ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on 'romantic' way that wilderness becomes a liminal zone: a counter hegemonic arena for the experience and practice of recreation, rejuvenation, and spiritual and psychological relief. It explores the liberal use of empirical research and theory on nature-based experiences and practices across a wide variety of outdoor environments. The chapter looks at outdoor recreation and adventure education, reflecting in detail on the meanings of risk and skill. It focuses on the role played by wilderness in facilitating physical, spiritual, and mental wellness. The chapter examines the personal experiences of the wilderness occurring during practices of outdoor recreation, what one might call experiences and practices of 'wilderness recreation'. Confronting wilderness challenges and mastering related skills is an experience that is often transferred to other domains of life, thus facilitating multiple forms of personal empowerment. The chapter focuses on therapy and spirituality and self-discovery. It examines whether hunting and fishing are ecologically sensitive practices.
