By Ken Sturtz
Ax Throwing
As odd as it might sound, ax throwing can be a lot of fun. No experience is necessary and once you’ve gotten the safety lecture and basic training you might find you’re a natural. Ax throwing is a great activity for groups and can include standard and digital projection targets. Ax Chuckers (axechuckersllc.com) is the only commercial throwing venue in Oswego County. Their indoor throwing facility is located outside Fulton. They even have UV glow nights (think of a bowling party).
Whitewater Rafting
You don’t have to travel out West to experience the excitement of whitewater rafting. Dam releases in the Adirondacks send water surging into the Black River near Watertown. Narrow canyon walls increase the river’s velocity and combine with boulders and ledges to create exhilarating Class IV rapids. The highest flows, and therefore the most intense whitewater, come early in the season, but rafting is still possible into the fall. Several companies take groups rafting down the river. Plan on getting wet and being on the water for several hours.
Zip Lining & Mountain Coaster
The Outdoor Adventure Center at Greek Peak (greekpeak.net), near Cortland, packs plenty of adrenaline-fueled excitement. Start with the guided zip line tour, which includes four dual zip lines starting with a beginner line 15 feet off the ground. The highest zip line reaches 65 feet, passing over several creeks. The gravity-fed mountain coaster offers an equally nerve rattling experience, albeit closer to the ground. Individual coasters weave through the trees at speeds up to 30 mph. There’s even a handbrake that lets riders control the speed of the 5-10-minute ride. The zip lines and coaster offer beautiful views of the fall foliage.
Snowmobiling
If you didn’t grow up in a rural area you might be new to snowmobiling. In Central New York it’s one of the most popular winter activities. Speeding along snow-covered trails is a great way to enjoy winter and explore places you might never see otherwise. New York has more than 10,000 miles of trails and CNY typically gets buried in powder each year. The New York State Snowmobile Association (nysnowmobiler.com) maintains a list of businesses that rent snowmobiles, but ask around and you might already know someone with a snowmobile who’d be happy to bring you along.
Charter Fishing
Whether it’s Oneida Lake, the Salmon River or Lake Ontario, Oswego County is a fisherman’s paradise. If you’re a novice, it can be a lot of fun to charter a boat with friends for a fishing trip on Lake Ontario. More than 50 credentialed charter captains operate boats from marinas in Oswego, Mexico Point, Port Ontario, Catfish Creek and Sandy Pond. Their boats are well equipped with all the necessary tackle and gear so you can enjoy the trip. Chinook and Coho salmon and brown and rainbow trout are most common on Lake Ontario. You’ll be amazed at the size of some of the fish your charter captain will help you land.
