to our world. - NOLS

THE LEADER IN WILDERNESS EDUCATION | 2011

Where in the world could a NOLS course take you? In addition to our classic 13 bases around the globe, we've added NOLS Northeast to our offerings this year, and the fall of 

2011 will likely mark NOLS' return to Africa. 

Front cover: Student Lydia Ode backpacks through the iconic tussock grasses of 

New Zealand's South Island. Big Hill Range; Photo by Fredrik Norrsell 

Back cover: Students traverse a ridge toward their lofty goal: Mt. Baker's summit. 

North Cascades, Washington; Photo by Madhu Chikkaraju 

© Copyright NOLS, August 2010 • Printed in Portland, Oregon, on 

Forest Stewardship Council certified recycled paper with soy-based 

ink. For more about our environmental commitment, see page 110. 

Produced by NOLS in Lander, Wyoming. 

A special thanks to all the NOLS instructors and students who captured their NOLS 

adventures on camera for this year’s catalog! If you’d like to submit your course photos, 

email publications@nols.edu to find out how.

WELCOME 

TO OUR WORLD. 

Welcome from the Director ......................... 3 

The Leader in Wilderness Education .................. 4 

Core Curriculum and Leadership Model ............... 6 

Alumni Stories ................................... 9 

Faculty and Support Staff ......................... 14 

College Credit .................................. 16 

Financial Aid ................................... 17 

Course Finder: Your Place at NOLS ................. 18 

Courses by Operating Area 

NOLS Rocky Mountain ....................... 20 

NOLS Teton Valley .......................... 34 

NOLS Pacific Northwest ...................... 40 

NOLS Southwest ............................ 46 

NOLS Northeast ............................ 54 

NOLS Alaska ............................... 56 

NOLS Yukon ............................... 64 

NOLS TANZANIA/AFRICA •• NOLS TANZANIA 

NOLS Mexico .............................. 68 

NOLS Patagonia ............................ 72 

NOLS Amazon .............................. 78 

NOLS India ................................ 82 

NOLS Australia ............................. 86 

NOLS New Zealand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 

NOLS Scandinavia ........................... 94 

Custom Courses by NOLS Professional Training ....... 96 

Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS ............. 100 

Become a NOLS Instructor ....................... 104 

Course Dates and Tuitions ........................ 105 

Environmental Commitment .......................110 

Alumni Benefits and Networks .....................112 

Risk Management at NOLS ....................... 113 

Application and Admission Policies ................. 114 

NOLS Course Application ........................ 115 

1

This page: Abe Goodale, Photos opposite: Brad Christensen

WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR 

“ 

COME TO NOLS TO 

LEARN THROUGH 

EXPERIENTIAL 

EDUCATION HOW 

TO BE A REAL 

LEADER IN THIS 

WORLD. 

” 

In a world consumed by technology and modernization it has become easy and commonplace 

to forget about our natural surroundings. Convenience and comfort have become the norm, 

and our connection to nature has suffered. At NOLS, students get excited about leaving those 

amenities behind and experiencing our planet by learning in a hands-on setting. 

Instead of taking a passive role in your life, come to NOLS to learn through experiential 

education how to be a real leader in this world. We'll show you the value of being 

an active participant rather than a static observer. For over 45 years NOLS has been leading 

trips into the wilderness, and students have continually returned home with the tools 

needed to succeed in their lives to come. 

By summiting tall mountains or descending exhilarating whitewater, by climbing steep 

crags or exploring deep caves, NOLS will provide the support you’ll need to find success. 

Throughout your course you will be challenged as well as taught to turn those challenges into 

opportunities. You will become a leader in your own life and connected to the natural world 

around you. Your strengths will become noticeable and you’ll harness the ability to confront 

your weaknesses. No matter your skill level or experience, NOLS has a course for you. 

What we do here at NOLS is take the path less traveled; we choose to explore and 

embark on adventures that change lives. So grab your pack and join us this year for an 

educational trip that you’ll talk about for the rest of your life! 

John Gans 

NOLS Executive Director 

NOLS Board of Trustees | Tori Murden McClure, Chair • F. Fox Benton III, Vice Chair • Jane F. Fried, Secretary • Kei Yamamoto, 

Treasurer • Joseph P. Allen • Douglas E. Dalquist • AJ Grant • Jay Jacobs • Jonathan Kleisner • William C. Murdock • Robert W. Nimmo 

• Herbert G. Ogden, M.D., Medical Advisor • Michelle Sarti • Edward M. Schmults • Diana McCargo • Kate Gunness Williams • Amy E. 

Wyss • Joan K. Chitiea, Trustee Emeritus • Homer L. Luther, Chairman Emeritus • Gene R. Tremblay, Chairman Emeritus 

The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is a private, nonprofi t, educational corporation. NOLS is an organization described in 

section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and all contributions to NOLS are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 

Facing Page: The learning process doesn't stop with the setting sun as students dig into their wilderness library in the darkness of their tents. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

3

WHAT MAKES NOLS THE LEADER IN WILDERNESS EDUCATION? 

Roo Riley 

Abe Goodale 

Jamie O'Donnell 

Left: Grow with your coursemates to become confident and successful leaders. Hyland River, Yukon. Center: Figuring it out. That peak is right....here. Wind River Range, Wyoming. 

Right: Experiential education means hands-on, relevant lessons. North Cascades, Washington. Facing page: With NOLS, the vast ocean wilderness could be your next 

classroom. Baja California, Mexico 

Experience. More than 45 years of it, in 

fact. Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer 

Paul Petzoldt, NOLS takes people of all 

ages on real wilderness expeditions, teaching 

outdoor skills, leadership, and environmental 

ethics in some of the world’s wildest and 

most awe-inspiring classrooms. With courses 

ranging from ten days to a full academic year, 

students learn the skills necessary to be competent, 

responsible wilderness travelers and 

leaders long after their course is over. 

NOLS DEVELOPS LEADERS. We attract highly motivated students who want to learn 

how to lead. And that’s just what happens—our graduates find success whether at school, 

at play, or at work. 

NOLS IS THE SKILLS SCHOOL. Our hands-on, learn-by-doing approach means that our 

graduates get the skills they need to be competent, responsible wilderness travelers long 

after their course is over. 

NOLS EXPLORES REMOTE WILDERNESS ON EXTENDED EXPEDITIONS AND SHAPES 

WILDERNESS ETHICS. What NOLS teaches cannot be learned in a classroom or on a city 

street. It takes practice to learn outdoor skills and time to develop leadership. The wilderness 

provides the ideal setting for this unique education. 

NOLS TEACHES REAL LIFE LESSONS THROUGH EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION. More 

than 95% of NOLS students say they’ll use what they learned at NOLS in other aspects 

of life. In fact, NOLS graduates value their education so much that 97% of them recommend 

NOLS to a friend. 

AT NOLS, YOU’LL GET THE SUPPORT OF THE BEST FACULTY AND SUPPORT STAFF 

IN WILDERNESS EDUCATION. NOLS instructors get their start at other outdoor programs 

and then, after a competitive selection process and training by NOLS, they are 

ready to instruct for us. 

NOLS’ COLLEGE CREDIT AND FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS ARE UNPARALLELED IN 

WILDERNESS EDUCATION. More than $1 million in scholarship aid is available every 

year for eligible NOLS students. In addition, more than 75% of NOLS students who are 

of college age take a NOLS course for college credit. Students have successfully transferred 

credits to over 400 colleges around the country. 

NOLS EMBRACES DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION. NOLS is committed to ensuring an 

environment in which inclusion is a fundamental value. We welcome students from a wide 

variety of backgrounds regardless of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion 

or belief systems, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, 

prior outdoor experience, or economic standing. 

4 

www.nols.edu • (800) 710-NOLS • admissions@nols.edu

Abe Goodale 

5

NOWHERE BUT NOLS. NO BETTER TIME THAN NOW. 

Abe Goodale 

The core curriculum at NOLS is made up 

of four integral parts: leadership, outdoor 

skills, environmental studies, and risk management. 

Every course at NOLS uses these elements 

as a foundation, and the lessons learned 

within this framework in the backcountry are 

lessons that will be transferred to your everyday 

life—at home, at work, and at play. Whether it's 

a long, stormy hiking day or a long, stormy 

recession, you’ll have the tools to endure, to 

overcome, and to succeed. 

WHAT WE TEACH: 

LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK 

The 4-7-1 Leadership Model 

• Four leadership roles 

• Seven leadership skills 

• Your signature leadership style 

OUTDOOR SKILLS 

• Equipment care and selection 

• Ration planning 

• Preparing nutritious meals using a camp stove 

and fire 

• Staying warm and dry 

• Route-finding, navigation, map reading, and 

compass use 

• Campsite selection 

• Sanitation and waste disposal 

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES 

• Leave No Trace camping and resource protection 

• Natural history: animal and plant identification, 

astronomy, weather, and geology 

• Regional environmental issues 

• Function and organization of land management 

agencies 

• Sustainability of ecological, social, and economic 

systems 

• Wilderness ethics and practices for everyday life 

RISK MANAGEMENT 

• Health and comfort maintenance 

• Wilderness injury prevention and treatment 

• Judgment and decision-making 

• Identification and mitigation of subjective and 

objective risks 

• Emergency procedures 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: 

"NOLS was critical to the development of my..." 

ABILITY TO SERVE IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE 

ABILITY TO FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES 

ABILITY TO WORK AS A TEAM MEMBER 

ABILITY TO PLAN AND ORGANIZE 

ABILITY TO GET ALONG WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE 

ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY 

OUTDOOR SKILLS 

COOKING SKILLS 

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE ON HOW LIFE CAN BE SIMPLER 

DESIRE TO BE IN THE OUTDOORS 

APPRECIATION OF NATURE 

ABILITY TO MAKE INFORMED AND THOUGHTFUL DECISIONS 

ABILITY TO MANAGE CONFLICTS WITH OTHERS 

0 VERY FALSE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 VERY TRUE 10 

Average survey responses from graduates of NOLS wilderness, adventure, and semester courses. 

Adapted from: Sibthorp, J., Paisley, K., Furman, N., & Gookin, J. 2008. Long-term impacts attributed to participation 

in wilderness education: Preliminary findings from NOLS. Research in Outdoor Education, 9, 86-102. See the full 

study at www.outdooredcoalition.org/research08.htm. 

6 


Ignacio Grez 

Above: Each member of every expedition is utilizing parts of the 4-7-1 leadership model no matter what end of the rope they're on. Powell Glacier, Alaska. Facing page: Learn 

how to care for our environment, yourself, and those around you while exploring nature's beauty. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

“LEADERSHIP IS SITUATIONALLY APPROPRIATE ACTION THAT DIRECTS OR GUIDES 

YOUR GROUP TO SET AND ACHIEVE GOALS. OTHER PROGRAMS TALK ABOUT 

” 

LEADERSHIP—AT NOLS, YOU’LL DO IT! 

John Kanengieter, NOLS Director for Leadership 

4 Leadership Roles 

Designated Leadership 

Self Leadership 

Peer Leadership 

Active Followership 

7 Leadership Skills 

Expedition Behavior 

Competence 

Communication 

Judgment & Decision-Making 

Tolerance for Adversity & Uncertainty 

Vision & Action 

Self-Awareness 

1 Signature Style 

On every successful expedition, each member of the team fills a variety of leadership roles 

in order to achieve the group's ultimate goals. There are four types of leadership at NOLS, and 

all are equally important. 

The seven leadership skills are a holistic skill set that needs to be applied situationally and 

in combination with each other and the four leadership roles. A NOLS graduate should be able 

to incorporate these skills into their everyday behavior in both the backcountry and at home. 

Signature style is the leadership style that works best for you as an individual. This style is 

based on your multiple intelligences, learning preferences, social intelligence, conflict management 

styles, and other personal strengths and preferences. While taking on the four different leadership 

roles and honing the seven basic leadership skills, your signature leadership style will have a 

chance to shine. Come discover your style with NOLS. 

7

Fredrik Norrsell

NOLS 

Stephen Shames 

DEVELOPS 

LEADERS. 

Facing page: NOLS' leadership curriculum will give 

you the tools and confidence to become a leader in your 

own life as well as the lives of others. Hurunui River, New 

Zealand. Above: NOLS grad Jabali Sawicki credits his 

NOLS education to his success as principal of the Excellence 

Boys Charter School (left) in Brooklyn, New York. 

Albert Vecerka 

A CONVERSATION WITH JABALI SAWICKI 

Principal, Excellence Boys Charter School; Alaska Backpacking ’93 

Jabali Sawicki is the founding principal of Excellence Boys Charter School in 

Brooklyn, New York, an all-boys K-8 charter school with a student body that is 

99 percent African American. As a graduate of a 1993 NOLS Alaska Backpacking 

course, Jabali does everything possible to expose his boys to the outdoors. He also 

believes that NOLS introduced him to the leadership skills that have made Excellence 

Boys one of the highest performing schools in New York. Here he reflects on 

his NOLS experience and how it has led him to where he is today: 

How do you apply these leadership lessons 

in your everyday life? “Being a principal is 

a pretty demanding job, and working at 

an urban school with the expectations of 

being high performing means we move 

at a pretty frantic pace. I feel like I am 

able to calmly and peacefully deal with 

anything that comes my way. After having 

carried a heavy pack up a mountain, 

I’m able to face the smaller things that 

might have made me anxious with confidence 

and presence of mind. There is no 

work more urgent than what we’re doing 

at Excellence Boys. Working with an allboys 

population is challenging, but being 

aware of my own strengths and weaknesses 

as a leader has helped me to better 

serve our scholars and our families.” 

What was the most important leadership 

lesson you gained from NOLS? “I think of 

leadership in the context of being a part 

of something bigger than myself. My 

NOLS experience helped me understand 

what it meant to be part of a team; it 

taught me that group efforts and mission 

are often bigger than my own personal 

efforts and mission. Excellence Boys 

Charter School is only able to function 

as a school because we connect our work 

as school leaders and teachers to the 

work and beliefs of families, the larger 

community, and national education reform. 

That perspective is something that 

my NOLS course fundamentally altered 

in a very positive and profound way. I 

learned from my NOLS instructors to be 

present, aware, and calm. In those moments 

of calmness we learn to identify 

how we can impact change and how we 

can identify solutions.” 

How did you first hear about NOLS? 

“I heard about NOLS through Summer 

Search, a program that connects inner 

city students of color with leadership 

opportunities while they are in high 

school. I was 16-years-old when I took 

my NOLS course. Initially I was more 

interested in doing some community 

service projects in a warm tropical environment, 

but when I was encouraged to 

do something that would challenge me 

and push me beyond my limits, I went 

with NOLS.” 

Hear more from Jabali on leadership, 

education, and NOLS at NOLS.TV. 

9

NOLS IS THE SKILLS SCHOOL. 

Be prepared to use your NOLS skills for the rest of your life. Below: NOLS grad Shane Young dropped what he 

was doing and went to Haiti to provide aid after the 2010 earthquake. 

Photos courtesy of Shane Young 

A CONVERSATION WITH SHANE YOUNG 

Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician, wilderness firefighter, and humanitarian; WEMT '09 

An Eagle Scout and captain of his high school track and field team, Shane Young 

has always been a leader. After graduating from Georgetown University in 2008, 

Shane spent a year camping and backpacking, culminating with a Wilderness Emergency 

Medical Technician (WEMT) course with the Wilderness Medicine Institute of 

NOLS in 2009. As fate would have it, he was newly trained when a devastating earthquake 

struck weeks later in Haiti. Shane credits NOLS for instilling in him the skills 

and confidence to drop everything to go to Haiti and “be useful.” After this experience, 

he now feels even more prepared for his next adventure as a wilderness firefighter. 

What was most memorable about your 

WEMT course? “The most memorable 

part was the mass casualty rescue scenario, 

a plane crash, especially because of the 

real-life makeup and the fact that some of 

the ‘patients,’ who were fellow students, 

were amazing actors, making us truly believe 

they were injured.” 

What technical skills did you transfer to 

your volunteer work in Haiti? “Even arriving 

three weeks after the quake, I applied 

nearly all of my WEMT skills. I took the 

lead in establishing a safe and clean location 

outside a damaged hospital building 

where we could treat patients; set up all 

the supplies and equipment such as medications, 

bandages and gloves; triaged patients 

as they arrived on site; instructed 

them on keeping hydrated in the hot environment; 

dealt with major wound care; 

and had considerable leeway to diagnose 

and treat due to my WEMT skills.” 

If there was a single experience in Haiti that 

left you feeling truly rewarded, what would 

that be? “When I arrived in Haiti, I found 

an amazing sandwich vendor and started 

buying lunch from him. On day one, the 

money in my pocket bought me one sixinch 

sandwich. On day 30, after I had 

administered to the medical needs of the 

vendor and several of his family members, 

I was able to buy a 15-inch sandwich and 

three sodas for the same price. Plus, I am 

now the vendor’s newborn child’s godfather. 

My NOLS training was the bridge 

to this new friendship.” 

Would you recommend NOLS to others, and 

why? “Of course! At NOLS, you find 

yourself learning alongside others with 

similar interests in the outdoors, and in 

my case, classmates who were interested 

in knowing how to rescue someone in the 

backcountry. But above all, the teachers— 

who included people who had worked at 

high altitude camps on Denali and Everest—had 

firsthand knowledge and experience 

and were truly inspiring. I can’t 

imagine anyone better to learn from.” 

10 


Photo courtesy of Ellie Johnston 

Learn what it takes to care for our wild places and develop a strong wilderness ethic with NOLS. Above: Grad Ellie Johnston in her element. Huascarán National Park, Peru 

NOLS EXPLORES REMOTE BACKCOUNTRY ON EXTENDED 

EXPEDITIONS AND SHAPES WILDERNESS ETHICS. 

A CONVERSATION WITH ELLIE JOHNSTON 

University of North Carolina-Asheville, biology major; Semester in the Pacific Northwest '05 

It has been six years since Ellie Johnston’s NOLS course and she continues to demonstrate 

and implement the leadership training and wilderness ethics she learned in 

the backcountry. Committed to fighting climate change, she has been an active leader 

on campus as a part of the UNC Asheville Student Government Association, as well as 

with organizations such as Active Students for a Healthy Environment and the Southern 

Energy Network. In 2010, Ellie attended the UN Climate Change Conference in 

Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of the SustainUS youth delegation. 

How did your NOLS course lead to your 

participation in wilderness advocacy? 

“The impacts from my NOLS course 

are intertwined into all aspects of my 

life today. I did my NOLS course during 

a critical part of my life, right after 

high school graduation, which for me 

was a time when the lessons of self-awareness 

were very new. I think without my 

NOLS experience I wouldn’t have taken 

the amount of initiative that I have in the 

past few years in working around climate 

issues at the campus, community, state, 

regional, and international levels.” 

How did living and learning in the wilderness 

inspire you? “The experience of being 

in the wilderness for many continuous days 

always renews my appreciation of the vast 

interconnections that people have with the 

natural world. This awareness has been essential 

to my motivation in working to ensure 

our needs as a species do not continue 

to outstrip the world’s natural limits.” 

What wilderness concepts did you take 

away from NOLS? “The Leave No Trace 

principles taught at NOLS helped me 

to draw the relationship between my actions 

and their effects in a way that was 

more concrete than any lessons previously 

taught to me within four walls. For me, 

the wilderness setting provides both inspiration 

and reflection for whenever I return 

to our built environments.” 

Would you recommend NOLS to others, 

and why? “Since my course, I’ve always 

been quick to recommend NOLS to others. 

With the average person increasingly 

spending the vast majority of their lives 

indoors, it is invaluable to have opportunities 

like NOLS for people to get outside 

and learn about the world that we depend 

on. Without first knowing the world 

around us, how can we know when it is 

irrevocably lost?” 

11

Photo courtesy of Erica Perez 

NOLS TEACHES 

REAL LIFE 

LESSONS THROUGH 

EXPERIENTIAL 

EDUCATION. 

A NOLS education is an education that sticks. NOLS grad Erica Perez went from her NOLS courses in Alaska (above 

and facing page) to the U.S. Naval Academy (left) with confidence and capability. 

Tracy Baynes/STEP 

A CONVERSATION WITH ERICA PEREZ 

Midshipman, U.S. Naval Academy; STEP Expedition '07 & '08 

Raised in Los Angeles, Erica Perez didn’t realize until she paddled for three weeks 

along the pristine Alaskan coastline with NOLS that she was passionate about 

the outdoors, and more importantly, that she was destined to be a leader. She learned 

valuable technical skills at NOLS, but she says the most important lessons she learned 

were those she gained from dealing with real situations that had real consequences. 

Since her first NOLS course, Erica has repeatedly embraced those lessons, has continually 

challenged herself, and is now in her second year at the U.S. Naval Academy. 

What was it like to learn in the field versus 

in the traditional classroom? “I never 

struggled in the classroom, but being in 

the field really tested me. To learn leadership 

you need to be placed out of your element 

and in an challenging situation and 

overcome that situation, which is what my 

NOLS course was all about. 

What were some of the lessons you took 

away from your course? “The course was 

a blast, but also challenging. My growth 

as a person was much greater than any of 

the technical skills I learned. I grew up 

in Los Angeles, surrounded by buildings, 

and never left the city. Being in the Alaskan 

wilderness, not having a cell phone 

on me, getting through arguments with 

my group—being able to overcome all of 

that made me realize I could overcome 

anything. My self-esteem, self-confidence, 

and courage grew as a result of NOLS.” 

How have you used your NOLS experience at 

the Naval Academy? “Our Plebe Summer 

exercises were very similar to NOLS lessons. 

In the mornings we would engage 

in drills that were purposefully designed 

so that you couldn’t get through them on 

your own. It is required that you bond 

with people around you and work together 

as a team. That was a big flashback for 

me. A lot of the things they were telling 

me, like ‘you can’t get through this place 

alone’ were the same things my NOLS 

instructors told me.” 

Did your NOLS experience have any part in 

your decision to attend the Naval Academy? 

“Absolutely. The whole ‘getting out of your 

element’ experience of NOLS gave me the 

courage to take on a challenge like the Naval 

Academy. When I was accepted, I knew 

I would be challenged physically and academically. 

I am going to face certain dilemmas 

where I have to learn to do the right 

thing, and do it honorably. I have never had 

anyone in my family do military fieldwork, 

but I wanted to do something big, which 

came from my NOLS experience.” 

NOLS partners with the Student Expedition 

Program (STEP) to provide skills and leadership 

training to underprivileged, collegebound 

youth (www.stepexpedition.org). 

12 



13

t 

B 

R 

e s 

e m 

t 

o 

t 

I n 

e 

s 

t 

W i l d e r n e 

r u 

l d e 

c t o r s 

r n 

NOLS Instructor Training: 

NOLS Environmental 

Stewardship and Sustainability: 

NOLS doesn’t just explore the 

backcountry, we have a department of 

dedicated staff working to protect it. 

e s s 

s s C 

You’ll learn more because NOLS demands 

more experience and training from its 

instructors than any other outdoor program. 

l a s 

s r o o m 

s 

THE WILDERNESS MEDICINE 

INSTITUTE OF NOLS 

IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST 

PROVIDER OF WILDERNESS 

MEDICINE TRAINING. 

Logi st ics 

P h i l 

a n t h 

r r i c u l u m 

v e n C u 

r o 

Prep ar at i on 

n t h r o 

i c u l 

r o p i c 

p i c 

P 

Equ i pm e nt 

S u p p o 

r t 

NOLS Curriculum and Research: 

You’ll achieve because NOLS constantly 

fine-tunes its educational program based 

on research and 45 years of experience. 

L e a d i n g R i s k M a n a g e m 

Fo od Ro ut e s 

a g e m 

e n t 

NOLS Risk Management: 

You’ll be a responsible wilderness traveler, 

learning from the leaders of the Wilderness Risk 

Managers Committee and the conveners of the 

Wilderness Risk Management Conference. 

14,000 

graduates 

each year 

X P 

E R 

I E 

E 

N C 

NOLS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING PROVIDES 

CUSTOM LEADERSHIP TRAINING 

FOR BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS, AND ORGANIZATIONS. 

NOLS Alumni and Development: 

Through strong relationships with 

our alumni, we further our mission 

and support scholarships, research, 

and capital improvements for our 

nonprofit school. 

S 

T U 

D E 

N T 

95% of our graduates transfer 

their NOLS education to other 

aspects of their life 

E 

97% of our graduates 

recommend NOLS 

to a friend 

Tr a ns fe re n ce 

THE MISSION of the National Outdoor 

Leadership School is to be the leading source 

and teacher of wilderness skills and leadership 

that serve people and the environment. 

NOLS: STUDENT CENTERED, VALUES DRIVEN 

STUDENT TO INSTRUCTOR RATIO 5:1 

CONTOUR INTERVAL 30 DAYS 

NOLS BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

OUR VALUES 

WILDERNESS EDUCATION 

LEADERSHIP SAFETY COMMUNITY 

EXCELLENCE 

ORIGINAL DATA 1965 

AJ-JK-BP SERIES EDITION REVISED 2010 

NOLS GIVES YOU THE BEST FACULTY AND 

SUPPORT STAFF IN WILDERNESS EDUCATION. 

