Social Workout

Retreats

Catskills Hiking and Rappelling Day Trip

• Who: Outdoor Bound Adventures
• What: A day of advanced hiking and rappelling in the Catskills. Must be in-shape and have hiking experience, but no rappelling experience necessary.
• When: April 3, 2010

New York

Travel

Horseback Riding and Whiskey Tasting in the "Gunks"

Not every "retreat" is yoga in a Mexican palapa near a killer surf break. 50,000 technical rock climbers visit the Shawagunk Ridge just a few hours outside of New York every year to climb. And, turns out, some other people go there to ride horses and drink whiskey...

• Who: Outdoor Bound, an "adventure company" that offers hiking, rafting, snow-shoeing, and other outdoor day and weekend trips in the New York City area. Plus their "lively but well-mannered horses."
• What: A two-hour horseback ride through the fields and woods around Shawangunk Ridge, followed by horse grooming, picnicking, and a visit to a whiskey distillery. 
• Where: Meet at 73rd and Broadway, transportation upstate provided from there.
• When: December 12, 7:45 A.M. - 5:30 P.M.
• Why: This tripped is billed "Singles Gunks Horseback Riding and Whiskey Tasting." We believe "singles" means the trip is for people without current sexual partners. So maybe you'll meet someone. Happy Holidays! But if "singles gunks" is some sort of rock-climbing term, that'll be an entertaining surprise as well. Riding horses is one of the world's great pleasures, and a surprisingly good workout. Hit the whiskey once safely out of the saddle.
  
• How Much: $139. Transportation and three whiskey samples included.
• Link: Singles Gunks Horeseback Riding and Whiskey Tasting
• Related: Yoga Retreats, Travel

Travel

New York Day Tripping with Wild Earth Adventures

• Who: Wild Earth Adventures and Charles Cook, local hiking guru. Cook has led roughly one wild hiking adventure a week for the last 30 years all over New York State. He's also written a bunch of hiking books, like Awakening to Nature: Renewing Your Life by Connecting with the Natural World. 
• What: Guided day-long hikes within striking distance of New York City, almost every Saturday and Sunday, throughout the year.
• Where: More than 100 different itineraries. Upcoming trips include Pine Meadow Lake in Harriman State Park, and Butler Sanctuary in Westchester County.
• When: Any given weekend, but December's options look appealing. Exit the frenzy of holiday shopping, and spend a day inhaling the scent of real live evergreens. Depart NYC between before 8:00 A.M.  Return between 4:00 and 9:00 P.M., depending on the trip. 
• Why: With Wild Adventures you're likely to hike trails you wouldn't otherwise. Scratch that. You're likely simply to hike! When else are you going to get your act together to rent a car, find maps, etc. etc. Wild Adventures takes care of all that, and the groups are limited to 20 (though they're usually smaller), so you still get the quiet of nature. Plus, you'll likely meet interesting, outdoorsy people. Finally, Charlie Cook is an original.
• How Much: Between $60 and $110, depending on your transportation needs and whether or not you're a member of the Wild Earth Adventures Hiking Club (membership rates on special through November 30: $95 for individuals, $145 for couples)
• Link: Wild Earth Adventures

New York