountain biking a gravel trail, paragliding off a mountain side, or paddling a sea kayak for the first time in Milford. I brought along a t-shirt from Outward Bound Wilderness that served as a reminder to me of my learning. I was grateful to share an experience with another tour participant of “hitting a mental wall” and going beyond when I was faced with running some rapids in a canoe during my OB experience. She said my experience helped her to face a fear she had of a ride in a six-passenger bush plane during our trip. The lesson—whether you do it or not, the primary question is, will you regret it if you don’t try?
I had wanted to travel to New Zealand for many years. New Zealand is home to unique plants and animals and thanks to its environmentally-conscious citizens, remains a refuge to unspoiled wilderness. The people and environment exceeded all of my expectations and fulfilled an adventure of a lifetime. I am committed to returning to New Zealand for more fun and to visit other places like Nelson (home of New Zealand’s Outward Bound), Stewart Island, Wellington and the North Island wilderness). I am also committed to living each day more adventurously, continue to let go of limiting beliefs and to create fun in my life. Thanks to Outward Bound Wilderness and Active New Zealand for helping to make a dream of mine come true.