Fredrik Norrsell 


Providing food, gear, and logistics, NOLS in-town staff 

will help you depart for your course and support the 

success of your backcountry adventure. NOLS Alaska 

BEST STAFF, BEST RESULTS NOLS’ strength is its staff of nearly 800 individuals 

worldwide, every one of them dedicated to delivering high quality wilderness education. 

They are driven by the school’s mission and inspired by our graduates who are active, positive 

leaders with environmental ethics and outdoor skills. 

THE BEST SUPPORT NOLS support staff take care of all those little details that make 

your NOLS experience a great adventure: great gear properly fit; good, nutritious food and 

plenty of it; awe-inspiring backcountry; cutting-edge curriculum; and industry-leading 

risk management. This attention to detail means that NOLS consistently delivers the 

most fun and educational wilderness adventures available anywhere. 

THE BEST INSTRUCTORS NOLS is without peer when it comes to selecting and training 

our instructional staff. NOLS instructors get their start at other outdoor programs. 

After gaining experience and a competitive selection process, they are ready for NOLS 

instructor training and an apprenticeship. Only then are they able to teach for NOLS 

and even that is just the beginning. NOLS instructors can participate in more than 60 

instructor seminars to further hone their skills and, with help from the NOLS Instructor 

Development Fund, they embark on ambitious expeditions worldwide. Their training and 

experience means that you’ll learn skills, develop leadership, and have the time of your life! 

14 


NOLS AND WMI FIELD STAFF ARE A DIVERSE BUNCH OF OVER 500 INSTRUCTORS! 

HERE ARE A FEW YOU MIGHT RUN INTO: 

Madhu Chikkaraju by Tony Jewell, Margo van den Berg by Nick Cross, Sam Talucci by Rich Brame, all other photos courtesy of staff member profiled. 

TYSON LEHMANN 

NOLS Instructor since 2008 

WMI Instructor since 2004 

A native Australian absconded to Canada, Tyson 

has worked NOLS field courses in locations ranging 

from the Gila to the Himalayas. He spent years 

working in the global outdoor industry before 

NOLS, and when not instructing, he works as a 

flight medic. 

MADHU CHIKKARAJU 


Madhu has over 100 weeks of NOLS field experience 

as a hiking, climbing, and mountaineering 

instructor in locations worldwide. Known for his 

creativity, this native of Bangalore, India, teaches 

students how to pack for the field using Bollywood 

dancing skills. 

CLAIR PARRISH 


Clair was a second-grade teacher and lacrosse 

coach in Virginia for eight years before she moved 

to Wyoming and became a full-time NOLS instructor. 

She now has over 100 weeks in the field, 

is mentoring others on NOLS Instructor Courses, 

and enjoys bringing her bag of costumes on student 

courses just to keep things interesting. 

CLAUDIO VEGA 


Claudio began his career with NOLS by volunteering 

in the NOLS Patagonia issue room. Four years 

later, he has taught whitewater paddling in Utah 

and Idaho, canoeing in Brazil, and sea kayaking in 

Patagonia. A native Chilean, Claudio travels and 

paddles as much as he is able, holds a degree in 

hotel management, and is carnivorous in his diet. 

LENA CONLAN 


WMI Instructor since 1999 

Lena considered herself a climber 25 years ago, 

but NOLS Mexico needed sea kayaking instructors 

so she seized the opportunity. When NOLS 

began operating in Scandinavia in 2008, Lena 

helped the sea kayaking program off to a successful 

start. 

EMILY LEDINGHAM 


Emily worked in town at NOLS Yukon and NOLS 

Mexico before becoming an instructor. She has 

since worked hiking, mountaineering, canoeing, 

and winter ski courses. When she is not in the 

field, Emily works for a nonprofit in Vancouver 

that provides outreach to at-risk women. 

SAM TALUCCI 


A grad from 1977 and an instructor for 18 years, 

Sam is a staple at NOLS. His most memorable 

moments vary from seeing a mountain lion in the 

middle of the day to watching a sunrise with students 

to listening to his own children’s stories of 

their NOLS adventures. 

LIZA HOWARD 

NOLS and WMI Instructor since 2003 

A nurse, a mom, and an ultramarathon runner, 

this ever-humble Texas native was in the spotlight 

last year when she came in second at the Rocky 

Raccoon 100-mile race. The word is she took six 

hours less this year because she didn’t have to 

stop every 20 miles to nurse her baby. So Liza is 

also a supermom, to boot. 

BRAD SWANDER 


After spending time in the Navy and with the 

National Park Service, Brad came to NOLS to 

teach hiking courses in Alaska and the Southwest. 

An electrical engineer and electrician by 

trade, Brad takes special pleasure in being the 

“fix-it” guy for NOLS Alaska and special projects 

coordinator for NOLS Southwest when he’s not in 

the field. 

MARGO VAN DEN BERG 


Margo was born and raised in the Netherlands, 

went to college in Ireland, and finished graduate 

school in New York. She has devoted herself to 

what makes her happy: a simpler outdoor lifestyle, 

rock climbing, and tango. 

For more staff bios, visit 

www.nols.edu/about/profiles 

15

COLLEGE CREDIT 

Betsy Winston 

Every NOLS course is approved for college 

credit and more than 75% of our collegeage 

students take advantage of this option. 

For nearly 30 years NOLS has offered credit 

through the University of Utah, one of the 

nation’s premier research universities. Furthermore, 

400 colleges and universities nationwide 

have accepted NOLS/University of Utah 

credit, and many others grant their own credit 

for NOLS courses. We also offer two associate 

degrees in partnership with Central Wyoming 

College and have many direct credit and articulation 

agreements with other colleges and 

universities around the globe. 

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE CREDIT 

• Concepts in Biology: Natural History of Regional Ecosystems 

• Natural Resources Learning: Environmental Ethics 

• Natural Resources Learning: Leadership Techniques 

• Natural Resources Learning: Skills Practicum 

• Risk Assessment, Management, and Decision-Making 

• Wilderness First Responder 

• Expedition Behavior 

• Outdoor Education 

These courses are offered through the University’s departments of Biology; Health Education; 

and Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. Details are available from the NOLS Admission 

office. This optional college credit is $65 per credit hour. 

ASSOCIATE DEGREE PROGRAMS NOLS and Central Wyoming College (CWC) in Riverton, 

Wyoming, have partnered to offer two degree programs: 

• Associate of Science in Environmental Science and Leadership: During the NOLS portion 

of this degree program, you’ll develop environmental awareness and conservation 

ethics. At CWC you’ll complement this with a classic natural science education. 

• Associate of Arts in Outdoor Education and Leadership: Designed for students interested in 

careers in outdoor education or environmental education and activism, this degree program 

combines one or more NOLS courses with education and liberal arts courses at CWC. 

DIRECT CREDIT These colleges offer their own credit and process financial aid for a 

NOLS education: 

Brock University, St. Catherine's, Ontario, Canada • Central Wyoming College, Riverton, WY • College of the 

Atlantic, Bar Harbor, ME • Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI • Green Mountain College, Poultney, VT • 

Northland College, Ashland, WI • Ohio State University, Columbus, OH • Penn State University, University 

Park, PA • Radford University, Radford, VA • Sterling College, Craftsbury Common, VT • SUNY College of 

Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY • SUNY Cortland, Cortland, NY • SUNY Plattsburgh, 

Plattsburgh, NY • Texas A&M University, College Station, TX • University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD • 

University of Montana-Western, Dillon, MT • University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, 

Canada • University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY • Western State College, Gunnison, CO 

ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS The following colleges allow the easy transfer of 

University of Utah credit and process financial aid for a NOLS education: 

Contact the NOLS Admission office or 

visit www.nols.edu/courses/credit 

for more college credit information. 

Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, AK • Algonquin College, Pembroke, Ontario, Canada • Aurora University, 

Aurora, IL • Clemson University, Clemson, SC • Collège Mérici, Québec City, Québec, Canada • 

Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY • Houghton College, Houghton, NY • Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY • Kyushu 

Lutheran College, Kyushu, Japan • Northwest College, Powell, WY • Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smiths, NY • 

Quest University Canada, Garibaldi Highlands, BC, Canada • Unity College, Unity, ME • University of Maine, 

Presque Isle, ME • Utah State University, Logan, UT 

16 



Above: Affording a NOLS course have you tied in knots? We know knots and financial aid; just give us a call. Uspallante River, Patagonia. Facing Page: NOLS college credit 

will keep you on track for your educational summit. Cordon Contreras, Patagonia 

FINANCIAL AID 

A NOLS course is a great value; most of them 

cost just $150 per day. The reality, though, is 

many students must seek assistance to achieve 

their educational goals. That’s why we offer a 

number of different financial aid resources for 

our students and their families. Don’t let our 

price tags turn you away without first asking 

about these opportunities. 

NOLS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: More than $1 million in scholarship dollars is available 

at NOLS every year. Scholarship aid is available to students who are enrolled on a NOLS 

course, show great potential to excel, and would be unable to attend without financial assistance. 

Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis. 

CONSORTIUM AGREEMENTS: Students at a college that accepts credit earned for a NOLS 

semester may be able to use their federal financial aid through a consortium agreement 

between NOLS and the college. 

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID AND AMERICORPS: Central Wyoming College (CWC) 

processes federal financial aid and AmeriCorps stipends for NOLS students. 

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION BENEFITS: Many NOLS courses are eligible for VA 

Benefits. VA refund policies apply. 

Contact the NOLS Admission office or visit 

www.nols.edu/courses/financialaid 

for more information and applications. 

17

COURSE FINDER: YOUR PLACE AT NOLS 

WIND RIVER WILDERNESS 

WYOMING BACKPACKING ADVENTURE 

ABSAROKA BACKPACKING 

ADIRONDACK BACKPACKING ADVENTURE 

IDAHO BACKPACKING ADVENTURE 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BACKPACKING 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE 

ALASKA BACKPACKING 

YUKON BACKPACKING 

HIMALAYA BACKPACKING 

AUSTRALIA BACKPACKING 

SCANDINAVIA BACKPACKING 

SCANDINAVIA SEA KAYAKING 

SCANDINAVIA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING 

ALASKA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING 

AUSTRALIA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING 

NEW ZEALAND BACKPACKING 

SOUTHEAST ALASKA SEA KAYAKING 

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND SEA KAYAKING 

BAJA SEA KAYAKING 

BAJA COASTAL SAILING 

AMAZON BASIN RIVER EXPEDITION 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING 

SOUTHWEST LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING 

SALMON BACKPACKING AND RAFTING 

SALMON BACKPACKING AND RAFTING ADVENTURE 

BROOKS RANGE BACKPACKING 

BROOKS RANGE BACKPACKING AND RIVER 

ALASKA BACKPACKING AND PACKRAFTING 

YUKON BACKPACKING AND WILDERNESS CANOEING 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST SEA KAYAKING AND SAILING 

NOLS/ORVIS WILDERNESS FLY-FISHING 

PATAGONIA BACKPACKING AND FLY-FISHING 

WILDERNESS HORSEPACKING 

WIND RIVER MOUNTAINEERING 

WADDINGTON RANGE MOUNTAINEERING 

NORTH CASCADES MOUNTAINEERING 

ALASKA MOUNTAINEERING 

DENALI MOUNTAINEERING 

HIMALAYA MOUNTAINEERING 

PATAGONIA MOUNTAINEERING 

ROCK CLIMBING 

ROCK AND RIVER 

LEARN TO LEAD 

MASTER SKILLS 

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Canyon 

Caving 

Rock Climbing • • • • • • • 

Fly-Fishing • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 

Horespacking 

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Sea Kayaking • • • • • • • • 

Sailing • • 

Skiing 

Snowboarding 

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WHITEWATER RIVER EXPEDITION 

BACKCOUNTRY SNOWBOARDING 

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTDOOR EDUCATOR 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST OUTDOOR EDUCATOR 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRIP LEADER 

SOUTHWEST OUTDOOR EDUCATOR 

ALASKA OUTDOOR EDUCATOR 

YUKON OUTDOOR EDUCATOR 

WINTER OUTDOOR EDUCATOR 

SEMESTER IN THE ROCKIES 

SEMESTER FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATORS 

SEMESTER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST 

SEMESTER IN THE SOUTHWEST 

SEMESTER ON THE BORDERS 

SEMESTER IN ALASKA 

SEMESTER IN THE YUKON 

SEMESTER IN BAJA 

SEMESTER IN PATAGONIA 

SEMESTER IN THE AMAZON 

SEMESTER IN INDIA 

SEMESTER IN AUSTRALIA 

SEMESTER IN NEW ZEALAND 

YEAR IN PATAGONIA 

YEAR IN THE SONORAN 

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER 

WANT MORE? 

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REFINE YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, 

TAKE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME OR PREPARE 

FOR A CAREER IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION. 

WE HAVE A COURSE FOR YOU! 

LEARN TO LEAD 

Leadership is what sets NOLS apart from the rest. All NOLS 

courses will teach you the skills to lead others long after you’ve 

graduated, but these courses give students the greatest chance to 

put their leadership skills to work with numerous student leaderof-the-day 

and independent student travel opportunities. 

MASTER SKILLS 

Since 1965 people have come to NOLS to learn the skills they need 

to climb mountains, run rivers, and ski deep backcountry powder. 

Our extended expedition format means you’ll have time to truly 

master the skills you learn. NOLS is the premier skills school and 

these courses give you what you need to be a competent, responsible 

wilderness enthusiast. 

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER 

Get outdoors and get paid for it. These courses are designed for 

classroom teachers who want to expand the traditional classroom, 

outdoors people who want to develop their teaching skills, and 

students from college outdoor education programs. 

WANT MORE? 

Three to five months of outdoor living, college credit, and much 

more. The outdoor semester and the outdoor year are uniquely 

NOLS. Spending several months as a part of an expedition means 

you’ll be both a leader and an active follower, practicing communication, 

conflict resolution, and decision-making. You will return 

home changed. Most students on NOLS semesters or years come 

on hiatus from their college campus or as a gap year between high 

school and college. Adult learners are also taking a longer NOLS 

experience as a time-out between careers. 

Having trouble deciding? We have NOLS grads standing by to 

answer your questions. Call 1-800-710-NOLS or log on to www.nols.edu 

to chat with our admissions officers and student service representatives. 

Can’t find a course that matches your needs? 

Contact NOLS Professional Training about custom 

courses for your group or organization. See page 97 

for details or call 1-800-710-NOLS, ext. 3. 

Planning your own outing or training for a field 

job? Be prepared for backcountry emergencies with the 

leader in wilderness medicine education, the Wilderness 

Medicine Institute of NOLS. See page 101 for details or 

call, you guessed it, 1-800-710-NOLS, ext. 4. 

COURSE FINDER 

19

ROCKY MOUNTAIN 

Jamie O’Donnell 

20 


The first NOLS courses ventured into the wilderness here over 45 years ago. Generations of students have been exploring 

the stunning glacier-carved granite cirques of the famous Wind River Mountains, the sprawling meadows and deep 

rivers of the Absarokas, and the hidden red canyons of Utah’s slickrock country with NOLS Rocky Mountain. The 

heart of our operation is in Lander, Wyoming, the small town that NOLS founder Paul Petzoldt handpicked in 1965 as 

the base of operations for his innovative outdoor school. We also operate the Three Peaks Ranch in Boulder, Wyoming. 

Set on the western edge of the Wind Rivers, this working ranch is where we run our horsepacking courses and re-supply 

other courses on horseback. Our river base in Vernal, Utah, specializes in whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. 

With a wide range of course offerings and exquisite landscapes, being here—backpacking, climbing, skiing, scrambling, 

exploring, and paddling—is what NOLS is all about. 


Josh Beckner 

Become a leader as you and your coursemates learn to live in and navigate through Wyoming’s wilderness. Cathedral Cirque, Wyoming 

WIND RIVER WILDERNESS 

This is the original NOLS course and the most popular expedition 

we offer. For 30 days, you’ll explore the Wind River Mountains, a 

wilderness range renowned for its pristine lakes and rugged mountain 

beauty. After carrying a pack efficiently loaded with everything 

you need to the top of your first high mountain pass, you’ll 

descend into a glacial valley and help lead your hiking group to 

camp. You and your peers will take turns baking pizzas over a 

camp stove and catching cutthroat trout for dinner. At night, a 

star-filled sky will shroud your tent as you rest for the next stimulating 

day of exploration and learning. In addition to hiking as 

many as 120 miles on and off trail, you’ll fly-fish, learn how to use 

a GPS, summit towering granite mountains, and may have an opportunity 

to rock climb. The leadership skills you master here will 

serve you well in the wilderness and beyond. 

Above: Step outside the typical classroom and learn in a beautiful setting that makes 

going to class an adventure. Temple Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 

Facing page: Explore the pristine beauty of Wyoming’s mountains. Coon Lake, Wind 

River Range, Wyoming 

Matt Sime 

DETAILS 

Features world-famous Orvis fly-fishing curriculum and gear. 

Age and Length: 16 & Over • Average age: 19 • Duration: 30 days 

16 & 17 Only • Duration: 30 days 

23 & Over • Average age: 35 • Duration: 14 days 

Tuition: $4,035 (16 & Over); $4,400 (16 & 17 Only); $3,310 (23 & Over) 

Optional College Credit: 2 hours each Environmental Ethics, Leadership Techniques, 

Skills Practicum (16 & Over; 16 & 17 Only); 2 hours Skills Practicum (23 & Over) 

Dates: page 105 

21

“ ” 

NOLS WAS A GREAT TRANSITION TO COLLEGE. EVERYTHING NOLS TEACHES YOU 

IS PERFECT FOR FRESHMAN YEAR. AFTER YOU DO NOLS, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. 

Eliza Kern, Student at University of North Carolina, Wind River Wilderness ’08 

See more of Eliza at www.nols.tv 

Abe Goodale 

Ryan Hutchins-Cabibi 

Big wilderness instills a deep appreciation for how important your actions really are. 

Younts Peak, Absaroka Range, Wyoming 

Cut your pack weight and explore miles of pristine Wyoming wilderness on a NOLS 

Lightweight Backpacking course. Fremont Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 

ABSAROKA BACKPACKING 

Yellowstone National Park’s wild eastern neighbor is Wyoming’s 

Absaroka (Ab-sor-ka) Range, a vast wilderness region with some of 

the most remote territory in the Lower 48. You will travel through 

broad river valleys surrounded by sheer glacier-carved cliffs, camp 

under towering conifers, and hike across alpine plateaus where the 

tallest plants are only a few inches high. You will hone your flyfishing 

cast, ford high mountain rivers, practice GPS and compass 

navigation, and learn how to camp and travel in bear country. 

Along with grizzlies, other fauna you are likely to see include eagles, 

bighorn sheep, elk, moose, black bears, coyote, and recently reintroduced 

gray wolves. For students craving remote, rugged land 

filled with wildlife, this is your course. In the Absarokas, you will 

live the leadership lessons you need to travel skillfully and safely in 

the mountains long after your course ends. 

DETAILS 



Tuition: $3,945 

Optional College Credit: 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Leadership Techniques, 

2 hours Skills Practicum 


ROCKY MOUNTAIN LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING 

Let us help you lighten your load. The first lightweight backpacking 

course in the world of outdoor education is in its sixth year 

at NOLS. Partnering with GoLite to provide cutting-edge equipment, 

we will help you shave ounces for this lightweight backcountry 

adventure. Outfitted with 25- to 30-pound packs (10–15 

pounds without food and fuel), you and your coursemates will 

be off to one of Wyoming’s most remote and wild ranges—such 

as the Wind Rivers, the Big Horns, the Absarokas, or the Beartooths—to 

enjoy the wilderness as you never thought imaginable, 

without the burden of a heavy load. Plan to learn innovative lightweight 

techniques like cooking one-pot meals and staying warm 

and dry with minimal gear while honing traditional backpacking 

skills like navigation and Leave No Trace. After two weeks, you’ll 

have the knowledge and skills to plan and execute your own lightweight 

adventures. How light can you go? 

DETAILS 



Optional College Credit: 2 hours Skills Practicum 


22 



Abe Goodale 

Environmental education comes to life when you’re smack in the middle of it. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

Students plan the day’s route in Wyoming’s Wind River Mountains. Dinwoody Cirque 

Rainbow Weinstock 

WYOMING BACKPACKING ADVENTURE 

FOR 14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS 

A Wyoming Backpacking Adventure is a true wilderness expedition 

designed for young people. For the entire 30 days of the 

course, your mode of travel will be your own two feet. You will 

be with students your own age, and your instructors are skilled 

educators who value teaching young adults. Gain independence 

and take responsibility for yourself and your companions. When 

you get back home, you will have the skills to enjoy outdoor activities 

on your own and the leadership qualities to help you advance 

in the classroom, on the playing fields, or anywhere you want to 

succeed. Having fun, learning about the outdoors, rock climbing, 

fly-fishing, exploring beautiful places, and achieving goals you 

never thought possible—your summer adventure with NOLS is 

about to begin! 

DETAILS 


Age and Length: 14 & 15 Only • Duration: 30 days 



23

“I I SEE LEADERSHIP AS TWO THINGS: SEEING WHERE YOU WANT TO GO AND GUIDING 

YOURSELF TOWARD IT. I THINK NOLS, BEYOND THE PRACTICAL THINGS WE LEARNED WHILE 

WE WERE THERE, TAUGHT ME THAT I HAD THE ABILITY TO DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. ”E. 

Tom Scott, Founder of Nantucket Nectars and Plum TV, Semester in the Rockies ’98 

See more of Tom at www.nols.tv 


Kevin Emery 

Learn from the best: Instructor Madhu Chikkaraju demonstrates bouldering skills. 

Deep Lake, Wind River Range, Wyoming 

Excited by his catch, instructor Kevin Emery decides between catch-and-release or 

dinner. Snake River, Idaho 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: 

BACKPACKING WITH ROCK CLIMBING OR WFR 

NOLS specializes in teaching teachers. In fact, we have been inspiring 

and teaching outdoor educators for 45 years. On this 

course, whether you’re an aspiring or current outdoor leader, you’ll 

learn the latest skills and techniques from some of the best-trained 

outdoor educators in the world in order to support you in your 

outdoor profession. This course offers either a 23-day backpacking 

expedition that includes four days of rock climbing at a base 

camp or a 30-day backpacking expedition that includes a Wilderness 

First Responder (WFR) certification. Both formats are packed 

with how-tos on living, traveling, and leading groups in the backcountry. 

Granite peaks that reach 13,000 feet, rugged terrain, and 

high mountain lakes and rivers will teach you what it takes to lead 

and educate others in the West’s rugged ranges and beyond. 

DETAILS 

Features world-famous Orvis fl y-fi shing curriculum and gear. 

Age and Length: 18 & Over • Average age: 27 • Duration: 23 days (with rock climbing) 

or 30 days (with WFR; no rock climbing) 

Eligibility: Qualifi ed practicing or potential outdoor educators 

Tuition: $3,385 (23 days); $4,870 (30 days) 

Optional College Credit: 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 2 hours Risk Management (23 days); 

2 hours Outdoor Educator, 2 hours Risk Management, 3 hours WFR (30 days) 


NOLS/ORVIS TM WILDERNESS FLY-FISHING 

This mix of mountain expedition skills, leadership, and fly-fishing is 

any angler’s dream. Orvis guides will teach you the fly-fishing skills 

you need to be an ace on the water while your NOLS instructors 

turn you into an outdoor living expert. After an intensive three-day 

fly-fishing seminar to help you perfect your cast, learn to “match the 

hatch,” and read the water, you’ll shoulder your pack and head into 

the Wind River Mountains for a 21-day wilderness backpacking 

and fishing expedition where cutthroat, brook, brown, golden, and 

rainbow trout abound. Your course will end on a world-renowned 

trout-fishing river with an Orvis-certified guide for five days of personal 

instruction in drift boat handling, rowing techniques, and big 

water fishing. By the end of this monthlong course you will be a 

high functioning member of any fly-fishing expedition. 

DETAILS 







24 



Jeff Wohl 

Yearning for a Western adventure? There’s nothing quite like exploring Wyoming on the back of a horse. Lizard Head Meadows, Wind River Range, Wyoming 

WILDERNESS HORSEPACKING 

There’s nothing quite like seeing the wilderness on horseback. 

We’ll take you from the NOLS-owned and -operated Three Peaks 

Ranch into the wilderness of the Wind River Range and immerse 

you in the basics of Western horsepacking skills—care and feeding, 

horse behavior and herd dynamics, tack, saddling, and riding— 

and other unique experiences of packing and traveling with horses. 

You’ll care for your saddle horse and work together with a partner 

to load and lead your packhorse. You’ll also be in charge of your 

own well-being in the backcountry, learning how to choose a good 

campsite and cook a good meal. Share this wilderness experience 

not only with your fellow students and instructors, but also with 

the worthy companionship of horses. 

