To Go Finding the Right Outfitter Day-trippers test their limits in the Saxetenbach river in August 1997. At least 19 people were killed and six seriously injured in the same gorge on July 27,1999. Tuesday's Swiss canyoning tragedy notwithstanding, more and more Americans are indulging their passion for adventure.
Adventure travel is one of the biggest, baddest, boomingest slices of the ever-swelling travel pie.
Half of all Americans have taken adventure travel vacations in the last five years. And while established outfitters have an interest in protecting their business, most would encourage you to dig beneath what you see on a glitzy Web site. Don't be surprised, on the other hand, if a large adventure travel company asks you about your workout regimen, your camping experience, or your taste for regional food. Most companies won't ask stuff like this to embarrass you. You lose, the other people in your group lose, and the company loses.