Extreme all-american adventure tours

Everyone likes the idea of an adventure. And everyone wants to like the idea of an extreme adventure. But what, precisely, does that mean? There is no single or simple definition. Some

adventures are bound by physical ability or inherent danger. Others are defined by the financial means necessary for such a trip. Others are simply a bucket list of challenging yourself to

get out of your comfort zone. But all extreme adventures are set by individual willingness and determination. If you’re thinking about an “extreme” adventure for a vacation, here are a few

across the United States that might fit the bill. Tourists carefully observe a polar bear from their boat hosted by Akook Arctic Adventures. Steven Kazlowski/Akook Arctic Adventures POLAR

BEARS The world’s largest land carnivore has no fear of you. None. If this sparks a primal human fear, that’s good. It should. Seeing a polar bear in the wild has few equals in the natural

world. To do so, of course, means traveling north, the far north. Polar bears live only in the Arctic and can be found in remote Arctic regions of Canada, Russia, Greenland, Norway and, of

course, in the far northern regions of Alaska. One prime U.S. polar bear spot is Barter Island, off Alaska’s North Slope, near the community of Kaktoviuk (2015 population 262). ​Viewing a

polar bear in the wild is a seasonal pursuit. During the winter, the bears retreat to the polar ice. The area is remote and accessible only by air. Only a few polar bear tour outfitters

operate in this area, including Akook Arctic Adventures. Whitewater rafters crash through Pillow Rock rapid on the Upper Gauley River near Fayetteville, West Virginia. Harrison Shull/Aurora

Photos/Cavan/Alamy WHITEWATER RAFTING Whitewater scours ribbons of the United States from Maine to Oregon, Wyoming to North Carolina and beyond. A run of Class III, IV or V whitewater can

define extreme conditions. One of the country's most scenic and thrilling whitewater runs can be experienced on West Virginia’s New and Gauley Rivers. The New River, which is one of the

oldest rivers on the planet, includes a stretch that is now part of the New River Gorge National Park. The Gauley is a more technical and challenging river with dam-controlled whitewater

runs that peak in September and October. Being an experienced outfitter is a must.