DETAILS 


Age and Length: 



Tuition: $4,930 (16 & Over); $3,330 (23 & Over) 

Optional College Credit: 2 hours Skills Practicum, 2 hours Environmental Ethics 

(16 & Over); 2 hours Skills Practicum (23 & Over) 


Becca Parkinson 

Tie on your bedroll and explore the West on horseback, crossing rivers and climbing 

to beautiful vistas. Red Desert, Wyoming 

25

“M MY 19-YEAR-OLD TOOK A NORTH CASCADES MOUNTAINEERING COURSE, AND MY 17-YEAR-OLD WHO WENT ON 

THE ROCK CLIMBING COURSE IN THE WIND RIVERS LAST SUMMER, JUST SIGNED UP FOR A RIVER EXPEDITION 

NEXT. SO, YES, OUR FAMILY LOVES NOLS. WE CONSIDER NOLS TO BE THE IVY LEAGUE OF OUTDOOR PROGRAMS. 

Sue Lovelace, Parent of NOLS Grads Anne and Katie Lovelace 

” 

Dane Sherstad 

Andy Davis 

Work together as a team to accomplish great feats. Yukon 

Peak, Wind River Range, Wyoming 

Learn about the gear and techniques that are necessary to successfully climb Wyoming’s rock walls. Fremont Canyon, 

Wyoming 

WIND RIVER MOUNTAINEERING 

The rugged, glacier-carved Wind River Range is famous for its 

granite headwalls, soaring spires, and towering 13,000-foot summits 

covered with rock and surrounded by glaciers. This remote 

range is also famous for mountaineering expeditions that have a 

perfect blend of glacier travel, snow ascents, and rock climbing. 

You’ll learn fundamental mountaineering skills such as belaying, 

rappelling, climbing techniques, and anchor construction—all 

while traveling over, around, and through the rocky, steep terrain 

of the Wind Rivers. Your route will allow you to learn rock, snow, 

and ice climbing techniques that will lead to longer, more technical 

climbs such as the 13,804-foot Gannett Peak, Wyoming’s 

highest mountain. At the same time, you’ll master the camping, 

hiking, and leadership skills necessary to thrive in the mountain 

environment and beyond. 

DETAILS 




Optional College Credit: 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Skills Practicum, 

2 hours Risk Management 


ROCK CLIMBING 

This backcountry climbing expedition is a comprehensive immersion 

into the sport of traditional (“trad”) rock climbing. You’ll 

learn the fundamentals of climbing as well as backcountry living 

and travel skills amidst some of Wyoming’s famous sheer granite 

walls and towering spires. Your instructors will emphasize skills 

such as movement on rock, rope systems, anchors, rappelling and 

belaying, protection placement, risk management, and lead climbing 

philosophy. You’ll have ample opportunity to practice your 

climbing skills as you develop a strong foundation in wilderness 

ethics away from the frontcountry crags. With a student to instructor 

ratio of 4:1, you’ll get the personal attention necessary to 

develop your climbing and backcountry skills rapidly. 

DETAILS 



16 & Over • Average age: 19 • Duration: 21 or 30 days 


Tuition: $4,150 (21 days); $5,030 (30 days) 

Optional College Credit: 2 hours each Skills Practicum, Risk Management (21 days); 

2 hours each Environmental Ethics, Skills Practicum, Risk Management (30 days) 


26 



Ashley Wise 

The river is your classroom as you learn the skills to navigate some of the West’s most exciting whitewater. Hell’s Half Mile Rapid, Gates of Lodore, Green River, Colorado 

ROCK AND RIVER 

Imagine learning two skills in two very different wilderness environments: 

the stunning crags of Wyoming and the whitewater of 

Utah and Colorado’s Green River. The climbing section in either 

Sinks Canyon outside Lander, Wyoming, or Vedauwoo near Laramie, 

Wyoming, explores granite, limestone, and sandstone rock 

as well as stunning scenery. You’ll learn movement on rock, knots, 

rope handling, belaying, anchors, protection placement, traditional 

and sport climbing systems, rappelling, and risk management. If 

you are ready, experience the thrill of being on the sharp end of the 

rope while lead climbing. The second component of your course 

will take you through Green River’s Desolation and Gray canyons, 

where you’ll get the chance to row an oar rig, captain a paddle raft, 

and steer a whitewater kayak—all through Class I–III+ rapids. 

You’ll live and travel within the canyon’s sandstone walls rimmed 

with sage and piñon pine, experiencing what it takes to organize 

and lead your own river trips. 

DETAILS 



Optional College Credit: 4 hours Skills Practicum, 2 hours Risk Management 


WHITEWATER RIVER EXPEDITION 

Imagine expeditioning 125 miles through the breathtaking canyons 

of Utah and Colorado’s wild Green River, the birthplace of whitewater 

boating. This course offers a thorough introduction to travel 

skills on the same river that launched General John Wesley Powell’s 

famous 1869 expedition. You’ll learn to kayak, captain a paddle raft, 

and row an oar rig as you negotiate the whitewater of Desolation and 

Lodore canyons. You begin in calm water and progress to moving 

water, learning increasingly advanced maneuvers. As the canyons 

get steeper and the rapids get bigger, instruction shifts to hydrology, 

hazard evaluation, and rescue techniques. Rapids like Disaster Falls 

and Hell’s Half-Mile, named by Powell himself, offer exciting challenges 

while exploring this magnificent river. 

DETAILS 





27

SEMESTER IN 

The Rockies 

NOLS INVENTED THE OUTDOOR SEMESTER, 

and this course is where it all began. A Rockies 

Semester will take you on a Wild West “tour de 

force” while giving you a complete set of skills 

to lead and teach in the backcountry, whether 

in the field of outdoor education or with your 

own friends and family. Our grads are among 

the most well-rounded and self-sufficient backcountry 

travelers in the world. Learn to paddle 

a canoe down a class-III rapid, make sound 

first aid decisions miles from the nearest road, 

and navigate through winding slot canyons. 

You’ll see some of the great American West’s 

most treasured spots, carving a telemark turn 

through the winter wilderness on one section 

and jamming your hands into cracks while 

climbing one of Wyoming’s world-class crags 

on the next. Because the Rockies are a hotspot 

for outdoor activities, this semester offers a variety 

of skill sets, allowing students to choose 

the combinations they prefer. 

Spend a semester in the Rocky Mountains and every day will be hands-on, from learning to climb to developing 

good expedition behavior with your coursemates. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

ROCK CLIMBING (all seasons) This fast-paced section takes place in some of the West’s 

most famous climbing areas, from Nevada’s Red Rocks to Idaho’s City of Rocks and the 

Needles in South Dakota. It begins with a foundation of skills such as bouldering, belaying, 

rappelling, knots, and climbing techniques. We’ll also emphasize advanced topics 

such as anchor construction, direct aid, belay escapes, and gear selection. If you’re ready, 

there will also be opportunities to lead climb. 

RIVER TRAVEL (all seasons) This multi-day expedition through Utah’s scenic river canyons 

will introduce you to the fun and excitement of whitewater. Whether in a kayak, a 

canoe, an oar raft, or a paddle raft, you’ll learn to read the water, scout rapids, and execute 

maneuvers such as eddy-turns, peel-outs, and ferries. Depending on your craft, advanced 

skills such as surfing, playboating, raft captaining, and solo canoeing will also be taught 

and practiced on this very hands-on section. 

Jamie 

Becca 

O’Donnell 

Parkinson 

WINTER (fall and spring option) The Rocky Mountains’ harsh and beautiful winter 

environment will create some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your 

semester. After breaking trail from camp to camp, you’ll “dig in,” building a snow shelter 

for you and your coursemates to camp in. Much time will also be devoted to practicing 

your telemark turn on backcountry slopes and assessing snow and avalanche conditions. 

Jamie 

Craig O’Donnell 

Muderlak 

Fried pasta, calzones, and scrambled brownies: A 

few of the delicacies you’ll cook at NOLS. Snake River 

Range, Idaho 

Facing page: The canyon walls are your handrails 

while navigating and map reading. Sam’s Mesa Box, 

Dirty Devil Canyon, Utah 

CANYON (fall and spring) Developing and expanding your own leadership style and environmental 

ethics are the focus of this section, which culminates in a multi-day, studentled 

expedition. You will travel through the unmistakable red rock canyons of southern 

Utah where you’ll study Anasazi rock art and ruins, desert ecology, and land-use policies. 

BACKPACKING (summer and fall option) Map reading, route finding, cooking, and 

Leave No Trace practices will become second nature as you travel through Wyoming’s 

Wind River or Absaroka ranges. Advanced topics covered on this section include fly-fishing, 

baking, off-trail navigation, GPS use, and environmental ethics. 

Semester in the Rockies sections continued on page 30 

28 



Ashley Wise 

29

SEMESTER IN 

The Rockies 

Jamie 

Marco 

O’Donnell 

Johnson 

Jamie 

Pascal 

O’Donnell 

Beauvais 

Instructor Alexis Alloway assesses the snowpack and level of avalanche hazard before a day of winter travel. Tosi 

Creek Basin, Bridger-Teton National Park, Wyoming 

Continued from page 28 

MOUNTAINEERING (fall option only) The rugged glacier-carved Wind River Range is 

the ideal environment for learning wilderness mountaineering. The climbing, belaying, and 

rappelling skills you’ll learn on this section will enable you to challenge yourself on technical 

peak ascents while honing other fundamental backcountry living and traveling skills. 

Pascal Beauvais 

HORSEPACKING (spring option only) From NOLS’ Three Peaks Ranch at the base of 

the Wind River Range, you’ll learn and practice the skills needed to enjoy an extended 

horsepacking expedition. Four days at the ranch encompass saddling, riding, packing, 

and getting to know your horses, then you’ll embark on a two-week trip exploring Wyoming’s 

wilderness on horseback. 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) (fall and spring option) The Wilderness Medicine Institute 

of NOLS (WMI) presents this 16-hour section specific to wilderness emergencies. 

The course is the approved certification for the American Camp Association, the United 

States Forest Service, and many other governmental agencies and outdoor programs. 

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER (WFR) (fall and spring option) Offered by WMI 

of NOLS, this 80-hour section is for outdoor professionals and will give you the tools to 

make sound first aid and evacuation decisions in remote settings. 

LEAVE NO TRACE (all seasons) Earn your Leave No Trace (LNT) Master certification, 

which will allow you to teach LNT ethics to others in the future. 

Craig Muderlak 

Learn to tape an ankle, perfect your tele turn, and nail 

a roll in a kayak: Do it all on a NOLS semester. Absorka 

Range, Wyoming; Gros Ventre Mountains, Wyoming; 

Green River, Utah 

Facing page: Awe-inspiring landscapes help you to 

refl ect on all your new experiences. Green River, Utah 

DETAILS SPRING SUMMER FALL 

Age and Length: 17 & Over • Average age: 20 • Duration: 87 days (spring); 68 days (summer); 89 days (fall) 

Tuition: $11,510 (spring); $12,275 (spring with WFR); $10,510 (summer); $11,775(fall); $12,525 (fall with WFR) 

Fall and Spring Optional College Credit: 4 hours Biology, 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Leadership 

Techniques, 6 hours Skills Practicum, 2 hours Risk Management; 3 credit hours for sections with WFR 

Summer Optional College Credit: 4 hours Biology, 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Leadership Techniques, 

6 hours Skills Practicum, 2 hours Risk Management 

Dates and Sections: page 105 

GAP 

YEAR! 

Are you between high school and college? 

There’s a special Semester in the Rockies for you! 

See page 105 for dates labeled “Gap.” 

30 



Shanan Sussman 

31

SEMESTER FOR 

Outdoor Educators 

THERE’S ONLY SO MUCH YOU CAN LEARN 

about outdoor education indoors. That’s why 

we’ve created the NOLS Semester for Outdoor 

Educators, a chance for aspiring and practicing 

professional educators and students studying 

outdoor education to get into the wilderness and 

out of the classroom. This 89-day semester is 

jam-packed with an entire curriculum dedicated 

to the field of outdoor education. You’ll be with 

other professionals and students ages 21 and 

older who want to learn outdoor skills and leadership 

as they further develop their teaching skills. 

This is your chance to translate your theoretical 

knowledge about outdoor education into reality. 

The NOLS Semester for Outdoor Educators 

means more time teaching and more focus 

on topics like group management as well as 

field and in-town administrative practices. By 

the end of your semester, you’ll be a competent 

backcountry expeditioner, the first step to being 

ready to work for outdoor educational programs 

across the country. 

Winter travel can be daunting, but with the help of your instructors it’s a cinch. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

WINTER After a Level I Avalanche seminar and time spent practicing your telemark 

turns at a local ski area, you’ll leave from NOLS’ Three Peaks Ranch for the winter 

wonderland of the mountains. Your backcountry skiing ability will progress as you learn 

practical winter expedition skills like building snow shelters, understanding snow science, 

and assessing snow and avalanche conditions. 

CANYON Travel through the red rock canyons of southern Utah for a month as you study 

and teach natural history, desert ecology, and land-use policies. 

ROCK CLIMBING You’ll practice teaching basic skills such as bouldering, belaying, and 

knots while honing your proficiency in more advanced topics such as anchor construction, 

direct aid, and belay escapes. 

BACKPACKING (fall only) An introduction to camping and hiking in the Wind River 

Range will kick off the Outdoor Educator Semester in the fall before heading to our Three 

Peaks Ranch for your Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course. 

CANOE (spring only) This multi-day expedition through Utah’s scenic river canyons will 

introduce you to the fun and excitement of whitewater in a canoe. You’ll learn how to read the 

water, scout rapids, and execute eddy turns, peel-outs, ferries, and basic rescue techniques. 


WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER (WFR) Presented by the Wilderness Medicine Institute 

of NOLS, this 80-hour section prepares outdoor professionals to make make sound 

first aid and evacuation decisions in remote settings. 


Timely feedback and formal evaluations are part of how 

NOLS develops leaders. Dirty Devil Wilderness, Utah 

Facing page: Instructor Brad Benter models crack 

climbing techniques. Escalante Canyon, Colorado 

CERTIFICATIONS In addition to the WFR and Level I Avalanche, you will also earn 

your Leave No Trace Master certification. 

DETAILS SPRING FALL 

Age and Length: 21 & Over • Average Age: 24 • Duration: 89 days 

Eligibility: Qualified practicing or potential outdoor educators 

Tuition: $12,655 (spring); $12,905 (fall) 

Optional College Credit: 4 hours Biology, 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Leadership Techniques, 4 hours 

Skills Practicum, 2 hours Risk Management, 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 3 hours WFR 


32 



Josh Beckner 

33

TETON VALLEY 

Matt Burke 

34 


Nestled below the western flanks of the magnificent Teton Mountains in Driggs, Idaho, NOLS Teton Valley is our base 

for exploring the western Rocky Mountain region. We specialize in winter and combination backpacking and rafting 

courses, and we are the hub of the NOLS Adventure programs, offering two-week hiking and four-week hiking and 

rafting courses for 14- and 15-year-olds ready for a summer outside. Join us this summer to look out over pristine mountain 

valleys, hike over Lemhi Pass in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, and raft in the Lower 48’s largest designated 

wilderness area when you paddle the wild and scenic Main Salmon River. Come in the winter to ski or ride unparalleled 

powder in our Teton classroom where you will develop your avalanche awareness and rekindle your sense of play as you 

build shelters made of snow. Discover with NOLS the rugged and intriguing mountains of the Old West—the vast 

backcountry of Idaho, Montana, and western Wyoming—as you explore your leadership style. 

TETON VALLEY 

Elliot Johnston 

Whitewater paddling requires communication, teamwork, and technical skills—all part of the NOLS core curriculum. Salmon River, Idaho 

At NOLS, you’ll learn to recognize the strengths of every member of the team. Salmon 

River, Idaho. 

Facing page: NOLS Teton Valley will be your portal to a winter wilderness. Kitten Ridge, 

near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 



Explore the sculpted peaks of the craggy Lemhis and raft the Main 

Salmon River, an exceptional blend of whitewater, wildlife, and 

American frontier history. Your 28-day expedition starts with an 18- 

day wilderness hiking section. You’ll climb peaks and fish for trout 

as you learn to travel through rugged mountain terrain. Group management 

in steep terrain and map reading are two of the skills you’ll 

learn on your way to becoming a competent backcountry traveler. 

Then you’ll swap backpacks for boats. For 10 days you will navigate 

the Salmon’s whitewater in paddle rafts and oar rigs, learning strokes, 

commands, guiding basics, and advanced maneuvering. The Frank 

Church River of No Return Wilderness is home to abundant wildlife, 

including gray wolves, peregrine falcons, black bears, and bald eagles. 

It is also full of human history and you will have the chance to stop 

at one or more of the old homesteads along the river. Following in the 

footsteps of mountain men like Buckskin Bill, you too will see great 

sights and learn skills for future exploration in the wilderness. 

DETAILS 







35

“W WHEN YOU PUT YOURSELF IN AN EXTREME ENVIRONMENT, THERE’S ALWAYS GROWTH. MY NOLS COURSE TAUGHT 

ME THAT AS LONG AS YOU HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE, NO MATTER WHAT THE WEATHER IS LIKE OR HOW YOUR 

GROUP IS INTERACTING, THAT ATTITUDE REALLY MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN YOUR OVERALL SUCCESS. 

S. 

Annie Kiser, NOLS Alumni & Development Offi ce Manager, Yukon Outdoor Educator ’06, Backcountry Skiing ’10 

” 



Come together with other educators and learn to live and teach in the winter environment. Arizona Creek, Wyoming 

A splitboard and your NOLS instructors will get you to 

the untracked powder. Teton Range, Wyoming 

WINTER OUTDOOR EDUCATOR 

Designed for practicing and aspiring winter outdoor educators, 

this course gives you the skills to teach in any winter wilderness. 

We begin with five days of workshops, including a Recreational 

Level I Avalanche clinic and two days of professional ski instruction 

at Grand Targhee Resort. Then we’ll move into the backcountry 

for miles of skiing in pristine powder. You’ll build elaborate 

snow shelters complete with kitchen counters, benches, and a cozy 

bedroom. With coaching from your instructors, you’ll teach classes 

of your own and be taught by fellow students. For educators 

of all levels, teaching in the winter will polish your presentation 

skills and hone your class management. The longest of our winter 

courses, these 21 days provide some of the best expedition training 

at the school, preparing you to camp and lead well in any cold, 

snowy environment. 

DETAILS 


Eligibility: Qualifi ed practicing or potential outdoor educators, moderate skiing ability. 


Optional College Credit: 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 2 hours Risk Management 


BACKCOUNTRY SNOWBOARDING 

Are you seeking the exhilaration of a perfect ride in untracked 

powder? Want to learn the skills to transition from being an area 

rider to a backcountry boarder? Then come snowboarding with 

NOLS! You’ll venture through the mountains on your split board, 

improve your snowboarding skills, and learn to be comfortable 

and happy outside in the winter. In this snow-covered playground, 

you’ll learn to travel responsibly in avalanche terrain—an important 

skill for riders who want to venture out of ski areas into the 

untamed snowy wilderness. The adventure starts with snowboarding 

instruction at Grand Targhee Resort. Once in the backcountry, 

you’ll construct elaborate snow shelters, learn about teamwork, 

and carve turns in fresh powder. Camping and traveling in the 

winter is a lot of hard work, and surfi ng down the mountain in 

knee-deep powder is a very cool reward. 

DETAILS 





36 


TETON VALLEY 

Ashley Wise 

With expert instruction and plenty of fresh powder, you’ll be linking turns in no time. Teton Valley, Idaho 

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING 

Start with two feet of fresh powder. Now imagine the solitude of a 

winter night, the sky blanketed in endless stars. This is backcountry 

skiing. Living and traveling in this wild environment requires new 

skills and offers new challenges. To be a competent backcountry 

winter traveler, you’ll need a strong foundation in avalanche education. 

We will teach you the skills and put you in terrain where you 

need to make real decisions. This course is also excellent preparation 

for any big mountain expedition where snow and cold are everyday 

factors. You’ll start with two days of skiing instruction at Grand 

Targhee Resort before heading into the backcountry with a pack 

and sled, where the snow is deep, the tracks are few, and a lifetime of 

winter fun is about to begin. 

DETAILS 





23-AND-OVER BACKCOUNTRY SKIING 

This course is the close cousin of our 17-and-over Backcountry 

Skiing course. The slightly shorter 12-day format allows for weekend 

travel for those who have limited time to be away from family 

or work. The course begins with the same great ski instruction at 

Grand Targhee Resort, and the first two backcountry nights are 

spent in a yurt—a semi-permanent soft-walled structure complete 

with a wood stove and an outhouse! This allows participants to 

ease into the challenging winter environment and gain quick access 

to untracked powder skiing. After such relative luxury, the 

course moves further into the backcountry to build snow shelters, 

hone avalanche skills, and seek fresh powder. 

DETAILS 





37

“THE THING THAT I WOULD SAY TO GIRLS IS: DON’T WORRY, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO DO 

IT. WITH EFFORT, YOU WILL SUCCEED. YOU WILL HAVE AN EXPERIENCE THAT WILL 

SHOW YOU HOW TRULY COMPETENT YOU ARE. ”E. 

Jane Fried, Dean of Admission at Phillips Academy, Wilderness Horsepacking ’07 

See more of Jane at www.nols.tv 


Tony Jewell 

Accomplish more than you’ve ever imagined on a co-ed or all-girls Adventure Course 

in some of America’s most remote wilderness. Salmon River, Idaho 

Adventure students get a chance to be a leader to their peers and gain experience and 

skills they can use the rest of their lives. Big Hole Mountains, Idaho 


FOR 14- AND 15-YEAR OLDS 

Independence, responsibility, achievement, and fun—these qualities 

are the essence of this course. In a word: adventure. Whether you 

travel in the Wyoming Range, the Palisades, the Beaverheads, the 

Beartooths, the Lemhis, or the Absarokas, the mountains will be unlike 

any classroom you’ve ever experienced with their fresh air and 

fresh opportunities. You’ll learn skills—backpacking, cooking, camping, 

and navigation with a map—and you’ll also learn things like how 

to turn challenging situations into opportunities, how to get along 

with your group, and how to be a leader even when you’re following. 

This isn’t a kid’s version of other NOLS courses. You’ll get the famous 

NOLS curriculum taught by the same experienced instructors who 

teach for NOLS worldwide. And, as with every NOLS course, these 

are entirely field-based experiences where you’ll travel the country on 

foot and sleep under a blanket of stars. 

DETAILS 




GIRLS 

LEAD! 

Yes, you can! Recognize your full leadership potential in an 

all-female environment with our girls-only Adventure Course 

option. See page 106 for dates. 


ADVENTURE FOR 14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS 

This course is for young teens who want to traverse a little known 

section of the Rocky Mountains near the Idaho-Montana border 

and raft the Main Salmon River, all in one action-packed month. 

In two very different environments, you’ll learn how to make decisions, 

develop confidence, and work through challenges with your 

coursemates (we call this “expedition behavior”). While backpacking, 

you’ll become a competent map reader and backcountry cook, 

and you’ll develop your Leave No Trace skills and stewardship and 

sustainability values. Then, after climbing peaks, crossing rivers, and 

hiking through pristine meadows, you’ll trade your backpack for a 

dry bag. For 10 days on over 80 miles of the wild and scenic Main 

Salmon River, you’ll navigate deep canyons and whitewater in paddle 

rafts and oar rigs. You will learn basic river skills like paddle strokes, 

hazard evaluation, and boat rigging. Overall, you’ll work hard, have 

fun, and return home with leadership skills to last a lifetime. 

DETAILS 




Facing page: Paddle rafts gear up for a day’s lesson on the river. Main Salmon 

River, Idaho 

38 


TETON VALLEY 

Casey Kanode 

39

PACIFIC NORTHWEST 

Jamie O’Donnell 

40 


Forest and ocean. Glacier and river. Heather and pine. This is the Pacific Northwest, with its temperate rain forests, 

stunning ice-covered volcanoes, hidden bays and coves, and lush old-growth forests. Home to bald eagles, black 

bears, mountain goats, elk, porpoises, and whales, this will be your classroom. The Pacific Northwest is the birthplace 

of the outdoor industry and NOLS has been the region’s outdoor education pioneer for more than 35 years. We 

specialize in courses for outdoor educators and trip leaders, and our easy-to-access facilities in Conway, Washington, 

an hour north of Seattle, were specifically designed to support NOLS’ educational expeditions. We’ll outfit you with 

everything you’ll need for an expedition into spectacular backcountry, from Oregon to British Columbia. Whatever 

your method of exploration—sea kayaking, rock climbing, glacier mountaineering, backpacking, or sailing—you’ll 

be in for the experience of a lifetime. 


As an aspiring trip leader, you’ll learn how to plan routes, communicate with coursemates, 

and make sound backcountry decisions. Olympic National Park, Washington 


PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRIP LEADER 

Washington’s wilderness areas are ideal training grounds for learning 

how to lead backpacking trips. Here you’ll join a diverse group 

of trip leaders for an overview of the NOLS curriculum in a setting 

designed for leaders and educators who don’t have a lot of time or 

a huge budget. You’ll learn common leadership strategies through 

dynamic, on-the-trail teaching methods including scenarios, realtime 

problem solving, and experiential learning. You’ll learn the 

intricacies of trip planning and how to organize expeditions of 

your own. Our students leave the Pacific Northwest with a higher 

level of competence and an inspiration to lead. 

DETAILS 


Eligibility: Practicing trip leaders 


Optional College Credit: 2 hours Outdoor Educator 


NEW 


ADVENTURE FOR 14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS 

This course is a 14-day expedition specifically designed for 

young people wanting to learn backcountry skills and explore 

the natural world. With your experienced NOLS instructors, 

you will explore the Pasayten Wilderness or Olympic National 

Park, backpacking through some of the Pacific Northwest’s 

most pristine wild lands. These wilderness classrooms provide 

an ideal setting to challenge yourself and build your leadership 

abilities. You’ll work hard traveling over varied terrain and be 

rewarded with views of towering peaks, clear alpine lakes, and 

dense old-growth forests. You’ll sleep under the stars, learn to 

cook with flair on a camp stove, and make lifelong friends 

with fellow coursemates. When you return home, you’ll have 

the skills needed to plan your own backcountry trips and the 

leadership qualities to succeed in school and whatever else you 

put your mind to. 

DETAILS 




Facing page: The Pacific Northwest will teach you how to competently travel across 

tricky terrain as a team. Glacier Peak Wilderness, North Cascades, Washington 


The Pacific Northwest is a richly diverse wilderness classroom, 

ranging from jagged, glacier-carved mountains and valleys to evergreen 

forests and stands of lodgepole pine. This popular backpacking 

course has two options for exploring this region. Early 

season students travel in the Pasayten Wilderness in northcentral 

Washington, while late season students backpack through Olympic 

National Park on the Olympic Peninsula. The Pasayten boasts 

almost 150 peaks over 7,500 feet in elevation. Rugged ridges in 

the west flatten into expansive plateaus toward the east, with deep 

drainages on both sides. Courses that travel in Olympic National 

Park will traverse from east to west while viewing the area’s rugged 

glacier-capped mountains and wide alpine meadows. Like the first 

Western explorers, you’ll travel along the wild and rugged Pacific 

coast, seeing stands of moss-covered old-growth and temperate 

rain forest. You’ll experience some demanding off-trail hiking as 

you visit pristine and rarely seen parts of the park. 

DETAILS 






41

Madhu Chikkaraju 

Work together on your NOLS course to achieve expedition goals and build lifelong relationships with your coursemates. Mt. Baker, North Cascades, Washington 

WADDINGTON RANGE MOUNTAINEERING 

This demanding expedition travels into British Columbia’s Coast 

Mountains, including the Waddington Range, Whitemantle Range, 

and Homathko Icefield, for a monthlong experience in rock, snow, 

and ice mountaineering skills. Here you’ll get to experience some 

of the biggest and most remote glaciers NOLS travels on and you 

will have more time to practice actual mountaineering since these 

courses travel either in or out of the field via plane. In this area of 

huge glacial plateaus, long granite spires, deep fjords, and snowcapped 

peaks along the rugged coast of British Columbia, you’ll 

learn what it takes to get a team ready to summit. Whether or not 

you’re the first one to the top, you’ll get to practice your newfound 

skills on at least one peak attempt. With tons of technical glacier 

mountaineering and a chance to visit a place few people have ever 

been, this expedition is a true alpine adventure. 

DETAILS 






NORTH CASCADES MOUNTAINEERING 

Washington’s North Cascades, often referred to as the “American 

Alps,” encompass some of America’s most spectacular scenery— 

jagged peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and more glaciers 

than any other location in the Lower 48. Many of the world’s 

top mountaineers use this area as their training ground; the reasonable 

access combined with challenging mountain classrooms 

continue to make this range one of the best places in the world to 

learn to be a mountaineer. The pace is gradual in the beginning 

as you travel through lush, old-growth forests and tangled alder 

thickets, and it gains momentum as you ascend to the North Cascades’ 

majestic, snow-clad peaks. You’ll get a well-rounded base 

of snow, ice, and crevasse rescue mountaineering skills, with some 

potential for rock climbing. With a student to instructor ratio 

of 5:1 and many days of practice, you’ll receive an unparalleled 

NOLS mountaineering education. 

DETAILS 






2 hours Risk Management (17 & Over); 2 hours Skills Practicum (23 & Over) 


42 


“IT 

WAS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING EXPERIENCES, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE MOST 

REWARDING. I REALLY CAME BACK APPRECIATING WHAT IS AUTHENTIC. I BECAME 

MUCH MORE AWARE OF MY SURROUNDINGS, CAPABILITIES, AND POTENTIAL. 

Yi Wei, Student at Harvard University, Pacifi c Northwest Backpacking ’07 

” 


Alan Neilson 

Marco Johnson 

Wind power is all the rage. Sails open up an expanse of a 

water-filled wilderness. Strait of Georgia, British Columbia 

Instructors teach on land so students can perform on the water: A proper hip snap and high brace are key to executing 

the Eskimo roll. Wilke Point, British Columbia 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: 

MOUNTAINEERING 

With a team of dedicated teachers and a facility that’s ideal for expedition 

planning, we specialize in courses for educators at NOLS 

Pacific Northwest. On this outdoor educator course you’ll get a 

variety of skills—backpacking, mountaineering, and rock climbing—and 

experience a variety of terrain, from forests to glaciers to 

alpine rock. You’ll join a group of other motivated educators and 

outdoor leaders for 31 days of action-packed learning. You’ll start 

out in temperate rain forests, working up to the jagged, snow-clad 

peaks of either the North Cascades or the Olympics. Here you’ll 

practice mountaineering skills, attempt a peak ascent, and learn 

the ins and outs of teaching and leading in the backcountry. You’ll 

then switch gears for rock climbing at either Squamish, B.C., or 

Leavenworth, Washington. Throughout the course, your veteran 

instructors will pass along an in-depth look at NOLS’ time-tested 

teaching and programming methods as well as their strong enthusiasm 

for teaching in the wilderness. 

DETAILS 



Tuition: $4,065 • Optional College Credit: 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 2 hours Risk 

Management, 2 hours Environmental Ethics 


PACIFIC NORTHWEST SEA KAYAKING 

AND SAILING 

Find the full beauty of the Pacific Northwest on this all-ocean 

coastal exploration. You will sea kayak the remote waters of Vancouver 

Island’s outer coast, visiting pristine sandy beaches and hidden 

tidal lagoons while traveling in the wake of the many First 

Nations peoples and early explorers who opened the trade routes in 

this region. Along the way, learn a range of technical skills including 

fundamental paddling strokes, weather analysis, and interpretation 

of tides and currents. During the sailing section, you’ll fi nd 

yourself aboard a 36-foot keelboat to explore the remote Strait of 

Georgia and Desolation Sound. Along these precipitous coastlines, 

you’ll learn boat handling under sail and power, chart reading, 

coastal navigation, and seamanship. From helm to foredeck to 

navigation station, you will get a hands-on opportunity to crew all 

the positions above and below deck. With a combo course like this 

one, you’re sure to grow into your sea legs. 

DETAILS 






43

SEMESTER IN THE 

Pacific Northwest 

THE WILDERNESS OF THE NORTHWEST— 

your home for two and a half months—is like 

no other region in the country. In close proximity 

to the NOLS Pacific Northwest headquarters 

are steep, heavily glaciated mountains, 

impressive forests of towering evergreens, 

outstanding rock climbing areas, and miles of 

wilderness coastline. You’ll explore all these 

environments, from jamming your hands into 

granite cracks on a climb to taking the helm of 

a 36-foot sailboat in British Columbia waters. 

Throughout, you’ll be experiencing things few 

other semesters at NOLS offer, including keelboat 

sailing in Canada and a coastal hiking section 

where you’ll study the coast’s marine life 

and end at the Makah Indian Nation. From the 

snow-capped peaks and clear mountain lakes 

to old-growth forests and tidal waters, you’ll 

explore, navigate, learn, and practice your 

skills, returning home with a solid foundation 

in wilderness expeditioning. 

Offered exclusively on the Pacific Northwest Semester, coastal backpacking provides a unique natural history 

opportunity and a chance to explore a breathtaking environment. Olympic National Park, Washington 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) Hosted by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, 

this 16-hour section covers first aid specific to wilderness emergencies and is essential for 

anyone spending extended time in the outdoors. 

MOUNTAIN TRAVEL The intricacies of backcountry living are revealed as you move 

through this stunning environment, from packing your pack efficiently to staying warm 

and dry in a wet and sometimes chilly climate. You’ll travel in canoes for four days of this 

section to see the area from a unique perspective, and then you’ll hike up through forested 

valleys to areas of snow and ice where you’ll learn specialized mountaineering skills such 

as ice axe and crampon use, rope systems, and crevasse rescue. 

COASTAL BACKPACKING On the outskirts of Olympic National Park, you’ll visit the Port 

Townsend Marine Science Center and then embark on a coastal expedition, studying life in 

tidal pools and camping and traveling beside the ocean. You’ll learn about tide charts, weather 

patterns, and identifying coastal hazards. You’ll also visit the Makah Cultural Center for a 

glimpse into the region’s human history. This section culminates in a student-led expedition. 

ROCK CLIMBING At a base camp at one of the Northwest’s many great climbing areas, 

you’ll immerse yourself in the finer points of rock climbing techniques and systems. You’ll 

progress at your own speed, learning skills such as belay and rappel techniques, protection 

placement, risk management, and single pitch versus multi-pitch climbing. 

SAILING A 36-foot keelboat will be your moving classroom during this segment of your 

adventure. Boats will sail in pairs, each carrying five students and one instructor, as you 

learn the finer points of seamanship, including how to handle your boat under sail or 

power, navigate using charts, and function with your coursemates as one tight-knit crew. 

Jamie 

Sam Slosburg 

O’Donnell 

SEA KAYAKING (optional dates only) You’ll paddle the remote waters of British Columbia’s 

central coast while learning a range of technical skills, from basic to advanced sea 

kayaking strokes to weather awareness and knowledge of tides and currents. 

Benjamin Lester 

Learn the ropes as you navigate the coastal beauty of the 

Pacific Northwest. Strait of Georgia, British Columbia 

Facing page: By the end of your semester, no 

obstacle will be insurmountable. Squamish, British 

Columbia 

BACKPACKING (optional dates with sea kayaking) This section begins on the western 

edge of the North Cascades National Park and traverses spectacular old growth forest and 

rugged ridges to the shores of Ross Lake and beyond in the Pasayten Wilderness. 

DETAILS 

FALL 




Skills Practicum, 2 hours Risk Management 


44 




45

SOUTHWEST 

Lindsay Nohl 

46 


Welcome to the American Southwest: A horizon studded with saguaro cactus, hidden nooks lush with watercress, granite 

strongholds glowing orange in the setting sun, the call of a Gambel’s quail, the smell of mesquite washed in a pounding 

desert rain. Now put yourself in the picture. You will be climbing, hiking, canoeing, and caving in terrain as varied 

as those skills. From our headquarters on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona, we explore the amazing diversity of this 

desert region, a land of mountain lion, javelina, and white-tailed deer. Birds such as the elegant trogon and white-eared 

hummingbird fly the same skies as red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures. It’s a land that famed naturalist Aldo Leopold 

called “near to being the cream of creation." Courses pass through areas also rich in human history, areas originally 

inhabited by ancient cultures and areas with a more recent Spanish influence. With easy access, amazing contrasts, and 

challenging technical skills, a course at NOLS Southwest is hard to beat. 

SOUTHWEST 

Josh Beckner 

Ryan Hutchins-Cabibi 

The Southwest is an ideal learning ground for outdoor educators to strengthen their 

teaching and technical skills. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona 

Going lightweight allows students to push the limits of their gear and put more miles 

under their feet. Galiuro Mountains, Arizona 

SOUTHWEST OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: 

BACKPACKING AND ROCK CLIMBING 

Are you an active or aspiring outdoor educator? This is your 

opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for 

teaching and leading field-based wilderness education programs. 

While in the desert, you’ll learn basic outdoor living skills such 

as minimum-impact camping, first aid, and map reading. We’ll 

also give you an inside track into the fundamentals of running 

wilderness education courses with an overview of program supervision, 

risk management, and NOLS administrative practices. 

While building a foundation of program knowledge, the course 

dives into a 19-day backpacking expedition in the pristine desert 

landscape of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge followed by 10 

days of rock climbing at Cochise Stronghold, a maze of granite 

pinnacles in the Dragoon Mountains. 

DETAILS 


Eligibility: Qualified practicing or aspiring outdoor educators 


Optional College Credit: 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 2 hours Leadership Techniques, 

2 hours Environmental Ethics 


Facing page: Consistently good weather and solid rock contribute to another amazing 

climbing day in the Southwest. Cochise Stronghold, Arizona 

SOUTHWEST LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING 

Leave your hiking boots and water bottles at home; trail shoes and 

hydration bladders are all the rage these days. Partnering with Go- 

Lite, we are proud to offer this cutting-edge course in the deserts 

of the Southwest. Your adventure starts in the equipment room as 

NOLS instructors inspect and weigh your lightweight gear and 

pull together a specialized ration for your expedition, helping you 

shave ounces for the lightest possible load without compromising 

functionality. Then, for the next two weeks, you'll explore either 

the Galiuro Mountains or the Gila Wilderness, some of the Southwest’s 

most remote ranges, in a way you may never have thought 

possible: with only 25 pounds on your back. The only thing we 

won’t go light with on this course is our core curriculum. You’ll still 

master the leadership and outdoor living skills that NOLS is built 

upon while learning the specific skills of lightweight backpacking. 

Expect to leave this course with the skills and background necessary 

to plan and execute your own future lightweight adventures. 

DETAILS 





47


Southwest 

A SEMESTER IN THE SOUTHWEST WILL GIVE 

you a unique glimpse into the American Southwest’s 

living desert. You will discover the desert 

to be alive with plants and animals like coyote, 

javelina, mountain lions, peregrine falcons, mesquite, 

and cactus. The different sections on this 

semester will take you from the rushing waters 

of the Rio Grande to the ponderosa pine forests 

of the Gila Range. You will find yourself jamming 

your fingers and feet into granite cracks and exploring 

with all your senses through decorated 

limestone caves. 

Along with natural history, you’ll also discover 

the desert’s rich human history and have 

plenty of time to travel through the areas once 

inhabited by ancient cultures, discovering drawings 

and other traces left behind by our ancestors. 

In this land of constant sun, backpacking, 

caving, climbing, and canoeing will prepare you 

for the independent student expedition that is 

the grand finale of your semester. 

Explore the ruins of the Southwest and see how local ancestors once lived. Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila Wilderness, 

New Mexico 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) Hosted by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of 

NOLS, this 16-hour section covers first aid specific to wilderness emergencies and is 

essential for anyone spending extended time in the outdoors. 

BACKPACKING The Gila Range in New Mexico, the first designated wilderness area in 

the U.S., or the rugged Galiuro Mountains in southeastern Arizona will be your classroom 

for the backpacking section. Both destinations offer varied terrain and beautiful 

surroundings in which to hone your backcountry living skills. 

CAVING (if available) On this section you’ll explore the miraculous underground world 

visiting many caves either near the famous Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico or in the 

varied terrain of southeastern Arizona. You’ll have a unique chance to marvel at a subterranean 

wilderness few people ever see or even know exists. 

ROCK CLIMBING Cochise Stronghold, a land of towering granite domes, is one of the best 

climbing locations in Arizona. As you hone your climbing risk management and judgment 

skills, you’ll move at your own pace from the fundamentals of top-roping and anchor building 

to more complex techniques like multi-pitch climbing. 

Madhu 

Rainbow 

Chikkaraju 

Weinstock 

CANOEING You’ll paddle down the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park, Texas, where 

water has carved out spectacular canyons in the Chihuahuan Desert. You’ll learn how to read 

whitewater, practice river rescue techniques, and identifying hazards while scouting rapids. 

Nick Cross 

Discover a new world underground. Lake Cave, New 

Mexico 

Facing page: Helmets off, sun hats on: a calm moment 

on the Rio Grande. Upstream of Lower Canyons, Texas 

STUDENT EXPEDITION Upon successful completion of the previous sections, you’ll have 

the opportunity to apply all of your accumulated knowledge by planning and executing 

an autonomous student expedition. Heading out in either the Galiuro or Gila mountains, 

this is the highlight of the Southwest semester. 







48 


SOUTHWEST 

Brian Murphy 

49

SEMESTER ON THE 

Borders 

THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, THIS IS ONE 

of the most geographically diverse semesters at 

NOLS. Your adventure will begin in the desert 

Southwest, a land of cactus and javelina, and as 

winter subsides you will move north, to the lush 

Pacific Northwest with its snow-covered peaks 

and forested islands. During the only spring 

semester that combines both desert travel and 

maritime skills, you’ll experience a wide variety 

of adventures that will allow you to be a wellrounded 

wilderness traveler on land and sea. 

You’ll begin at NOLS Southwest in Tucson, 

Arizona, for wilderness first aid, backpacking, 

and climbing, and then transition to NOLS Pacific 

Northwest outside Seattle, Washington, for sailing 

and sea kayaking. From scaling a rock wall 

in Arizona to slicing through the waters of British 

Columbia, you’ll have the time of your life and see 

just how versatile the NOLS curriculum is. 

Thirty-six-foot Catalina keelboats will be both your transportation and your home on your sailing section. Smuggler 

Cove, British Columbia 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) Hosted by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of 

NOLS, this 16-hour section covers first aid specific to wilderness emergencies and is essential 

for anyone spending extended time in the outdoors. 

BACKPACKING Whether hiking in Arizona's rocky Galiuro Mountains, with rugged 

cliffs and natural springs, or New Mexico's Gila Range, the first designated wilderness area 

in the U.S., you will learn the essentials of backcountry living and soak up life outside. 

ROCK CLIMBING Arizona’s Cochise Stronghold promises warm, sunny weather and 

enough climbing routes to keep you roped up and cranking hard. The area’s tall domes 

make it an ideal base from which to learn top-roping, anchor building, climbing movement, 

and even multi-pitch skills. 

Alan Neilson 

SAILING The coastal sailing section takes place in the northern reaches of the Strait of 

Georgia and Desolation Sound in British Columbia, Canada. You’ll learn how to sail and 

navigate 36-foot keelboats, each carrying a group of students and an instructor. On-water 

classes include boat handling, charts, coastal navigation, and seamanship. 

Josh Beckner 

Student Sean Bryant stays hydrated in the deserts of 

the American Southwest. Kofa National Wildlife Refuge 

Facing page: Southwest rock climbing sections start 

with the basics: top-roping, belaying, and movement. 

Cochise Stronghold, Arizona 

SEA KAYAKING You’ll paddle the remote waters of British Columbia’s central coast on 

this section, visiting pristine sandy beaches, majestic fjords, ancient moss-covered rain forests, 

and remote islands and sea caves. At the same time, you’ll learn a range of technical 

skills, from basic to advanced sea kayaking strokes to weather awareness and knowledge of 

tides and currents. Whales, sea lions, and wolves are just a sample of the wildlife you could 

see on this amazingly wild waterway. 

DETAILS 

SPRING 






50 


SOUTHWEST 


51

YEAR IN THE 

Sonoran 

NOLS RUNS THE LONGEST COURSE IN THE 

history of outdoor education, 135 days, or the 

equivalent of a year at college. The Sonoran Year 

will take you far from the classroom and give 

you an education of practical and experiential 

learning. The Sonoran Desert spans 120,000 

square miles from the American Southwest 

to the tip of Baja California, Mexico. On your 

NOLS year you will explore both the desert 

and the sea. You’ll sea kayak, sail, climb, cave, 

and hike in the unique Sonoran ecosystem, the 

most lush, diverse desert in North America, 

while also learning about the distinctive local 

cultures through Baja human and natural history. 

Whether its through the culture of Mexican 

fishermen and rancheros, whales breaching 

within sight, or leading a group of your peers 

through the wild Southwest, you’ll leave NOLS 

with new skills, new motivation, and a year’s 

worth of college credit. 

Instructor Alan Coulter demonstrates the strokes as students practice in their kayaks. Now that's hands-on learning. 

Conception Bay, Baja California 

BACKPACKING Backpacking will be the thread that runs through your entire year, learning 

the camping and travel skills that will set the foundation for your entire course. You’ll 

hone your backpacking proficiency in both the Southwest and Mexico, and if your skills 

are up to par, the end of your year will culminate in a student-led expedition—an opportunity 

to apply all of your accumulated knowledge, independent of your instructors. 

ROCK CLIMBING Cochise Stronghold is a beautiful remote climbing area in the Dragoon 

Mountains of Arizona that provides excellent opportunities to cover a comprehensive 

technical curriculum, including climbing movement, anchor systems, and multipitch 

climbing. 

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER (WFR) Presented by the Wilderness Medicine Institute 

of NOLS, this 80-hour certification designed for outdoor professionals will give you 

the tools to make sound first aid and evacuation decisions in remote settings. 

CAVING (if available) This section is a rare chance to marvel at a subterranean wilderness 

that is rarely visited. You'll explore many caves either near the famous Carlsbad Caverns 

in New Mexico or in the varied terrain of southeastern Arizona. 

LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR (LEADS) This seminar 

takes a closer look at the NOLS leadership curriculum and explores in greater depth your 

personal style of leadership and that of your coursemates. 

Abe Goodale 

SEA KAYAKING Paddling the desert coastline of the Baja Peninsula includes hands-on 

expedition planning, interpreting tides and currents, reading weather conditions, and exploring 

the underwater world by snorkeling, free diving, and, potentially, spear fishing. 

Nate 

Rainbow 

Steele 

Weinstock 

Become master of the seas as you learn to navigate using 

nautical charts. Punta Rosa, Sea of Cortez 

Facing page: Learn to move confidently and efficiently 

on vertical rock as you master the techniques needed to 

get to the top. Cochise Stronghold, Arizona 

COASTAL SAILING, BAJA NATURAL HISTORY, AND WHALE-WATCHING While on 

our 22-foot Drascombe Longboat you’ll work toward mastering the mechanics of sailing 

this open boat, including sail and line handling, wind awareness, anchoring procedures, 

and capsize recovery. Then you will spend time with local naturalists, students, and 

fishermen observing endemic flora and fauna, global warming evidence, and the migration 

of gray whales. 

DETAILS 

Age and Length: 18 & Over • Average age: 20 • Duration: 135 days; 65 days (fall), 70 days (spring) 


Optional College Credit: 4 hours Biology, 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 4 hours Leadership Techniques, 

8 hours Skills Practicum, 4 hours Risk Management, 2 hours Expedition Planning, 3 hours WFR credit 


ACADEMIC YEAR 

52 


SOUTHWEST 

Dave Anderson 

53

NORTHEAST 

David Durant 

54 


A patchwork of public and private lands, the Adirondack Park in northern New York is the largest park in the Lower 48 

and is just hours from major population centers such as Montreal, New York City, and Boston. This is NOLS’ newest 

wilderness classroom and the ideal place in the Northeast for a unique wilderness experience. Sparkling lakes, tannincolored 

ponds, and rivers large and small punctuate this landscape, while Mount Marcy and other high peaks preside 

over countless lesser peaks and valleys of the Adirondack Mountains to provide a spectacular setting for adventurous 

mountain travel. Experience the landscape that provided shelter and sustenance to the Algonquian and Mohawk Indians, 

and the unique boreal forests that are home to beaver, deer, moose, fisher, pine marten, osprey, lynx, and over 

250 species of birds. Come along with NOLS Northeast and explore the Adirondack Mountains while practicing real 

leadership and outdoor living skills. 

NORTHEAST 

The Adirondacks, with their mixed conifer and hardwood forests, mountains, and lakes, are a premier wilderness destination. Henderson Lake 

NEW 


FOR 14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS 

Designed for young teens with a sense of adventure, this course 

takes you to the Adirondack Mountains where you will hike, learn, 

and explore with your peers for two weeks. The Adirondacks are 

the premier wilderness destination of the northeastern United 

States with mountain summits, conifer and hardwood forests, 

wetlands, lakes, ponds, and rivers—in a nutshell, a mosaic of ecosystem 

discovery. Under the mentorship of the same experienced 

NOLS instructors who teach for the school worldwide, you will 

experience the time-tested NOLS core curriculum: leadership, 

backpacking, environmental ethics, camping, fly-fishing, navigation, 

map reading, and much more. You will challenge yourself, 

gain trust and support from your coursemates, and develop new 

leadership skills that transfer to your everyday life. In short, you 

will work hard, have fun, and bring home unforgettable stories and 

memories for a lifetime. 

DETAILS 

Age: 14 & 15 • Duration: 14 days 



Feel the accomplishment of traveling and working as a team through exciting and 

beautiful terrain. Northville-Placid Trail, Silver Lake Wilderness Area, Adirondack Park 

Facing page: You’ll feel ten-feet tall when you complete your NOLS course. High 

Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Park 

David Durant David Durant 

55

ALASKA 


56 


The boundlessness of the place will grab you first, for there is nowhere as far-flung as Alaska. It will alter your concept of 

space. Glaciers calve into the sea, Arctic tundra stretches beyond the horizon, rugged and expansive mountains reach into 

the sky, wildlife is abundant, and humans are scarce. The Land of the Midnight Sun has a whopping 238 million acres of 

public land. The around-the-clock daylight of summer, the vast geographic distance from the Lower 48, and the variety 

of cultures set it apart. From our state-of-the-art headquarters in the historic Matanuska Valley outside Palmer or one of 

our operations bases in Fairbanks or Petersburg, we’ll outfit you with everything you need for an expedition into the wild. 

No other organization offers the breadth of opportunities in Alaska that NOLS does, from the Arctic Circle to the Southcentral 

coastal ranges to the Southeast archipelagos. Backpacking, sea kayaking, or mountaineering: no matter how you 

choose to explore Alaska, you’ll learn with NOLS all you need to know about living and traveling in this vast wilderness. 

ALASKA 



Learn to navigate your way through Alaska's awe-inspiring fjords by sea kayak. 

Harriman Fjord, Prince William Sound 

Become one with the rhythm of our planet as you paddle the rolling tides of Alaska's 

coastal waters. Inside Passage 

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND 23-AND-OVER 

SEA KAYAKING 

Our 23-and-over courses paddle in Alaska’s world famous Prince 

William Sound, past towering tidewater glaciers that moan and 

crackle, crystal-blue icebergs bobbing on the ocean’s surface, and 

wooded coves perfect for camping. The sea teems with various 

forms of life, and you’ll have the ideal vantage point to view it all. 

Sea birds wheel in the sky overhead while tidal pools with starfish, 

anemones, and other small creatures dot the shorelines. You’ll 

work hard paddling with all your gear stowed in your boat, but 

you’ll have opportunities to play as well. There are fish to catch 

and so many things to learn about in your surroundings. You’ll 

hone your wilderness skills, have fun, and practice your leadership 

as you explore wild, wonderful Alaska. 

DETAILS 





SOUTHEAST ALASKA SEA KAYAKING 

Since 1971, NOLS students have been exploring the wilds of Alaska 

in sea kayaks. There’s no better way to take in Alaska’s dramatic 

coastline than by gliding on the water. Your launching point for 

this course is Petersburg, located in the heart of Southeast Alaska’s 

Inside Passage. This archipelago is a remote land of forest and 

ocean. Beaches jut up against dense temperate rain forests, where 

giant spruce and hemlock rise to neck-craning heights. Much of 

your time will be spent near Kuiu Island, an ancient forest home to 

black bears, wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer, moose, and river otters. 

You’ll learn to plan routes and navigate them using nautical charts, 

as well as hone technical skills such as paddling and open-water 

crossings. You may be rewarded by catching halibut or salmon or 

seeing the humpback and orca whales that abound in the area. 

DETAILS 








Facing page: A snow class at NOLS. Soon "rest step" and "self arrest" will be part of 

your outdoor vocabulary. Matanuska Glacier 

57

“O ONE OF THE GREATEST LESSONS I LEARNED ON THE TRIP IS TO BE MINDFUL OF HOW 

DIFFERENT PEOPLE’S EXPERIENCES COLOR THE WAY THEY REACT TO A SITUATION. 

Ilana Saxe, Teacher, Alaska Outdoor Educator ’07 



Take a deep breath. Exhale. You'll see and experience all Alaska has to offer. Prince 

William Sound 

Take a break and pass the trail food. Peanut butter pretzel, anyone? Matanuska Valley 

ALASKA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING 

Alaska is a land of incredible fjords, forested ocean coasts, and 

high alpine meadows. Your monthlong adventure will give you a 

chance to learn two wilderness travel skills, backpacking and sea 

kayaking. While kayaking, you’ll follow a route in Prince William 

Sound where glaciers flow directly into the ocean and a variety 

of marine animals are easy to spot. You’ll learn how to handle 

your boat in different conditions of wind and tide, and also how 

to be a good leader and keep a positive attitude after a long day of 

paddling. The mountains of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, the 

Talkeetnas, the Kenai Mountains, or the Chugach Range will be 

your home for the backpacking section. Here you’ll start below 

tree line and head into the mountains along glacier-carved river 

valleys, reaching open high country known as tundra. The vistas 

here are wide, the mountains rugged, and the lessons lifelong. 

DETAILS 






ALASKA OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: 

BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING 

If you’re a practicing or aspiring outdoor educator, you know that 

learning to lead groups in two different skill areas is a professional 

advantage. This course will prepare you to do just that, giving you 

the chance to learn how to lead on land and sea. Your classroom for 

the sea kayaking section is Prince William Sound with its plentiful 

wildlife and booming tidewater glaciers. Using either Whittier or 

Valdez as a starting point, you’ll learn how to glide along the coast 

in a sea kayak and have a chance to practice your teaching skills in 

some of the most beautiful parts of the Sound. For the backpacking 

portion of the course, you’ll be in either Wrangell-St. Elias National 

Park, the Talkeetna Mountains, or the Kenai Mountains. In this 

land of tundra and rocky passes, you’ll work with our veteran educators 

to learn skills such as risk management, ration planning, and 

program supervision. By the end of this expedition, you’ll be better 

equipped to teach, lead, and explore, whether in a boat or on foot. 

DETAILS 




Optional College Credit: 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 2 hours Risk Management, 



58 


ALASKA 

Bryan Palmintier 

Being so small in Alaska's big wilderness will magnify your and your coursemates' accomplishments. Turtle Flats, Matanuska Glacier 

ALASKA MOUNTAINEERING 

This course takes you to a place in Southcentral Alaska often referred 

to as “the mountain kingdom of North America,” where a 

chain of rugged mountain ranges and spectacular glaciers converge 

to make a mountaineer’s dreamscape. Within this region you’ll 

explore the coastal Chugach Range, the interior Alaska Range, 

or the vast Wrangell-St. Elias Range. The specific route for each 

course is entirely season dependent, with expeditions in the early 

season climbing mostly above snow line to access terrain via huge 

snowfields, and courses operating in the later season completing 

technical ice routes on glacier. All routes on the course for students 

ages 17 and older are classically Alaskan with long approaches on 

large glaciers. The shorter course for students ages 23 and older 

flies directly onto a glacier to maximize time for technical skill 

development. Both courses provide an ideal training ground for 

learning to live and travel responsibly and efficiently in challenging 

mountain terrain. 

DETAILS 






2 hours Risk Management (17 & Over); 2 hours Skills Practicum (23 & Over) 


DENALI MOUNTAINEERING 

(Alumni only) The highest peak in North America—known 

as Denali or “Great One” by Alaska Natives—is the site for 

this expedition designed for qualified NOLS graduates. 

Denali offers extremely challenging glacier travel and some 

of the most difficult weather in the world, so this course is 

one of the most demanding NOLS offers, both physically 

and mentally. During the course you’ll attempt to climb the 

Muldrow Glacier route on the north side of the mountain. The 

expedition begins with several days of tundra hiking followed 

by navigating up the lower expanses of the Muldrow Glacier. 

After a resupply at McGonagall Pass, you’ll continue up the 

Muldrow, encountering crevasses and deep snow, and ascend 

the dramatic Karsten’s Ridge to the Harper Glacier. There you’ll 

establish high camp at approximately 17,000 feet, from which 

you’ll attempt the 20,320-foot summit. This route has a remote 

wilderness flavor that is not found on the more frequented 

routes up the mountain. 

DETAILS 


Eligibility: Qualified NOLS graduates 





59

Evan Horn 

Packrafting is the latest technique for exploring Alaska's deep wilderness. Paxon Lake 

ALASKA BACKPACKING 

An Alaska Backpacking course is a wilderness expedition in every 

sense, allowing you to explore beautiful landscapes in the Talkeetna 

Mountains, the Alaska Range, or Wrangell-St. Elias National 

Park, where the trees disappear and the land stretches into 

alpine tundra plains with a backdrop of rugged and heavily eroded 

mountains. Up here where it’s still light at midnight, you’ll follow 

the tracks of the seasonal caribou migration. How to hike on tundra; 

identify the birds, flowers, wildlife, and plants of the North 

Country; and keep warm, dry, and happy even when it’s wet are 

all part of your backcountry curriculum. You’ll become a seasoned 

wilderness traveler, learning how to read a map, navigate off trail, 

and scan the horizon for grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, 

and Dall sheep. 

DETAILS 








NEW 

ALASKA BACKPACKING AND PACKRAFTING 

Packrafting is at the forefront of Alaskan exploration and NOLS 

is right there with it. Designed for students 18-and-over, this 

30-day land- and water-based expedition uses packrafts—singleperson 

inflatable rafts weighing four pounds each—to open up 

some of the world’s most remote country that would be otherwise 

inaccessible to overland travel. With this equipment and the 

help of experienced instructor teams, you will navigate the 

rivers of the eastern Alaska Range and the Talkeetna Mountains 

that would otherwise be obstacles on a traditional backpacking 

course. On this self-sustained monthlong expedition you’ll 

learn how to live comfortably in the backcountry, hike through 

mountains and across tundra, and paddle your packraft through 

Class II rapids. You might even see Dall sheep, moose, caribou, 

wolves, and black and grizzly bears along the way. 

DETAILS 

Age and Length: 18 & Over • Duration: 30 days 





60 


“AT 

NOLS IT'S ALL ABOUT CREATIVITY, IT'S ALL ABOUT INNOVATION, 

IT'S ALL ABOUT EXPLORING THE EDGES OF ONE'S ABILITIES. ”S. 

Tori McClure; Author, Adventurer, and President of Spaulding University; Semester in Alaska '85, Semester in Kenya '86 

See more of Tori at www.nols.tv 

ALASKA 

TC Rammelkamp 

TC Rammelkamp 

Learn the value of a bluebird day as you navigate Arctic 

rivers. Noatak River, Gates of the Arctic National Park 

Scouting the right path through pristine and fragile tundra is the perfect place for students to practice their Leave No 

Trace skills. Brooks Range 

BROOKS RANGE BACKPACKING AND RIVER 

The Brooks Range is one of the wildest mountain ranges in North 

America. Stretched across the tundra north of the Arctic Circle, 

this Land of the Midnight Sun is defi ned by big open river bottoms, 

steep mountain slopes, and expansive tundra. After flying 

into the area with an experienced Alaskan bush pilot, you’ll spend 

the first 10 days of this extended Arctic expedition on foot, moving 

across the tundra and up braided river channels. Then you’ll 

swap boots and backpacks for folding canoes and touring kayaks 

for a three-week river trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 

or Gates of the Arctic National Park, one of North America’s largest 

mountain-ringed river basins. The mountains are spectacular 

and rugged and the rivers flow through wilderness for hundreds of 

miles. It’s possible to see Dall sheep, moose, caribou, wolves, black 

and grizzly bears, and lynx as you travel. 

BROOKS RANGE 23-AND-OVER BACKPACKING 

North of the Arctic Circle and aptly dubbed Land of the Midnight 

Sun, much of the landscape in the Brooks Range lies above tree line 

and elevations range from sea level to over 9,000 feet. Designed 

especially for students ages 23 and older, this 14-day backpacking 

course packs in backcountry travel lessons in the steep shale mountains 

and expansive tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 

and the Philip Smith Mountains. This is not a guided tour. You’ll 

learn the skills in these two weeks needed to travel in a mountain 

environment long after your course ends. 

DETAILS 





DETAILS 






61

SEMESTER IN 

Alaska 

YOUR SEMESTER IN ALASKA INCLUDES 

everything from forested coastlines to the snow 

and ice of the high mountain peaks to the tundra 

and rivers in between. In the long days of the 

northern summer, you’ll have plenty of time to 

learn about and travel through wild Alaska. 

Hiking takes you to the continent’s largest 

assemblage of glaciers and itss greatest collection 

of peaks over 16,000 feet in elevation. The 

semester’s mountaineering section travels even 

further into this area, an ideal training ground for 

learning to live and climb on snow and ice. Finally, 

you will spend 23 days sea kayaking in Prince 

William Sound. Amidst all this activity, you can 

also expect an extensive environmental studies 

curriculum, giving you a unique perspective on 

some of the world’s most stunning wilderness. 

After honing skills and leadership for 75 days at 

NOLS Alaska, you can be confident traveling in 

a variety of wilderness settings. 

Alaska's mountains and rivers set the stage for your course to work as a team through expedition behavior, communication, 

and setting goals. Matanuska Valley 

SEA KAYAKING You’ll explore the wilderness coastline of Prince William Sound by 

starting with basics, such as learning how to load your sea kayak, then moving to more 

advanced topics in a gradual progression that allows for quality learning. Classes will 

include paddling techniques, ocean hazards, tidal evaluation, natural history, and risk 

management. You’ll camp among the spruce or on rocky beaches and live and learn with 

your instructors and coursemates. 


BACKPACKING Learning how to pack a backpack and walk lightly on the tundra of Alaska's 

Southcentral mountain ranges kicks off this section. Then you’ll progress to studying 

flora and fauna of the region, learning practical leadership skills, and practicing Leave No 

Trace camping techniques. Map reading, river crossing, bear camping, hazard identification, 

and decision-making will all be part of your continuing education. 


Another day in paradise. Beats four walls and an uncomfortable 

chair! Prince William Sound 

Facing page: Student Caroline Cheung ties a trucker's 

hitch like a champ. Divide Basin, Black Rapids Glacier, 

Eastern Alaska Range 

GLACIER MOUNTAINEERING This section includes intensive skill training for living 

and climbing in Alaska’s glaciated mountains. You’ll learn things such as belaying, anchors, 

rope systems, crevasse rescue, and ice climbing techniques while practicing basic 

glacier camping and travel. Crossing vast fields of snow and ice in rope teams will require 

using the clear judgment, technical know-how, and decision-making skills that you have 

honed all semester. 

DETAILS 

SUMMER 






62 


ALASKA 


63

YUKON 

Ashley Wise

The Yukon Territory is an undiscovered wilderness paradise with little development, few people, and pristine backcountry. 

Located in the far northwest of Canada, this territory encompasses almost 500,000 square kilometers of pure, 

untouched wilderness and you’ll have access to it from our base in Whitehorse, dubbed “The Wilderness City” and 

capital of the Yukon. This northern paradise of wild, technical rivers and sweeping tundra begs exploration. During the 

summer, the land explodes from its winter months of darkness for a season of continuous daylight. In this Land of the 

Midnight Sun, you’ll share the wilderness with caribou, bear, wolf, moose, and migrating birds. The only trails you’ll 

follow are those made by the wildlife and likely the only people you’ll see are your fellow coursemates. Whether you call 

Canada home or you’re traveling from abroad, the Yukon’s stunning rivers and little-used mountain ranges provide the 

ideal setting for a wilderness adventure. The NOLS Yukon experience is one you won’t want to miss. 

YUKON 

Rivers are the highways and canoes are the vehicles in the Yukon's untrammeled 

wilderness. Hess River 


AND WILDERNESS CANOEING 

Take full advantage of the remote, pristine Yukon wilderness on this 

self-supported 30-day expedition. This course is perfect for students 

wanting to develop two distinct skills—hiking and canoeing—be out 

for a month without re-supply, and get the quintessential Yukon experience. 

With the diverse, captivating terrain, you’ll be able to focus 

on developing the skills to lead your peers in small groups. With all of 

your supplies for the month packed into a canoe, you’ll experience true 

expedition river travel with weeklong backpacking loops that provide 

incredible views of the wild Yukon peaks and spectacular ridge walks. 

You may even catch a glimpse of bear or caribou or get to experience 

the world-class fly-fishing. After this combo course, you’ll come home 

an excellent camper and leader with an unparalleled appreciation for 

Canada’s history and environment. 

DETAILS 






Steve Javorski 


Roam through the Yukon’s expansive and trail-less wilderness of 

forest and mountains. This is the perfect training ground for mastering 

camping and traveling skills as well as for developing leadership 

skills and teamwork. You’ll explore and learn in the Yukon’s 

wild and remote mountain ranges, where you’ll climb far above 

tree line for awe-inspiring views. You’ll enjoy untapped fly-fishing 

and spin fishing in wild rivers and clear alpine lakes. Hiking here 

can be hard work, but the rewards of endless ridges and open tundra 

are well worth the effort. After just 30 days, you’ll come home 

with the skills and know-how to lead your own backpacking trips, 

although you’ll always long for the freedom of the Yukon. 

DETAILS 






YUKON OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: 

BACKPACKING AND WHITEWATER CANOEING 

This 30-day expedition for practicing and aspiring outdoor educators 

combines the skills of wilderness backpacking with northern whitewater 

canoeing in Canada’s Yukon Territory. A remote Yukon mountain 

range is the perfect classroom for developing the skills of the backcountry 

professional. You’ll find an abundance of mountain wildlife amidst 

the alpine wildflowers and chest-high forests of dwarf birch and willow. 

While learning the hiking and camping skills needed to manage 

groups in the remote backcountry, you’ll also spend time on technical 

canoeing skills, teaching techniques, and river rescue concepts. After a 

month in the rugged mountains and on the river, you’ll have a powerful 

set of water and mountain skills for future professional and personal 

adventures in the backcountry. 

DETAILS 


Eligibility: Qualified practicing or potential outdoor educators 


Optional College Credit: 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 2 hours Risk Management, 



Facing page: NOLS Yukon students are true explorers, visiting isolated wilderness 

few people have ever seen. Ogilvie Mountains 

65


Yukon 

AN ACTION-PACKED LEARNING ADVENTURE, 

this semester begins and ends in Whitehorse, 

Yukon Territory, Canada, and is one of our most 

unique wilderness leadership programs. It takes 

place entirely in Canada’s North Country, where 

remote, wild land stands unparalleled. For 76 

days your expedition will explore the wilds of the 

Yukon with a backpack, canoe, and rope team, 

seeing few people along the way. In fact, with a 

ratio of six caribou and one moose to every Yukon 

resident and a grizzly bear to every Yukon 

family of four, you’re more likely to share this vast 

wilderness with animals than with humans. 

Along your route, you will fish, cross unnamed 

rivers, summit unnamed peaks, and 

explore the same areas as turn-of-the-century 

gold seekers. After this semester, you’ll be a 

comfortable traveler in the backcountry with 

unmatched technical expeditionary skills in 

backpacking and whitewater canoeing, as 

well as glacier, snow, and ice mountaineering. 

Roo Riley 

The cross-bow draw is a difficult stroke that your NOLS 

instructors will be sure to help you master. Hess River 

Facing page: Get your feet wet with NOLS: Fording 

rivers is sometimes the only way to get from point A to 

point B. Tributary of the Chilkat River 

Leader-of-the-day opportunities allow students to think independently and implement the skills they have learned. 

Coast Mountains 

BACKPACKING From our base in Whitehorse, you’ll embark on the first phase of your 

adventure: a backpacking section through the river valleys, alpine tundra, and boreal forests 

of the Yukon Territory. You’ll move up remote mountain valleys, planning routes and 

choosing campsites. You’ll learn camping and travel skills pertaining to bear country—and 

a metric tonne about being comfortable outdoors—while traveling through alpine meadows 

and tundra and bushwhacking through trees and over passes in all kinds of weather. 

MOUNTAINEERING What you learn about mountain weather, leadership, and route finding 

on the backpacking section will prepare you to face the high glaciers on the mountaineering 

section. The Yukon’s mountains are an ideal classroom for learning technical mountaineering 

skills such as negotiating rocky mountain passes, icefalls, and glaciers. You’ll 

climb stunning peaks while learning rope-team, crampon, and other techniques to move 

over snow, ice, and rock terrain. 

WHITEWATER CANOEING The Yukon provides some of the best whitewater expeditioning 

in the world. For over three weeks, you’ll learn all the skills necessary to effectively 

paddle a variety rivers, including assessing, running, lining, and portaging rapids; river 

rescue techniques; and river management and navigation. As your technical maneuvers 

improve, you’ll be polishing your backcountry and leadership skills while you explore and 

live under the midnight sun. 

DETAILS 

SUMMER 







66 


YUKON 


67

MEXICO 

Para 

información 

en español, 

visítenos en 

www.nols.mx 

TC Rammelkamp 

68 


Imagine a land of stark contrasts: ocean and desert, cactus and pine, teeming seas and sparse shores. This is the Baja 

Peninsula, a land of unique wilderness opportunity. NOLS Mexico is the home of our ocean-based programs where you 

can learn how to sea kayak and sail as well as backpack. You’ll learn about the rich diversity of this marine ecosystem, 

about the whales and sea birds and fish that call this place home. There will also be occasion to interact with the people 

of Baja California. We provide educational opportunities for local educators, students, and land managers, as well as 

financial aid and scholarships for NOLS courses in both Spanish and English. We have a long-standing partnership 

with the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, collaborating with their departments of marine biology, geology, 

and alternative tourism. We have been off-the-grid in Coyote Bay near Mulegé in central Baja for over 30 years, 

and our high-tech, low-impact facility was specifically designed to meet the needs of our students. 

MEXICO 

Abe Goodale 

Alex Plank 

The Drascombe Longboat is the perfect venue to learn how to sail and develop as a 

team. Coyote Bay 

With personal coaching from your NOLS instructors you'll master surf landings and 

more. La Zorra Beach, San Nicholas Bay 

BAJA COASTAL SAILING 

A NOLS sailing course will get you well on your way to sailing on 

your own and being a competent crew member. You’ll be aboard a 

unique yawl-rigged open boat, the Drascombe Longboat, which is a 

light, maneuverable craft perfect for learning sailing basics, exploring 

shallow coves, or hauling onto desert beaches. You’ll learn coastal 

navigation on waters rich with marine life, from intricate sea fans to 

raucous sea lions. This course follows nature’s rhythms, so you may 

find yourself up before dawn or sailing until dusk to take advantage 

of a favorable breeze. There are bound to be some long, challenging 

days on the water, but there should also be time to wonder at the 

night sky or at the sea stars in a tidal pool. You’ll learn to read winds 

and waves with confidence, work as a crew with your coursemates, 

and on windless days, practice rowing and towing. The boat will 

be your home on the water, but you’ll also practice Leave No Trace 

camping on shore in this unique desert that greets the sea. 

DETAILS 



Optional Optional College Credit: 2 hours Risk Management, 2 hours Leadership 

Techniques 


Facing Page: Running with the wind, these students enjoy the ride. Isla San Marcos 

BAJA SEA KAYAKING 

Baja Sea Kayaking has it all—technical skills, incredible scenery, 

leadership practice, and unique opportunities for cultural exchanges. 

On this course you’ll navigate the Sea of Cortez, carrying 

everything you need for your journey inside the hull of your 

sea kayak. Your instructors will teach you how to maneuver this 

craft onto remote beaches surrounded by cliffs and how to handle 

the boat when waves and winds pick up. On land, you’ll practice 

cooking, Leave No Trace camping, and maybe some beginning 

Spanish. Free diving is a special part of this course, and you’ll often 

spend afternoons exploring coastal reefs and the vast array of 

multi-colored fish that inhabit them. You may even have the opportunity 

to enjoy the catch of the day from local fishermen. By 

the end of your expedition, you’ll walk away with the ability to 

lead your own sea kayaking adventure and an appreciation for this 

dramatic Mexican coastline. 

DETAILS 





Optional College Credit: 2 hours each Environmental Ethics, Leadership Techniques 

(16 & Over); 2 hours Skills Practicum (23 & Over) 


69

SEMESTER IN 

Baja 

FLANKED BY THE PACIFIC OCEAN ON THE 

west and the Sea of Cortez on the east, the 

Baja California Peninsula is a land of extremes 

and contrasts. Granite and volcanic mountain 

ranges extend over 1,000 miles down the peninsula’s 

central spine, and Picacho del Diablo, 

a 10,126-foot peak in the northern mountains, 

is snow-covered in winter months. The rest 

of Baja California, while still very rugged and 

mountainous, is Sonoran Desert country, receiving 

less than 10 inches of rainfall each 

year. Here exists an amazing variety of desert 

life, including more than 110 species of cacti. 

For three months, you’ll explore these contrasting 

environments on foot, in a sea kayak, and 

under sail while having ample opportunities for 

cultural and Spanish language interactions with 

local students, educators, ranchers, and fishermen. 

You will learn the skills you need to visit 

these ecosystems and communities comfortably 

and responsibly in the future. 

Group dynamics are an integral part of any expedition. Your NOLS course will concentrate on team building and 

communication that will help you achieve group goals. Baja California Sur 

BACKPACKING Starting with Leave No Trace camping, route selection, map reading, 

risk management, and hazard evaluation, your backpacking section takes you deep into 

the desert and mountains of beautiful Mexico. Classes include discussions on group 

dynamics, leadership, geology, wildlife identification, and maybe some informal Spanish 

instruction. 

SAILING Your mode of travel for this section will be a 22-foot Drascombe Longboat, 

which lets you explore remote coves that larger sailing vessels can’t reach. You’ll move 

along the coastline, camping on shore at night and hoisting sail during the day. Expect to 

learn coastal navigation, teamwork, seamanship, anchoring, sail trim, line handling, and 

steering, as well as snorkeling and diving to check out fish and your anchors! 

Leia Berg 

SEA KAYAKING Along with learning coastal kayaking skills like navigation, rolling, surfing, 

and paddle strokes, you’ll focus on free diving skills and water risk management. Desert 

natural history classes happen when the sea is too rough for travel. Some semesters make 

an open water crossing to explore the uninhabited islands of the Gulf of California. 


Smile and soak in the warm brine air of Mexico's northern 

coasts. Baja California Sur 

Facing page: ¡Ay carambaaaa! Cultural interactions 

abound on international NOLS semesters. Estuche 

CULTURE Throughout your semester you’ll learn about Baja’s culture and history, gaining 

insight into the diversity of lifestyles of Baja residents—sometimes en español! Opportunities 

include visits with local staff during course preparation, travel to remote fishing 

villages like San Nicolás, tortilla-making classes with ranchero families high in the Sierra, 

and exchanges with the local university community. 







70 


MEXICO 


71

PATAGONIA 

Kyle Hammons 

72 


Patagonia is a remote wilderness of isolated mountain valleys, ragged icy peaks, turbulent rivers, and island archipelagos. 

This is a land that demands exploration, and you will experience firsthand its dramatic landscape. In the Aisen 

Region of Chile, our main base is a working farm of several hundred acres near the city of Coyhaique. We do all of 

the planning and logistics to make your expedition into the wilderness an educational experience that lasts a lifetime. 

NOLS is an important contributor to the outdoor community in this region as well, offering specialized courses for 

Chilean educators and students, teaching No Deje Rastro (Leave No Trace), outdoor skills, and leadership. The hallmarks 

of a NOLS Patagonia course are remoteness, fickle weather, and exploration. Patagonia has mountains that have 

never been climbed and valleys populated by pobladores (subsistence ranchers). The conditions in this part of the world 

are extreme, but they are perfect for fine-tuning your outdoor skills and leadership traits. 

PATAGONIA 

Dane Sherstad 

Rich Brame 

Teamwork is central to success in the Patagonian mountains. Northern Patagonian Ice Field 

Master the cast and then go after those Patagonian browns. Rio Baker 

PATAGONIA MOUNTAINEERING 

The Patagonian Andes are the site of your mountaineering expedition. 

Among the peaks, expansive rivers, and thick coastal rain 

forests, you’ll learn the techniques of alpine big-glacier mountaineering 

and camping in challenging weather. You’ll develop all the 

skills necessary to carry out remote expeditions and explore rugged 

and little-traveled mountain terrain. Teamwork, motivation, leadership, 

and communication are critical components of the course, 

as are meticulous glacier travel, hazard evaluation, and technical 

ropework. This course will offer you the challenges of unknown 

terrain and fierce Andean weather, preparing you for travel in any 

mountain area in the world. 

DETAILS 



Optional College Credit: 2 hours Leadership Techniques, 2 hours Skills Practicum, 2 

hours Risk Management 


PATAGONIA BACKPACKING AND FLY-FISHING 

For a backcountry expedition that combines scenic hiking and 

unique culture with excellent fly-fishing, come to NOLS Patagonia. 

The fundamental travel and expedition skills that are the hallmark 

of a NOLS experience are coupled with a tailored fly-fishing 

progression based on students’ individual knowledge and experience. 

Whether you are picking up a fly rod for the first time or have 

been fishing for years, you will the find wild brown and rainbow 

trout in our pristine lakes and streams an experience to remember. 

NOLS provides a rural-remote, self-sufficient, educational expedition 

in an area renown for its culture and beauty. 

DETAILS 





Facing page: Put traditional education on ice when you learn in this classroom. 

Glacier Soler 

73

SEMESTER IN 

Patagonia 

Pod up! Work together to navigate to the next take-out. Canal Martinez 

Kyle Hammons 

DEEMED ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING 

NOLS courses, the Semester in Patagonia has 

strong leadership outcomes on account of adapting 

to and operating in harsh weather. Teamwork, 

communication, and problem solving are critical 

to the success of this expedition. You begin your 

semester in Coyhaique, Chile, for five days of wilderness 

first aid training and expedition preparation 

before stepping into the backcountry for 75 

days. Once on this unique continuous expedition, 

your transition between sections includes swapping 

gear in the field with another Patagonia semester 

group on an opposite route. 

You’ll hike and camp in Patagonia’s valleys 

and mountains and sea kayak in breathtaking 

archipelagos, stopping to visit with locals along 

the way. The grand finale of this remote adventure 

is the extended student expedition, when you 

and a small group of your peers earn the privilege 

of planning and traveling a route on your own. 


A shared cup of maté warms the soul and always brings 

out smiles. A campo near Rio Baker 

Facing page: Cramponing on dry glacier is just one 

of many skills you'll learn on your Patagonia semester. 

Glacier Soler 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) Before embarking into the field, you and your coursemates 

will receive a 20-hour WFA training taught by staff of the Wilderness Medicine 

Institute of NOLS. Fast paced and hands-on, this three-day course covers a wide range of 

wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors. 

MOUNTAIN TRAVEL You’ll move up remote mountain valleys, plan daily routes, and 

choose campsites. Early in the course, your instructors will lead you, helping you to read 

maps, find routes, and judge and evaluate hazards. They will then step back incrementally 

until you find yourself in charge. Some days you’ll be named “leader of the day” and be 

responsible for a small group of your fellow coursemates. Depending on the weather and 

how your entire group is progressing, you may have a chance to cross glaciers and work on 

such skills as tying knots, handling ropes, and ice climbing. 

SEA KAYAKING Most of Chile is off the beaten path for world travelers, and the island 

chains of the southern part of the country are no exception. You’ll learn about the dynamic 

environment of the region, strong currents, tidal fluctuations, and fickle weather. 

Instruction will include paddling techniques, rescue skills, route planning, and coastal 

weather patterns. You’ll also study the natural history of the area while you continue to 

hone your leadership and communication skills. 

STUDENT EXPEDITION After you’ve successfully completed the previous three sections, 

you’ll move into the student expedition. Typically, groups of four to six students travel 

without immediate instructor supervision for a 7- to 10-day hike through the wilds of 

Patagonia. Before setting out, and under the supervision of your instructors, your group 

will craft a travel plan, work out a proposed route, and get ready to use and refine what 

you’ve learned over the past months. 







74 


PATAGONIA 


75

YEAR IN 

Patagonia 

THIS IS IT—THE LONGEST COURSE TYPE 

at NOLS. This extended expedition packs in 

outdoor skills, wilderness certifications, and 

international culture to create an unparalleled 

adventure. From mountain travel on remote 

peaks to sea kayaking along Patagonia’s archipelagos 

and rock climbing at the foot of the 

Andes, the components of this course form a 

When in Chile....have a traditional feast! Students enjoy an asado with a local rancher. Valley of Rio Canal 


comprehensive backcountry immersion. 

With a strong focus on Spanish language 

and cultural interaction, the Patagonia Year 

allows you to spend one section living and 

working with local poblador families. Along 

with developing an appreciation of Patagonian 

culture, you’ll also see more of this region’s remote 

and breathtaking scenery than most visitors. 

Also, the course offers certifications for 

students interested in outdoor careers around 

the world, including Leave No Trace Master 

certification and Wilderness First Responder. 

BACKPACKING In order to have a successful year, it is essential to build a foundation of both 

technical and interpersonal skills. This first section of the year gives you a chance to focus on 

getting the basics down so you can expand to more advanced skills in the following months. 

SERVICE PROJECT You will participate in a backcountry service project that will positively 

contribute to the care of the land. This project will focus on land stewardship and 

will range from two to four days in length. 

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER (WFR) As part of your comprehensive wilderness 

education, the Year in Patagonia includes an 80-hour WFR course taught by staff of the 

Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS. 

MOUNTAINEERING The large glaciers and rarely climbed peaks of the Patagonian Andes 

will be your classroom for this section. Alpine mountaineering techniques and how to live 

and camp in a harsh-weather Andean environment are parts of the curriculum. 

SEA KAYAKING The fjords of southern Chile offer breathtaking scenery and changing 

weather. Your expedition into this region will include lessons in navigation, paddling techniques, 

rescue skills, planning routes, and Patagonia’s natural history. 

CULTURE During this section you’ll live on mountain campos with poblador families, 

helping them with the daily chores of subsistence living. This is your chance to further 

develop your language skills while fully experiencing the extraordinary Patagonian culture. 

ROCK CLIMBING You’ll set up a base camp for your rock climbing experience at the foot 

of the Andes. It begins with a foundation of skills such as climbing techniques, knot craft, 

belaying, rappelling, and bouldering. As you progress we will focus on more advanced 

topics such as anchor construction, belay escapes, and gear selection. If you are ready, and 

weather permits, there will be opportunities for multi-pitch and lead climbing. 


Hazard assessment is an important skill on technical terrain 

and back in town. Cerro Largo 

Facing page: Explore stunning Chilean peaks and pristine 

mountain lakes. Lago General Carrera 

STUDENT EXPEDITION Typically, groups of four to six students travel without immediate 

instructor supervision for an 8- to 10-day hike through the wilds of Patagonia. Your 

group will craft a travel plan and work out a proposed route in order to practice what 

you’ve learned over the past months. 

DETAILS 

ACADEMIC YEAR 

Age and Length: 18 & Over • Average age: 21 • Duration: 135 days; 67 days (fall), 68 days (spring) 



Skills Practicum, 4 hours Risk Management, 2 hours Expedition Planning, 2 hours Outdoor Educator, 3 hours WFR 


76 


PATAGONIA 

Kika Bradford 

77

AMAZON 

Dalio Zippin Neto 

78 


Adventure and challenge in the wildest place on earth. NOLS Amazon demands commitment and hard work. Based in 

the state of Mato Grosso in southcentral Brazil, we are located in a transition zone between the two largest biomes of the 

country, the dry forest and savannah of the southern uplands known as the cerrado and the moist lowland forests of the 

Amazon Basin. Our location puts us in a good position to access some of largest tributaries of the Amazon River, and these 

rivers provide ideal corridors for wilderness and wildlife exploration. Our courses offer opportunities for real expedition 

adventure, including remoteness from civilization and the challenges of self-care in the tropical forest. As well as its natural 

diversity, Brazil also has a diverse and fascinating human culture. The Amazon region is still frontier country. Its inhabitants 

have a fascinating way of life that we are privileged to sometimes share, and we are pleased to be collaborating with 

land management agencies in Brazil as a pioneer in outdoor education in this region. Come explore with us. 

AMAZON 

Atila Rego-Monteiro 

Solid communication and trust in your coursemates help to successfully navigate the jungle’s river corridors. Rio Juruena 

NEW 

AMAZON BASIN RIVER EXPEDITION 

This 40-day course offers a classic expedition experience on one 

of the large southern tributaries of the Amazon River. Beginning 

at our base in the dry upland forests where the river has its source, 

you will transition through a variety of tropical environments 

as you travel north to the equator and the rain forest. The 

journey is done in canoes and the river offers both a flat-water 

and whitewater component. In addition to the core NOLS 

curriculum, natural history and technical canoe skills will receive 

special emphasis. Heat and humidity, insects, and the remoteness 

from modern infrastructures are some of the particular challenges 

of an expedition in the Amazon Basin, but we will teach you 

the basics of self-care that will enable you to survive and thrive 

in this environment. There are also excellent opportunities for 

interactions with the people who lead subsistence lifestyles on 

the banks of the river. Your whole visit to Brazil will be rich in 

cultural experience and diversity. Come see the Amazon and 

have the adventure of a lifetime on a real expedition! 

DETAILS 






Land the canoes. It’s class time in the Amazon Basin. Rio Juruena 

Facing page: The Amazon is the perfect place for students to learn about forest ecology 

and environmental ethics. Sumauma, Rio Juruena National Park 


79


Amazon 

THIS SEMESTER IS AN EXPEDITION THROUGH 

the southern part of the Amazon Basin. You 

will experience the natural environment—the 

diverse forest types and their myriad insects, 

birds, and mammals—as well as the fascinating 

culture of some of the people who live there. 

The Amazon region is an incredibly beautiful 

part of the world but a highly challenging place 

to travel through. For 80 days you’ll explore 

a variety of environments that transition from 

dry upland forests known as the cerrado, to the 

lowland rain forest closer to the equator. You 

will see the southern sources of the Amazon 

River in the highlands and also travel by canoe 

on some of the huge lowland clear-water 

tributaries. If you crave a remote, extended, and 

demanding tropical expedition that enables you 

to visit part of the Amazon Basin, this unique 

NOLS program is the best option. 


Discover Amazon culture as you engage with locals in 

day-to-day tasks. Rio Madeira 

Facing page: Experience the raw power of the Amazon 

watershed up close and personal. Serra Ricardo Franco 

A river ecology class is more meaningful, and cooler, when you’re actually in the river. Rio Juruena National Park 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) The first few days of your course will be spent learning 

first aid at the NOLS Amazon base before leaving on your expedition. Being 

oriented to the various health concerns of the tropics and practicing good hygiene are 

part of our basic curriculum. 

AMAZON RIVER TRAVEL The Juruena River in the state of Mato Grosso is our river of 

choice and canoes are our mode of transportation. You’ll begin this section by practicing 

paddling and other travel skills on flat water for seven days before entering areas of 

the river with more rapids. There are cultural experiences along the way with chances 

to visit remote subsistence communities and meet people who make a living along the 

river. This is where you will experience the classic style of Amazon Basin river travel 

as you hone your paddling skills and learn both tropical and river risk management 

while negotiating rapids one day and paddling long stretches of still water the next. 

BACKPACKING There are two hiking sections during which you will practice backpacking 

skills and land navigation: one in the Brazilian Highlands on the southern 

rim of the Amazon Basin and another in the lowland rain forest. Each of the areas 

offers different learning opportunities. On hiking sections, occasions for small group 

travel and independent student expeditions are possible. 

CULTURE The Amazon Basin’s biodiversity is matched only by the cultural diversity 

of its inhabitants. Locals live off the land and use the rivers as their main avenue of 

transport. During your semester you will spend time with caboclos, seringueiros, and 

other inhabitants of the Amazon backcountry in their communities as you travel by 

foot, canoe, voadeira (a small dugout canoe with an outboard), and riverboat. Our 

options include staying with local families, contributing to community projects, and 

visiting isolated riverside communities. 

DETAILS 

FALL 







80 


AMAZON 

Mario Friedlander 

81

INDIA 


82 


Dev Bhoomi, called “The Abode of the Gods,” is a land steeped in culture, history, and mythology. It is the setting for some 

of NOLS’ most culturally oriented courses. You will explore the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of India—places of staggering 

beauty, high ranges, and ancient civilizations. The holy river Ganga (Ganges) is born in these mountains, and some of 

the trails here are the oldest trade routes between India and Tibet. Our base is in the mountain town of Ranikhet in the state 

of Uttarakhand, a peaceful rural haven with spectacular views of the Himalayas where you will acclimatize before heading 

for the high country. On our courses, there is at least one Indian NOLS field instructor, and you’ll benefit from this person’s 

extensive knowledge of the region and its human and natural history. You will get a complete introduction to the languages, 

myths, cultures, and wild beauty of this country. You’ll hike through subtropical forests and high alpine meadows, attaining 

heights you never thought possible—both in elevation and in what you are able to achieve as a NOLS student. 

INDIA 



Class time. What will it be today —Hindi, leadership, meteorology, or first aid? The 

NOLS syllabus is packed. Ralam Valley 

With a history of famed ascents and unmatched beauty it is easy to see why India is a 

popular NOLS location for learning mountaineering. Pindari Valley 

HIMALAYA BACKPACKING 

The Kumaon and Eastern Garhwal regions of the Indian Himalaya 

are rugged glacially carved ranges world famous as destinations 

for climbing and trekking. Long ago, these low-lying valleys 

provided traditional trade routes between India and Tibet. 

You’ll make your way up high mountain passes, some reaching 

15,000 feet above sea level, and travel through river valleys lush 

with foliage. You’ll visit teahouses and hike past fields that are 

still worked with water buffalo. You’ll accumulate backcountry 

skills and learn the core NOLS curriculum while experiencing 

the land and culture on a staggering scale. All the while, your 

cultural studies and classes in conversational Hindi will aid in 

your interactions with local villagers. You’ll go beyond the normal 

parameters of tourist treks and see an India that few foreigners 

ever encounter, deep into the remote Himalayan wilderness. 

DETAILS 






HIMALAYA MOUNTAINEERING 

The remote and spectacular Kumaon region in the state of Uttarakhand 

is the setting for this high-altitude mountaineering 

course. In these surroundings, you’ll learn how to carry out an 

international expedition, focusing on topics such as expedition 

planning, cultural awareness, high altitude physiology, and 

mountaineering skills. Beginning your trek into the mountains 

at 5,500 feet, you’ll travel on trails through forests and 

small villages, interacting with the local people. Taking advantage 

of non-moving days to learn the technical skills necessary 

to move higher in an alpine environment, this course has the 

potential for camping as high as 18,000 feet. The breathtaking 

scenery, variety of terrain and travel, and tremendous opportunities 

for cultural interactions are what make this a once-in-alifetime 

experience. 

DETAILS 




2 hours Risk Management, 2 hours Leadership Techniques 


Facing page: Explore the amazing Himalaya and indulge yourself in big wilderness 

on a NOLS India course. Milam Valley 

83

SEMESTER IN 

India 

TOUCH DOWN IN THE ANCIENT WORLD OF 

the Himalayas and prepare for a semester 

packed with unparalleled language and cultural 

opportunities in one of the most breathtaking 

backcountry classrooms in the world. The Himalayas, 

or “Abode of Snow,” swing in a wide 

arc across four countries and are home to both 

Everest and K2. Your Semester in India begins 

at NOLS Pacific Northwest in Conway, Washington, 

to prepare rations and gear before flying 

to New Delhi. A bus ride through the plains of 

northern India to the mountain town of Ranikhet 

in Uttarakhand will deliver you to the NOLS 

base, located in an idyllic setting at 6,500 feet 

in the foothills of the Himalaya. From here, you 

will travel through the valleys of the Kumaon 

and Garhwal regions where the thick conifer 

and broad-leaf trees of the lower altitudes turn 

to evergreens, rhododendron, and juniper forests 

in the high ridges and shrubs, grasses, and 

wildflowers in the alpine zone. 

TC Rammelkamp 

Whitewater rafting and Hindu religion mesh on the holy 

river Ganges. Rishikesh 

Facing page: Find time to reflect on your NOLS experience 

and how it will impact the rest of your life. 

Milam Valley 

Discover India’s wilderness on foot, including remote villages and farms amidst the hills and high peaks. Kathi Village, 

Pindari Valley 

WILDERNESS ADVANCED FIRST AID (WAFA) While in Ranikhet, you’ll experience 

rural mountain life while you receive your WAFA certification through the Wilderness 

Medicine Institute of NOLS. This 40-hour course focuses on injury stabilization, treatment, 

and evacuation guidelines of patients in backcountry environments. 

WHITEWATER RAFTING This 12-day section is based in the area around Rishikesh, one 

of the holiest places for Hindus and home to many of their rituals and mythology. You 

will begin rafting on the holy Ganges River as you hone paddling fundamentals. Once 

your skills advance and you begin to “read” the water, you’ll be ready for a few multiday 

expeditions where you will learn to be paddle captain and row an oar raft. 

CULTURE The village of Kalika, a tiny hamlet at 6,000 feet near the town of Ranikhet, 

will be the hub for these ten days. Pairing up with a fellow coursemate, you will participate 

in a homestay to experience firsthand what it takes to live in remote, rural India. You will be 

engaged in domestic chores and eat meals with your host family. Group classes will include 

subjects such as landscapes, forest use and farming as a means of livelihood, and yoga. You 

will travel to learn about local food products, economy, and alpine ecology, as well as to visit 

Gandhi Ashram, a national monument to the Indian independence movement. 

MILAM VALLEY BACKPACKING The Milam (Johar) Valley was once the trade route 

between India and Tibet. You’ll travel in those traders’ footsteps over high altitude passes, 

through remote villages, and across lush river valleys and flower-strewn meadows, all with 

alpine glaciers in the distance. 

STUDENT EXPEDITION Your semester will culminate in India’s Pindari Valley with 

an opportunity for a student expedition, a chance to apply with a small group of your 

coursemates all the skills you have learned over the past months. Although groups will 

travel without the immediate supervision of your instructors, you will work closely with 

them to craft a travel plan, work out a proposed route, and plan for contingencies. Independent 

student group travel is typically 7 to 10 days in length and is a reward for 

working hard throughout your entire semester. 








84 


INDIA 


85

AUSTRALIA 

Jen Klewitz 

86 


It’s name alone—Australia —brings to mind unusual wildlife and wide-open space, flora found nowhere else on Earth, 

friendly people, and different cultures. The Land Down Under is a wild continent of waterfalls and crocodiles, of adventure 

and exploration. Our headquarters is located in Broome, a community of less than 25,000 that was founded in the 

1880s as a hub of the pearling industry. Since 1996 we’ve concentrated our explorations from Broome to northwestern Australia, 

in places like the Kimberley and the Pilbara that are characterized by dramatic landscapes and intense colors, vast 

plains, ancient mountains, huge tidal rivers, and breathtaking gorges. You’ll never tire of the unique beauty of either place 

but you will discover their remoteness, learning from your instructors and enjoying the opportunity to explore a landscape 

not known to many. We are also honored to be able to collaborate with local Aboriginal groups, from whom our students 

have fantastic opportunities to learn about different ways of life. NOLS Australia is an adventure and an experience. 

AUSTRALIA 

Leslie Palotas 

Jen Klewitz 

NOLS has been exploring the Australian outback by foot, canoe, and sea kayak for 

more than 14 years. Dampier Archipelago 

Hiking past a classic Australian billabong, a watering hole to native plants and animals 

endemic to the Land Down Under. The Kimberley 

AUSTRALIA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING 

Western Australia has it all: rugged plateaus, blue waters, and 

white sandy beaches. You’ll begin your sea kayaking adventure 

in the waters surrounding the Dampier Archipelago, where 

you’ll have plenty of opportunity for learning sea kayaking 

skills, exploring the marine ecosystem, and discovering the 

area’s rich human history, which includes the most prolific Aboriginal 

petroglyph site in the world. You’ll backpack either in 

the Kimberley or Pilbara, both offering ideal terrain to explore 

the Australian outback. The Kimberley has tight canyons, secluded 

waterfalls, and plateaus, while the Pilbara has escarpments, 

deep basalt gorges, and cool oases. Western Australia is 

home to a variety of exotic wildlife, it can be rugged, and it is 

hot here, but the natural history and unique Australian setting 

will give you an unparalleled NOLS education. 

DETAILS 






Facing page: Learning map reading skills is crucial in the vast interior of the Australian 

bush. Drysdale National Park 

AUSTRALIA BACKPACKING 

The rich cultural history, subtropical habitats, and ancient land 

formations of the Kimberley make this part of Western Australia 

ideal for a backpacking expedition. Among tight canyons, dry 

plateaus, and secluded waterfalls, you’ll be challenged by this 

land of extremes, where days can be hot and nights cool, and 

explore areas very few people have ever seen. You’ll navigate 

through woodlands of gum trees and cane grass one moment and 

hike to the top of an escarpment the next. You’ll see crocodiles, 

kangaroos, wallabies, geckos, and birds, including cockatoos, 

kookaburras, and honeyeaters. You’ll also learn about the Aboriginal 

culture by spending a couple of days with our Aboriginal 

guides, discovering their traditional and contemporary lifestyles. 

Through informative classes and discussions, interaction with 

our guides, and travel through local cattle stations, you’ll leave 

this course with a new understanding of the rich and diverse natural 

and cultural history of the Kimberley and Australia. 

DETAILS 






87

SEMESTER IN 

Australia 

AUSTRALIAN SEMESTERS ARE EXPEDITIONS 

of discovery in a land of great contrasts. The 

spring semester consists of canoeing, backpacking 

and cultural sections. For 75 days, you’ll travel 

as a group through northwestern Australia’s Kimberley 

region, a place so remote you’ll get there 

by four-wheel drive vehicle or light plane, and 

you won’t return to civilization until the semester 

ends. The 68-day summer semester includes 

first-aid, backpacking, sea kayaking, and cultural 

sections, where you’ll explore the Kimberley and 

the Pilbara regions, learning how to be comfortable 

in both bush and marine environments. 

You’ll see crocodiles, kangaroos, wallabies, 

and kookaburras, as well as huge termite mounds. 

Both semesters spend time on the coast, spotting 

sea turtles, reef fish, coral and other marine animals. 

The uniqueness of Australia’s natural surroundings 

makes this an ideal place for you to 

challenge yourself, learn, and have fun. 

Jen Klewitz 

Learning Bardi crafts and culture is a highlight for NOLS 

Australia students. Sunday Island 

Facing page: Quiet stretches of river will give you time 

to appreciate the unique scenery of the region. Drysdale 

River, The Kimberley 

Spending a semester in Australia’s sun-soaked land is the perfect time to learn outdoor skills, environmental ethics, 

and leadership. King Leopold Range, The Kimberley 

BACKPACKING Your backpacking section will be in the Kimberley, in areas that offer 

everything from gorges and grasslands to billabongs (watering holes) and waterfalls. You’ll 

learn about the local cattle stations and how to backpack effectively in this hot, dry environment. 

You may also get the opportunity for a student expedition, hiking close by, yet 

independent of, your instructors. 

CULTURE For a week of your semester you’ll have an opportunity to explore the Bardi 

Aboriginal homelands, studying marine ecology and learning Bardi crafts and traditions 

like boomerang and spear making, or visit another local Aboriginal community, like Jarlmadangah, 

learning about their traditional and contemporary lifestyles. 

CANOEING (spring only) During this five-week section, you’ll travel through the heart 

of the Kimberley, both by canoe and on foot. You’ll paddle and portage your boat and gear 

down the Drysdale River, one of the most remote rivers in the world, while you learn the 

intricacies of canoe travel and develop your leadership style. You’ll also take exploratory 

day hikes into the wilderness. 

SEA KAYAKING (summer only) You’ll begin your sea kayaking adventure in the waters 

surrounding the Dampier Archipelago, a group of 42 rocky islands offering scrubby eucalyptus 

valleys and isolated coral reefs. Here you’ll have the opportunity to learn sea kayaking 

skills, explore the colorful marine ecosystem, and visit the most prolific Aboriginal 

petroglyph site in the world. 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) (summer only) Hosted by the Wilderness Medicine 

Institute of NOLS, this 16-hour section covers first aid specific to wilderness emergencies 

and is essential for anyone spending extended time in the outdoors. 

DETAILS SPRING SUMMER 

Age and Length: 18 & Over • Average age: 20 • Duration: 75 days (spring); 68 days (summer) 

Tuition: $13,870 (spring); $11,500 (summer) 




Jen Klewitz 

88 


AUSTRALIA 

Jen Klewitz 

89

NEW ZEALAND 


90 


New Zealand is a land of contrasts. The South Island’s west coast drips with rain. Its forests are dense with tree ferns and 

towering podocarps, ancient remnants of conifer forests that existed when New Zealand was part of a gigantic continent 

called Gondwonaland. On the eastern side of the island, in the rain shadow of the Southern Alps, the hills are brown in 

late summer and backcountry travel is often across open slopes covered with tussocks of grass or through beech forests that 

smell like honey. Raw and young, this landscape is steep and rugged and its weather is capricious. You can go from hot sun 

in the morning, to cold winds, rain, and snow in the afternoon. We leave behind the tourist routes and plunge deep into the 

forests or climb high up into remote alpine areas. Some courses float down its rivers or explore its coastlines, experiencing the 

country’s rich marine life—whales, dolphins, and seals—and its wide variety of endemic birds. New Zealand is a dramatic 

place that engages your senses, challenges you physically and mentally, and promises to give you the adventure of a lifetime. 

NEW ZEALAND 

Alice Hill 

Maori culture, leadership classes, and mountaineering: The NOLS syllabus is packed with excitement. Maruia Valley 

NEW 

NEW ZEALAND BACKPACKING 

New for 2011, New Zealand’s 30-day backpacking course takes 

you into the South Island’s rugged interior: a land of mountains, 

rivers, waterfalls, tundra, and forests. The routes here are 

demanding, but the rewards great. Most backcountry travelers 

in New Zealand stick to the main tramping paths; we leave 

them behind. So you’ll see few people as you explore the island’s 

tangled forests and cruise its rocky “tops” (mountaintops). The 

length of this course allows you time to delve into New Zealand’s 

unique natural history. You’ll encounter plants and animals 

found nowhere else on Earth: Strange trees that look like 

they’re straight out of Dr. Seuss’ imagination and large mountain 

parrots that live high in the alpine zones. You can expect challenging 

travel. The mountains are precipitous, and the rivers are 

prone to sudden rises after a rain. You can also expect to learn the 

skills required to travel safely and comfortably in this environment—skills 

that will serve you later in life wherever you may go. 

DETAILS 


Tuition: $6,025 (includes 15% New Zealand Goods and Services Tax) 




Become a leader and decide your route to the top! Big Hill Range 

Facing page: Get your bearings at NOLS. A NOLS experience is the perfect time out. 

Tennyson Inlet, Marlborough Sounds 


91

SEMESTER IN 

New Zealand 

JOIN US FOR AN EXCITING EDUCATIONAL 

opportunity in a remarkable country. New Zealand’s 

South Island is a varied region of alpine 

grasslands, snowfields, rain forests, rugged 

mountains, spectacular gorges, and broad 

valleys with unique birds and plants found 

nowhere else in the world, such as the only 

mountain parrot, the Kea. For 77 days, you’ll 

learn about the region’s natural history and culture 

as you travel through the island’s forests, 

which contain remnants of Gondwanaland, 

a prehistoric continent. Along the way, you’ll 

Instructor Dave Pigott points out river features. Clarence River 

Roo Riley 

spend some time with the local Maori who will 

teach you about their culture and connection to 

the land. Then, whether you choose to canoe, 

sea kayak, or sail, you’ll practice technical skills 

along New Zealand’s coastlines or rivers. And 

no matter where this semester takes you, you’ll 

experience the varied and unpredictable weather 

of the “Roaring Forties”—an apt nickname for 

the area between latitudes 40° and 50° south 

known for strong and prevailing winds. 

Tom Attwater 

Your home for 10 days of coastal sailing. Queen Charlotte 

Sound, South Island 

Facing page: There’s a reason New Zealand’s latitude 

is called the “Roaring Forties.” Ashburton Glacier, 

Arrowsmith Range 

BACKPACKING A common element to all New Zealand semesters, tramping (Kiwi 

for backpacking) is where you will learn all the basics of backcountry travel. New 

Zealand is known for its spectacular landscape, and during your semester you will 

explore all it has to offer. Be ready for steep terrain and variable weather. Students 

find this a physically demanding section but also the one with the greatest learning 

opportunities. 

CANOEING (optional dates) For three weeks, you’ll follow the South Island rivers like 

the Clarence (Wai-au-toa), Hurunui, or Waiau. You’ll learn the essentials of canoe expeditioning 

as you paddle through some of New Zealand’s most classic hill country. 

SEA KAYAKING (optional dates) Set in the waters of the Marlborough Sounds, this 

section will begin with basic maneuvering and move to additional classes on paddling 

techniques. You’ll also have classes on navigation, tides and currents, marine weather 

and communications, and other aspects of seamanship. 

MOUNTAINEERING SKILLS (fall only) Up to three weeks long, this section provides a 

solid foundation of mountaineering skills that build on the skills you learn backpacking. 

You will travel in the challenging and dramatic alpine environments of one of several 

areas: Arthur’s Pass National Park, the Arrowsmith Range, Ahuriri/Ruataniwha 

Conservation Park, or Nelson Lakes National Park. 

SAILING (spring only) This 10-day section takes place in the Cook Strait and Marlborough 

Sounds regions. You will cook and live aboard two sailing yachts, rotating 

crew positions and learning the fundamentals of basic coastal cruising. 



Tuition: $16,100 (spring, includes New Zealand’s 12.5% Goods and Services Tax); $16,675 (fall, includes New Zealand’s 

15% Goods and Services Tax) 




92 


NEW ZEALAND 


93

SCANDINAVIA 

Caitlin Buttor-Feoderl 

94 


With remote Arctic coastlines and lush tundra, Scandinavia beckons. Your NOLS expedition along the Arctic Circle will 

take you around rugged islands, in and out of fjords, and along coastal brim, the lowland area stretching from the ocean to 

the steep glaciated peaks of the Scandinavian Mountains. Lying along the same latitudes as Siberia, Greenland, and Alaska, 

Arctic Scandinavia will provide long summer days of midnight sun as you learn technical sea kayaking or backpacking 

skills needed for an expedition anywhere in the world. From the coast to the limestone caves to forested valleys and high 

peaks, this unique backcountry classroom provides ample opportunity to immerse yourself in the core NOLS curriculum. 

And as one of the newest NOLS operating locations, Scandinavia will provide a sense of adventure and expedition that is 

very much exploratory. You may go where no NOLS student has gone before. Whether in your boat or on your feet, you’ll 

master leadership and outdoor living skills while immersing yourself in the culture and wilderness of Scandinavia. 

SCANDINAVIA 

Kayak the rugged coastlines of this unique territory while learning what it means to 

have good expedition behavior. Salten Coast, Norway 

SCANDINAVIA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING 

The Kingdom of Norway is the westernmost country of the 

Scandinavian Peninsula in Europe. Sea kayaking its impressive 

coastline offers a mix of remote paddling without any human 

encounters and days where you can purchase fresh food 

in the small fishing communities that dot the rugged shores. 

The Norwegian Sea has a rich marine life, abundant with cod, 

herring, and halibut, and is home to the largest deepwater coral 

reef in the world. Your trekking section will start in Norway at 

fjord level and move to higher elevations that are remarkably 

unspoiled. A mix of rolling hills and snow-covered peaks punctuated 

by glaciers, this area has been home to the indigenous 

Sami peoples for over two thousand years. Whichever skill you 

tackle first, you’ll walk away with a comprehensive understanding 

of the land, water, and culture of Scandinavia. 

DETAILS 






Facing page: No, it’s not a dream. Explore all this desolate and rugged landscape 

has to offer. Above Sorfjorden, Norway 

Lena Conlan 

SCANDINAVIA SEA KAYAKING 

The Norwegian coastline is unlike any place else in the world. 

Its proximity to the Arctic Circle provides long daylight hours 

to witness abundant sea life and breathtaking views. From cod 

to herring to halibut, fishing opportunities abound. You will 

travel by sea kayak in and out of fjords, past small fishing villages, 

around rugged islands, and next to land punctuated by 

steep, glaciated mountains. As you explore the beautiful coast, 

you’ll learn to read nautical charts, hone your paddling skills, 

and navigate different wind and tidal conditions, all while having 

fun and refining your leadership skills. 

DETAILS 







If you have always dreamed of hiking near the Arctic Circle, 

this exploratory backpacking course will take you north into 

those remote regions of Norway and Sweden. You may go where 

no NOLS student has gone before. With the expert guidance of 

your instructors, you’ll learn to travel and camp in areas such 

as Tromsø, Finnmark, or Lyngen. With roots reaching back to 

the indigenous Sami traditions as well as the migrations of the 

Vikings during the late 800s, Scandinavia is a unique place rich 

in culture, history, and wilderness. Here you will dive into the 

NOLS core curriculum—honing your leadership skills, backcountry 

navigation savvy, and Leave No Trace ethics. Students 

18 and older can opt for a 30-day expedition. We also offer 

a shorter, though no less intense or beautiful, 14-day trek for 

students 23 and older. 

DETAILS 


23 & Over • Duration: 14 days 



2 hours Skills Practicum (18 & Over); 2 hours Skills Practicum (23 & Over) 


95

CUSTOM COURSES & CONSULTING 

by NOLS Professional Training 

Ignacio Grez 

96 


NOLS Professional Training offers innovative, customized NOLS courses for businesses and organizations, focusing on 

any aspect of the NOLS core curricula—leadership, technical skills, risk management, or environmental studies. Our 

program coordinators help you select course dates and an optimum group size to meet your desired outcomes. Then, we 

build a curriculum and progression around concrete learning objectives. To meet these objectives, our many operating 

locations offer unique opportunities to utilize various technical outdoor skills, from backpacking to mountaineering 

to sea kayaking and sailing. Additionally, NOLS consultants can train administrators in program risk management, 

review programs, and train your staff. We can bring our expert educators to you or you can join us in one of our wilderness 

classrooms around the world. 

NOLS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING 

Find client outcomes stories at www.nols.edu/nolspro/clients.shtml. 

Dave Anderson 

Brian Fabel 

Working together in a high-performing team is one expected outcome of NOLS Professional 

Training wilderness expeditions. Sinks Canyon, Wyoming 

Invest in your people. Invest in their leadership. The payoff is a highly functioning 

team that spends more time driving your mission. Lander, Wyoming 

CUSTOM WILDERNESS EXPEDITIONS 

NOLS Professional Training teaches leadership on multiday 

wilderness expeditions. Unlike many guided travel adventure 

programs, our expeditions focus on learning and practicing 

your own travel and camping skills and environmental studies 

as part of leadership training. These expeditions include 

our most complete leadership curriculum, using the same 

model with which we train NASA astronauts and shuttle 

crews. Participants rotate serving as designated leaders each 

day, while others learn active followership to help make an 

optimal team. Time is prioritized for individual and group 

reflection about effective situational leadership. The NOLS 

curriculum provides a shared language and real-time experience 

for examining personal leadership skills and improving 

team performance. Research shows the skills most valued by 

NOLS participants after their courses are as applicable in the 

boardroom as they are in the backcountry. 

DETAILS 

Duration: 7–30 days 

Dates, locations, and tuition vary by client. Contact our program coordinators to 

design your custom course today: nolspro@nols.edu or 1-800-710-NOLS, ext. 3. 

Curriculum: see pages 6–7 

Facing page: NOLS Professional Training custom courses focus on helping your 

team reach its potential. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

LEADERSHIP NAVIGATION CHALLENGE 

The Leadership Navigation Challenge (LNC) is a focused team 

leadership development program. The training delivers core aspects 

of the NOLS leadership curriculum customized to your work 

context and needs in a facilitated environment. The culminating 

activity of the LNC requires participants to practice their skills 

and actively engage in an outdoor GPS orienteering mission that 

requires in-the-moment decision-making, collaboration, analytical 

thinking, and strategic planning. This hands-on condensed 

expedition mimics challenges that teams face anywhere: making 

expedient decisions, balancing task achievement with group development, 

blending distinct individuals to form a cohesive team, and 

working through unforeseen hurdles. Through group coaching 

that includes shadowing and debriefing, our clients see increased 

functionality in their teams and return to their organizations more 

resilient, productive, and efficient. The LNC is highly portable 

and can be delivered in a classroom and green space near you. Your 

team is removed from the distractions of the daily routine in order 

to focus and examine critical work issues, processes, and patterns. 

DETAILS 

Duration: 1–3 days 

Dates, locations, and tuition vary by client. Contact nolspro@nols.edu or call us at 

1-800-710-NOLS, ext. 3. 

Curriculum: see page 7 

97

“IF 

IT WEREN’T FOR THE NOLS TRAINING, WE WOULD HAVE 

BEEN HIT REALLY HARD BY THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN. ”N. 

Augie C. Bering V, Executive Vice President, Bering’s Retail Store 

Read more about how NOLS training helped 

Bering’s save $400,000 at www.nols.edu/nolspro/ 

custom_courses/berings_store.shtml. 

RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES 

TC Rammelkamp 

Brian Fabel 

Whether you are working to build a thorough risk management plan or test established 

strategies, our four specialized services empower you to manage risks within the context 

of your time, budget, and organizational priorities. Green River, Utah 

RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING 

Improve your curriculum, administrative processes, staff hiring, 

field support services, and crisis planning in this open-enrollment 

seminar offered at predetermined locations. Our main objective is 

to help you build or improve on your comprehensive risk management 

plan. 

DETAILS 

Duration: 2 days (16 hours) • Stage of Client Program: Building 

Tuition: $565 

Dates and locations: page 108 

CUSTOMIZED STAFF TRAINING 

Enhance staff performance through this customized training. We 

will help you identify and refine staff training priorities using case 

studies and protocols from your organization. 

DETAILS 

Duration: 2–3 days • Stage of Client Program: Established 

Tuition: Varies (see website) 

Dates and locations are client dependent. Contact us at nolspro@nols.edu 

NOLS is a cosponsor and the convener of the Wilderness Risk Management Conference 

(WRMC), the foremost annual gathering of risk management professionals and outdoor 

edcuators in the nation. Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 2008 WRMC 

RISK MANAGEMENT CONSULTING 

We’ll provide a professional assessment of your risk management 

strengths and deficiencies and identify specific opportunities for 

improvement in your risk management strategies with a targeted 

list of recommendations. 

DETAILS 

Duration: 3–10 days • Stage of Client Program: Building or Established 

Tuition: Varies (see website) 

Dates and locations are client dependent. Contact us at nolspro@nols.edu 

WILDERNESS RISK MANAGEMENT 

CONFERENCE (WRMC) 

Connect and learn with other risk managers while sharing risk 

management practices. This annual three-day event provides practical 

solutions for challenging risk management issues. 

DETAILS 

Duration: 3 days 

Conference Registration Costs: Varies (see website) 


98 www.nols.edu/nolspro • (800) 710-NOLS ext. 3 • nolspro@nols.edu


Abe Goodale 


Jaret Slipp 


NOLS Professional Training builds strong relationships and delivers successful courses to a diverse group of clients. Clockwise from top left: Salmon River, Idaho; Hidden Valley, 

Patagonia; Sinks Canyon, Wyoming; NOLS Mexico 

SOME WHO HAVE CHOSEN NOLS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING: 

Secondary Schools 

Fort Washakie Charter High School 

Fremont County School District 1, Wyoming 

Lawrenceville Academy 

Sun Valley Community School 

Universities and Colleges 

Harvard Medical School 

Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University) 

United States Naval Academy 

Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) 

Wyoming Catholic College 

Scholars and Fraternities 

Beta Theta Pi (leadership fraternity) 

Robertson Scholars Program 

Levine Scholars Program 

Camps and Youth Organizations 

Boy Scouts of America 

National Military Family Association’s Operation Purple® Camp 

North Country Camps 

Student Expedition Program (STEP) 

Government 

Interagency Wildland Firefi ghters 

NASA 

Uganda Wildlife Authority Rangers 

UNESCO 

Corporate 

Google 

Merrill Lynch (Wharton Executive Education) 

Mountain Equipment Cooperative 

“AF AFTER WORKING IN THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY FOR 15 YEARS, 

I AM AMAZED TO BE ABLE TO RETURN TO NOLS AND STILL HAVE 

SO MUCH TO LEARN. THE DEPTH AND INSIGHT OF YOUR RISK 

MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND THE THOROUGH INQUIRY INTO 

CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES LEFT ME HUMBLED, INSPIRED, 

AND WELL-PREPARED TO MOVE AHEAD WITH MY CLIENTS. ”TS. 

Steve Smith, Owner and Consultant, Experiential Consulting, LLC 

Hear other professionals talk about NOLS at www.nols.tv 

99

WILDERNESS MEDICINE INSTITUTE 

Bradly J. Boner 

100 


When 911 is not an option, the rules change—plain and simple. For two decades and with over 100,000 graduates, the 

Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS (WMI) has defined the standards in wilderness medicine training. Our mission 

is to provide the highest quality education and information for the recognition, treatment, and prevention of wilderness 

emergencies. WMI empowers people to act with confidence in emergency situations by providing students with the tools 

and training to respond to and evaluate potentially complex medical situations in remote environments. Our curriculum 

is evidence-based, relevant, and practical and our faculty are seasoned and professional. We seek out the best medical 

science to support our practices and work closely with a medical advisory panel to ensure our students are receiving the 

most up-to-date material available. We don’t just teach lessons that work in the classroom; we teach skills that work in 

the outdoors and offer a wide range of course and certification opportunities tailored to meet your needs. 

WILDERNESS MEDICIINE INSTITUTE 

TRAINING FOR OUTDOOR PROFESSIONALS 

WILDERNESS FIRST AID 

Fast paced and hands-on, this two- or three-day course covers a 

wide range of wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and 

work in the outdoors. 

DETAILS 

Age: 16 & Over • Duration: 16-24 hours • Tuition: Varies (see website) 

Dates and locations: www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/schedule.shtml 

WILDERNESS ADVANCED FIRST AID 

A more extensive training program than the Wilderness First Aid 

course, this five-day course focuses on stabilization, treatment, and 

evacuation guidelines of patients in backcountry environments. 

More emphasis is placed on long-term patient care management 

and specific injury evaluation. 

DETAILS 

Age: 16 & Over • Duration: 40 hours • Tuition: Varies (see website) 

Optional Credit: 32 hours of CEUs available for EMTs. 


WILDERNESS EMT 

The Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT) is 

the highest level of wilderness medicine training available. This 

monthlong intensive program combines wilderness medicine with 

urban medical care practices, including time at a hospital and in 

an ambulance. After four weeks of classroom education, practical 

skills, scenarios, and full-scale mock rescues, you will be ready to 

handle medical emergencies in the wilderness or right in town. 

Successful completion of the course and both written and practical 

examinations will certify the student as a National Registry of 

EMT’s Basic EMT and as a Wilderness EMT. 

DETAILS 

Age: 18 & Over • Duration: 180 hours • Tuition: $3,290 

Eligibility: Current healthcare provider-level CPR (most commonly called CPR for 

the Professional Rescuer or BLS Healthcare Provider CPR) and a TB test completed 

within one year of the last day of the course. 

Optional Credit: 9 semester hours of college credit 


WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER 

Essential for a professional career in the outdoors, the Wilderness 

First Responder (WFR) will increase your medical confidence, 

skills, and knowledge. This 80-hour course includes a comprehensive 

wilderness medicine curriculum that focuses on extended care 

and unique wilderness therapies. 

DETAILS 


Optional Credit: 3 semester hours of college credit; 70 hours of CEUs available for 

EMTs; Approved for up to 59.5 hours of credit towards a FAWM. 


Facing page: Realistic fi eld senarios are a part of WMI’s WEMT course, and the hard 

work pays off. WMI graduates have a 92% fi rst-time pass rate on the National Registry 

Basic EMT exam compared to a 68% national average. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

“I SPECIFICALLY CHOSE TO TAKE MY 

WILDERNESS EMT THROUGH WMI OF 

NOLS BECAUSE OF THE HIGH QUALITY 

OF EDUCATION I RECEIVED DURING MY 

WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER WITH THEM. 

I FIRMLY BELIEVE MY WMI EDUCATION HAS 

HELPED IN MY PROFESSION AND WITH MY 

CONFIDENCE IN THE MEDICAL FIELD. I WILL 

” 

BE A LIFELONG ADVOCATE OF NOLS. 

Molly K. Caldwell, Wildfi re Crew, National Park Service 

101

“AF AFTER MY WMI COURSE, I HAVE GAINED CONFIDENCE IN TRANSFERRING MY KNOWLEDGE AS A DOCTOR IN A 

LARGE HOSPITAL TO THE WILDERNESS SETTING. I AM INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED BY YOUR TEACHING ABILITIES... 

CONVEYING INFORMATION IN AN EASY, CONCRETE, USEFUL, AND FUN WAY. YOUR CLASSES WERE TOP-NOTCH. ”H. 

Sara Selander, 2009 

EDUCATION FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS 

WILDERNESS MEDICINE FOR THE 

PROFESSIONAL PRACTITIONER 

Managing a patient in a wilderness, remote, or disaster setting requires 

you to adapt your existing medical knowledge into a new 

context. This two-day course focuses on the critical wilderness 

medicine skills needed to take care of a patient in an extended 

care environment. These skills include orthopaedic injury management 

and improvised splinting, focused spine assessment, 

improvised litter construction, environmental emergency management, 

and leadership and communication skills. We will provide you 

with the latest information on decision-making principles that guide 

wilderness treatment and evacuation decisions and allow you to apply 

your new knowledge through practical scenarios and case studies. 

DETAILS 


Eligibility: Current status as an EMT, physician, or nurse 

Optional Credit: 16 hours of CEUs available for EMTs; 16 hours of Category 1 CMEs 

available for physicians; Approved for up to 16 hours of credit towards a FAWM. 


John Hovey 

Medicine in the Wild students gain familiarity with a portable ultrasound during their 

elective in the Gila Wilderness, New Mexico. 

WILDERNESS UPGRADE FOR 

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS 

Building on your background in urban emergency care you will 

learn how to improvise equipment, deal with challenging environmental 

conditions, and make difficult medical decisions in remote 

locations. This intense, hands-on curriculum utilizes daily roleplays, 

case studies, and practical scenarios. It covers a wide breadth 

of wilderness medicine topics, current controversies, and an extended 

night rescue. 

DETAILS 



Optional Credit: 4 semester hours of college credit; 48 hours of CEUs available for 

EMTs; 36 hours of Category 1 CMEs available for physicians; Approved for up to 

35.75 hours of credit towards a FAWM. 


MEDICINE IN THE WILD 

MEDICAL STUDENT ELECTIVE 

WMI and the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency 

(HAEMR) partner to offer the ultimate combination of wilderness 

medicine, leadership, and medical education in a remote environment. 

This is the ideal course for third- or fourth-year medical 

students looking for a uniquely challenging opportunity to practice 

medical decision-making in a backcountry setting. This is an unparalleled 

opportunity to gain proficiency in wilderness medicine, 

leadership, wilderness travel and living skills, and medical education 

techniques. No other medical school elective offers this breadth of 

curriculum or a true extended wilderness expedition. 

DETAILS 

Age: 23 & Over • Duration: 26 days • Tuition: $4,450 

Eligibility: 3rd- and 4th-year medical students and residents 

Optional Credit: Approved individually at student’s medical school 


Custom Training WMI also offers customized wilderness medicine and medical educator 

trainings and presentations for medical professionals. We work with student interest groups, 

medical schools, residencies, and clinical training programs. Contact us to discuss your needs. 

102 www.nols.edu/wmi • (800) 710-NOLS ext. 4 • wmi@nols.edu

WILDERNESS MEDICIINE INSTITUTE 

Casey Kanode 


Lena Conlan 

Alan Neilson 

Wilderness medicine and a NOLS fi eld course —the perfect combination. Clockwise from top left: Strait of Georgia, British Columbia; Titcomb Basin, Wind River Range, Wyoming; 

Main Salmon River, Idaho; Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden 

WILDERNESS MEDICINE EXPEDITIONS 

These expeditions offer an unparalleled opportunity for physicians, 

nurses and EMTs who want to learn practical, hands-on wilderness 

medicine and decision-making in a true wilderness environment. 

Whether your passion is backpacking, sailing, rafting or sea kayaking, 

we have an expedition for you. Each expedition includes WMI’s 

signature Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner 

course. The expedition allows you to learn and practice the NOLS 

outdoor skills curriculum while moving your team through the wilderness. 

Evenings are dedicated to exploring the NOLS leadership 

curriculum and its application to medical practice. Our Wilderness 

Medicine Expeditions are truly unique and showcase the best of what 

NOLS has to offer. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS FOR MEDICAL 

PROFESSIONALS 

• Our courses are accredited through the Continuing Education Coordinating 

Board for Emergency Medical Services (CECBEMS) to provide continuing 

education for EMTs. 

• Category 1 CMEs are available for physicians and nurses. These activities 

have been planned and implemented in accordance with the essential areas 

and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education 

(ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the Wilderness Medical Society 

and WMI. 

• For active members of the Wilderness Medical Society, these courses have 

been approved for designated hours towards a Fellowship of the Academy 

of Wilderness Medicine (FAWM). 

DETAILS 

Age: 23 & Over • Duration: 7-9 days • Tuition: Varies (see website) 


Optional Credit: 16 hours of CEUs available for EMTs; 16 hours of Category 1 CMEs 

available for physicians; Approved for up to 28 hours of credit towards a FAWM. 


Visit WMI of NOLS online at www.nols.edu/wmi for more course information, 

eligibility, and dates. 

103

This could be your job. 

If you love the outdoors and have great 

communication skills, instructing for NOLS 

may be your opportunity of a lifetime. Launch 

your NOLS instructor career with: 

• NOLS Instructor Course (IC), a month-long 

course for aspiring NOLS instructors. You’ll get 

the tools to teach the next generation of NOLS 

students—in-depth instruction on teaching 

the NOLS curriculum and training about 

NOLS protocols. 

• Professional Instructor Course (PIC), 

a 16-day course for very experienced practicing 

outdoor educators. We’ll recognize your 

accomplishments and put you on the fast-track 

to working for NOLS. 

• Wilderness Medicine Instructor Training 

Course (ITC), You’ll become a part of a highly 

qualified team of WMI instructors who are leaders 

in the fi eld of wilderness medicine education. 

Year-round work, instructor seminars to continue 

your growth, and NOLS support for personal 

expeditions are all part of the package. Work and 

travel the world with NOLS! 

For more information, check out: 

www.nols.edu/alumni/employment 

Fredrik Norrsell

COURSE DATES AND TUITIONS 

The most up-to-date course date and 

tuition information can be found on 

the web at www.nols.edu. 


WIND RIVER WILDERNESS PAGE 21 

16 & Over 

Tuition: $4,035 • Equipment Deposit: $350 

Optional College Credit: 6 hours 

May 30–June 28, 2011 June 30–July 29, 2011 

June 2–July 1, 2011 June 27–July 26, 2011 

June 9–July 8, 2011 July 7–Aug. 5, 2011 




16 & 17 Only 








23 & Over 



July 17–30, 2011 Sept. 4–17, 2011 

July 31–Aug. 13, 2011 

ABSAROKA BACKPACKING PAGE 22 



May 30–June 28, 2011 July 11–Aug. 9, 2011 


ROCKY MTN. LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING PAGE 22 



July 17–30, 2011 July 31–Aug. 13, 2011 

WYOMING BACKPACKING ADVENTURE FOR 

14- & 15-YEAR-OLDS PAGE 23 




June 23–July 22, 2011 

ROCKY MTN. OUTDOOR EDUCATOR PAGE 24 

Backpacking with Rock Climbing 



June 6–28, 2011 Sept. 2–24, 2011 

July 14–Aug. 5, 2011 

Backpacking with Wilderness First Responder 




NOLS/ORVIS TM WILDERNESS FLY-FISHING PAGE 24 




WILDERNESS HORSEPACKING PAGE 25 

16 & Over 



June 1–21, 2011 July 7–27, 2011 


June 25–July 15, 2011 Aug. 2–22, 2011 

23 & Over 



Aug. 28–Sept. 10, 2011 

WIND RIVER MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 26 




June 13–July 12, 2011 

ROCK CLIMBING PAGE 26 

21-day 



16 & Over 

July 14–Aug. 3, 2011 July 28–Aug. 17, 2011 

July 21–Aug. 10, 2011 

16 & 17 Only 

July 14–Aug. 3, 2011 July 21–Aug. 10, 2011 

30-Day 




ROCK AND RIVER PAGE 27 




WHITEWATER RIVER EXPEDITION PAGE 27 



June 1–16, 2011 July 13–28, 2011 

June 30–July 15, 2011 Aug. 1–16, 2011 

SEMESTER IN THE ROCKIES PAGE 28 

SPRING 

Tuition: $11,510; $12,275 w/WFR • Equipment 

Deposit: $700 


Section 1 & 2 • Feb. 14–May 11, 2011 

Winter (Ski), WFR, Canyon, Canoe, Climbing 

Section 3 & 4 • Feb. 21–May 18, 2011 

WFA, Winter (Ski), Canyon, River Travel, Climbing 

Section 5 • March 3–May 28, 2011 

WFA, Canyon, River Travel, Climbing, Horsepacking 

SUMMER 



June 6–Aug. 12, 2011 

Backpacking, Climbing, River Travel 

FALL 

Tuition: $11,775; $12,525 w/WFR • Equipment 

Deposit: $700 

Optional College Credit: 16 hours; 19 hours w/WFR 

Section 1 & 2 • Aug. 26–Nov. 22, 2011 

WFR, Canoe, Backpacking, Climbing, Canyon 

Section 3 • Sept. 2–Nov. 29, 2011 

WFA, Backpacking, Climbing, River Travel, Canyon 

Section 4 (Gap) • Sept. 2–Nov. 29, 2011 

WFA, Backpacking, Climbing, River Travel, Canyon 

Section 5 • Sept. 5–Dec. 2, 2011 

Backpacking, River Travel, WFA, Canyon, Winter (Ski) 


Backpacking, Climbing, WFA, Canyon, Winter (Ski) 


Mountaineering, River Travel, Canyon, Winter (Ski) 

Section 8 & 9 (Gap) • Sept. 12–Dec. 9, 2011 

WFA, Backpacking, Climbing, Canyon, Winter (Ski) 

SEMESTER FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATORS PAGE 32 

SPRING 



Feb. 10–May 9, 2011 

WFR, Winter, Canyon, Canoe, Climbing, Leave No 

Trace Master’s 

FALL 



Sept. 16–Dec. 13, 2011 

Backpacking, WFR, Climbing, Canyon, Winter, 

Leave No Trace Master’s 

TETON VALLEY 

SALMON BACKPACKING AND RAFTING PAGE 35 



July 1–28, 2011 July 17–Aug. 13, 2011 

WINTER OUTDOOR EDUCATOR PAGE 36 



Jan. 10–30, 2011 

BACKCOUNTRY SNOWBOARDING PAGE 36 



Jan. 6–19, 2011 Feb. 14–27, 2011 

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING PAGE 37 



Jan. 2–15, 2011 Feb. 22–March 7, 2011 

23-AND-OVER BACKCOUNTRY SKIING PAGE 37 



Dec. 29, 2010–Jan. 9, 2011 

Feb. 6–17, 2011 March 1–12, 2011 

105


FOR 14- & 15-YEAR-OLDS PAGE 38 


June 17–30, 2011 Girls only: June 25–July 8, 2011 

July 7–20, 2011 July 26–Aug. 8, 2011 

July 14–27, 2011 

SALMON BACKPACKING AND RAFTING ADVENTURE 

FOR 14- & 15-YEAR-OLDS PAGE 38 



June 24-July 21, 2011 


PACIFIC NORTHWEST TRIP LEADER PAGE 41 



June 8–16, 2011 Aug. 10–18, 2011 

July 27–Aug. 4, 2011 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BACKPACKING PAGE 41 





June 15–July 15, 2011 July 20–Aug 19, 2011 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BACKPACKING ADVENTURE 

FOR 14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS PAGE 41 


July 10–23, 2011 

WADDINGTON RANGE MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 42 




June 29–July 29, 2011 

NORTH CASCADES MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 42 

17 & Over 





23 & Over 



Aug. 10–26, 2011 Aug. 31–Sept. 16, 2011 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: 

MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 43 




June 1–July 1, 2011 

PACIFIC NORTHWEST SEA KAYAKING 

AND SAILING PAGE 43 




SEMESTER IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST PAGE 44 

FALL 



Section 1 • Aug. 17–Nov. 4, 2011 

Sea Kayaking, Climbing, WFA, Backpacking, Sailing 


Mountain Travel, WFA, Sailing, Rock Climbing, 

Coastal Backpacking 


Mountain Travel, Rock Climbing, WFA, Coastal 

Backpacking, Sailing 


Mountain Travel, WFA, Sailing, Rock Climbing, 

Coastal Backpacking 


Mountain Travel, WFA, Rock Climbing, Coastal 

Backpacking, Sailing 

SEMESTER ON THE BORDERS PAGE 50 

SPRING 



March 10–June 3, 2011 

SOUTHWEST 

SOUTHWEST OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: BACKPACKING 

AND ROCK CLIMBING PAGE 47 



Jan. 6–Feb. 5, 2011 

SOUTHWEST LIGHTWEIGHT BACKPACKING PAGE 47 



Jan. 10–23, 2011 Sept. 20–Oct. 3, 2011 

SEMESTER IN THE SOUTHWEST PAGE 48 

SPRING 



Jan. 11–April 8, 2011 Jan. 29–April 26, 2011 

FALL 



Sept. 5–Dec. 1, 2011 

SEMESTER ON THE BORDERS PAGE 50 

SPRING 



March 10–June 3, 2011 

YEAR IN THE SONORAN PAGE 52 

FALL 



Oct. 1, 2011–March 14, 2012 

(Holiday Break: Dec. 5, 2011–Jan. 4, 2012) 

NORTHEAST 


FOR 14- AND 15-YEAR-OLDS PAGE 55 


June 30–July 13, 2011 July 17–30, 2011 

ALASKA 

PRINCE WILLIAM SOUND 23-AND-OVER SEA 

KAYAKING PAGE 57 



July 17–30, 2011 

SOUTHEAST ALASKA SEA KAYAKING PAGE 57 



16 & Over 


16 & 17 only 

July 17–Aug. 15, 2011 July 20–Aug 18, 2011 

ALASKA BACKPACKING AND SEA KAYAKING PAGE 58 





ALASKA OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: BACKPACKING 

AND SEA KAYAKING PAGE 58 



July 21–Aug. 19, 2011 

ALASKA MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 59 

17 & Over 




23 & Over 



July 3–16, 2011 July 24–Aug. 6, 2011 

DENALI MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 59 



June 8–July 11, 2011 

ALASKA BACKPACKING PAGE 60 



16 & Over 





16 & 17 Only 



ALASKA BACKPACKING AND PACKRAFTING PAGE 60 



June 24–July 23, 2011 

BROOKS RANGE BACKPACKING AND RIVER PAGE 61 



July 8–Aug. 16, 2011 

106 


BROOKS RANGE 23-AND-OVER BACKPACKING PAGE 61 



Aug. 7–20, 2011 

SEMESTER IN ALASKA PAGE 62 

SUMMER 



May 25–Aug. 7, 2011 June 4–Aug. 17, 2011 

YUKON 

YUKON BACKPACKING PAGE 65 



June 20–July 19, 2011 

YUKON BACKPACKING AND 

WILDERNESS CANOEING PAGE 65 




YUKON OUTDOOR EDUCATOR: BACKPACKING 

AND WHITEWATER CANOEING PAGE 65 



July 26–Aug. 24, 2011 

SEMESTER IN THE YUKON PAGE 66 

SUMMER 



June 11–Aug. 25, 2011 

MEXICO 

BAJA COASTAL SAILING PAGE 69 



Jan. 3–24, 2011 Oct. 13–Nov. 3, 2011 

BAJA SEA K AYAKING PAGE 69 

16 & Over 



Jan. 4–25, 2011 March 3–24, 2011 

Oct. 18–Nov. 8, 2011 

23 & Over 



Feb. 3–16, 2011 

SEMESTER IN BAJA PAGE 70 

SPRING 



Jan. 12–March 30, 2011 Jan. 19–April 6, 2011 

FALL 



Sept. 7–Nov. 23, 2011 Sept. 21–Dec. 7, 2011 

YEAR IN THE SONORAN PAGE 52 

FALL 



Oct. 1, 2011–March 14, 2012 


PATAGONIA 

PATAGONIA MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 73 



Jan. 6–Feb. 8, 2011 

PATAGONIA BACKPACKING AND FLY-FISHING PAGE 73 



March 9–22, 2011 

SEMESTER IN PATAGONIA PAGE 74 

SPRING 



Jan. 14–April 3, 2011 Jan. 19–April 8, 2011 

FALL 



Sept. 22–Dec. 10, 2011 Sept. 30–Dec. 18, 2011 

YEAR IN PATAGONIA PAGE 76 

FALL 



Oct. 16, 2011–March 14, 2012 


AMAZON 

AMAZON BASIN RIVER EXPEDITION PAGE 79 



July 18–Aug. 26, 2011 

SEMESTER IN THE AMAZON PAGE 80 

FALL 



Sept. 7–Nov. 25, 2011 

INDIA 

HIMALAYA BACKPACKING PAGE 83 



May 1–June 4, 2011 Sept. 21–Oct. 25, 2011 

May 12–June 15, 2011 

HIMALAYA MOUNTAINEERING PAGE 83 



April 2–May 11, 2011 Sept. 1–Oct. 10, 2011 

SEMESTER IN INDIA PAGE 84 

SPRING 



March 9–May 27, 2011 March 22–June 9, 2011 

FALL 



Aug. 23–Nov. 10, 2011 Sept. 7–Nov. 25, 2011 

AUSTRALIA 

AUSTRALIA BACKPACKING AND 

SEA KAYAKING PAGE 87 



June 23–Aug. 6, 2011 July 6–Aug. 19, 2011 

AUSTRALIA BACKPACKING PAGE 87 



June 29–Aug. 2, 2011 

SEMESTER IN AUSTRALIA PAGE 88 

SPRING 



March 18–May 31, 2011 March 24–June 6, 2011 

SUMMER 



June 10–Aug. 16, 2011 

NEW ZEALAND 

NEW ZEALAND BACKPACKING PAGE 91 

Tuition: $6,025 (includes 15% NZ Goods and 

Services Tax) • Equipment Deposit: $350 


Feb. 10–March 11, 2011 

SEMESTER IN NEW ZEALAND PAGE 92 

SPRING 

Tuition: $16,100 (includes 12.5% NZ Goods and 

Services Tax) 

Equipment Deposit: $700 


Section 1 • Jan. 27–April 13, 2011 

Canoeing, Sea Kayaking, Backpacking, Culture 

Section 2 • Jan. 27–April 13, 2011 

Sea Kayaking, Backpacking, Sailing, Culture 

Section 3 • Feb. 6–April 23, 2011 

Canoeing, Sea Kayaking, Backpacking, Culture 

Section 4 • Feb. 6–April 23, 2011 

Backpacking, Sea Kayaking, Sailing, Culture 

FALL 

Tuition: $16,675 (includes 15% NZ Goods and 

Services Tax) 




Mountaineering, Sea Kayaking, Backpacking, Culture 


Sea Kayaking, Mountaineering, Backpacking, Culture 


107

Canoeing, Backpacking, Mountaineering, Culture 


Backpacking, Canoeing, Sea Kayaking, Culture 


Backpacking, Sea Kayaking, Canoeing, Culture 

SCANDINAVIA 

SCANDINAVIA SEA KAYAKING PAGE 95 



July 29–Aug. 19, 2011 


AND SEA KAYAKING PAGE 95 




SCANDINAVIA BACKPACKING PAGE 95 

18 & Over 



July 14–Aug. 12, 2011 

23 & Over 



July 31–Aug. 13, 2011 


RISK MANAGEMENT TRAINING PAGE 98 

Tuition: $565 

March 5–6, 2011 • Seattle, WA, USA 

April 5–6, 2011 • Atlanta, GA, USA 

May 11–12, 2011 • San Francisco, CA, USA 

October 4–5, 2011 • Northeast USA 

November 3–4, 2011 • San Antonio, TX, USA 

WILDERNESS RISK MANAGEMENT 

CONFERENCE PAGE 98 

Registration: see www.nols.edu/wrmc 

October 14–16, 2010 • Colorado Springs, CO 

October 5–7, 2011 • Boston, MA 

WILDERNESS MEDICINE INSTITUTE 

Visit www.NOLS.edu/wmi/courses for the latest 

WFA, WAFA, and WFR offerings. 

WILDERNESS EMT PAGE 101 

Tuition: $3,290 (January–August 2011); 

TBA (September–December 2011 

Optional Credit: 9 semester hours of college credit 

January 3–28, 2011 • Lander, WY, USA 

January 10–February 4, 2011 • Midpines, CA, USA 

February 4–March 25, 2011 • Midpines, CA, USA 

April 11–May 6, 2011 • Lander, WY, USA 

May 9–June 3, 2011 • Midpines, CA, USA 

May 16–June 10, 2011 • Lander, WY, USA 

June 13–July 8, 2011 • Midpines, CA, USA 

June 20–July 15, 2011 • Lander, WY, USA 

July 18–August 12, 2011 • Midpines, CA, USA 

July 25–August 19, 2011 • Lander, WY, USA 

September 19–October 14, 2011 • Lander, WY, USA 

October 24–November 18, 2011 • Midpines, CA, USA 

MEDICINE IN THE WILD PAGE 102 


Credit: Awarded individually at student’s school. 

April 4–28, 2011 • Gila Wilderness, NOLS Southwest 

WILDERNESS MEDICINE EXPEDITIONS PAGE 103 

Tuition: Varies (see below) 

Optional Credit: 16 hours of CEUs available for 

EMTs; 16 hours of Category 1 CMEs available for 

Physicians. Approved for up to 28 hours of credit 

towards a FAWM. 

Backpacking in the Galiuros 

October 16–23, 2011 • NOLS Southwest • $1,950 

Sailing in British Columbia 

June 4–11, 2011 • NOLS Pacific Northwest • $2,850 

Sea Kayaking in Prince William Sound 

July 9–16, 2011 • NOLS Alaska • $2,550 

Rafting the Main Salmon River 

August 26–Sept. 3, 2011 • NOLS Teton Valley • $2,950 

Backpacking in the Wind River Range 

August 28–Sept. 4, 2011 • NOLS Rocky Mountain • $2,200 

Backpacking in the Galiuros 

Sept. 25–Oct. 2, 2011 • NOLS Southwest • $1,950 

INSTRUCTOR COURSES 

STANDARD INSTRUCTOR COURSES (IC) PAGE 104 

Tuition: $4,590 • Duration: 35 days 


Optional College Credit: 2 hours Leadership 

Techniques, 2 hours Risk Management, 2 hours 

Outdoor Educator 

MOUNTAIN 

Rocky Mountain May 5–June 8, 2011 

July 6–Aug. 9, 2011 

May 19–June 22, 2011 

Alaska May 20–June 23, 2011 

Southwest April 1–May 4, 2011 

RIVER 

Rocky Mountain April 17–May 20, 2011 

Yukon June 1–July 5, 2011 

SAILING 

Mexico Nov. 2–Dec. 6, 2011 

PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTOR COURSES (PIC) PAGE 104 

Tuition: $300 • Duration: 16 days 

Optional College Credit: 2 hours Leadership 

Techniques, 2 hours Outdoor Educator 

MOUNTAIN 

Rocky Mountain May 19–June 3, 2011 

WILDERNESS MEDICINE INSTRUCTOR 

TRAINING COURSES (ITC) PAGE 104 

Tuition: Call WMI for more info 

Wilderness First Responder ITC 

November 6–15, 2011 

Wilderness First Aid ITC 

November 6–12, 2011 

UPCOMING: TANZANIA 

Fall 2011 could find NOLS back in Africa! Stay 

tuned to www.nols.edu for details about this exciting 

new offering in the wilderness and culture of 

Tanzania. 



Kyle Hammons 

Work independently and as a group as you become an 

efficient and enthusiastic backcountry traveler. From top 

to bottom: Point Hamilton, Inside Passage, Alaska; Prince 

William Sound, Alaska; Isla Merino Jarpa, Patagonia 

108 


NOLS is an equal opportunity service provider, operating under permit and in partnership 

with the USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state organizations, and international land 

management agencies. 

NATIONAL PARKS AND REFUGES: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Big 

Bend National Park, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, City of Rocks National 

Scenic Reserve, Colorado National Monument, Crooked River National Grassland, 

Denali National Park and Preserve, Devils Tower National Monument, 

Dinosaur National Monument, Gates of the Arctic National Park, Glen Canyon 

National Recreation Area, Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Teton National 

Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Humboldt National Forest, 

Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Mount Rainier National Park, Mount Rushmore 

National Monument, Noatak National Preserve, North Cascades National 

Park, Olympic National Park, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Wrangell-St. 

Elias National Park and Preserve, Yellowstone National Park 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, 

Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming 

USDA FOREST SERVICE: Ashley National Forest, Beaverhead National Forest, 

Bighorn National Forest, Black Hills National Forest, Bridger-Teton National 

Forest, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Chugach National Forest, Coronado 

National Forest, Custer National Forest, Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest, 

Gallatin National Forest, Gila National Forest, Gunnison National Forest, 

Kaibab National Forest, Klamath National Forest, Lincoln National Forest, 

Lolo National Forest, Manti-LaSal National Forest, Medicine Bow National 

Forest, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Ocala National Forest, Okanogan 

National Forest, Quachita National Forest, Salmon-Challis National Forest, 

Shoshone National Forest, Sierra National Forest, Tongass National Forest, 

Wenatchee National Forest, White River National Forest, Willamette National 

Forest, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest 

OTHER U.S. PARTNERS (STATE PARKS, ETC.): Alaska State Parks, 

American Legion State Forest, Anacortes Park and Recreation, Ahtna, Incorporated, 

Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation, Custer State Park, 

Sinks Canyon State Park, Smith Rock State Park, State of Alaska Department 

of Natural Resources, Texas State Parks, The Access Fund, The Nature Conservancy, 

Utah Division of State Lands and Forestry, Washington State Parks and 

Recreation Commission 

INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS: Arthur’s Pass National Park, Nelson 

Lakes National Park, Kahurangi National Park, Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve, Lake 

Sumner Conservation Park, Craigieburn Conservation Park, Bardi Aboriginal 

Community, Department of Conservation-Te Papa Atawhai, Drysdale River 

National Park, Jarlmadanga Burru Aboriginal Community, King Leopold Ranges 

Conservation Park, Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park, Ngati Kuri subtribe of 

Ngai tahu, Western Australia Department of Environment and Conservation, 

Alacalufes National Reserve, Alberto de Agostini National Park, Bernardo 

O’Higgins National Park, Hornopiren National Park, Isla Magdalena National 

Park, Lago Palena, Laguna San Rafael National Park, Mapu lahual Indian 

Reservation, Parque Pumalin Puyehue National Park, Queulat National Park, 

San Pedro de Atacama, Torres del Paine National Park, Villarrica National Park, 

Reservas Nacionales: Katalalixar, Tamango, Lago Jeinimeni, Cerro Castillo, Rio 

Simpson, Manihuales, Las Guaitecas, Lago Rosselot, Coyhaique, Trapananda, 

Lago Carlota, Rio Cipreces, Juruena National Park, Amazonia National Park 

(ICM), Ricardo Franco State Park, Secretaria de Medio Ambiente y Recursos 

Naturales (SEMARNAT), Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas 

(CONANP), Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH), Parque 

Nacional Marino Bahía de Loreto, Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna: Islas del 

Golfo de Baja California Norte, Área de Protección de Flora y Fauna: Islas del 

Golfo de Baja California Sur, Reserva de la Biosfera el Vizcaíno, Reserva de la 

Biosfera Valle de Los Cirios, Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, Reserva 

de la Biosfera Sierra La Laguna. Sierra de la Giganta, Canada Heritage River 

System: Bonnet Plume River, First Nation Lands: Tr’ondek Hwech’in Nacho 

Nyak Dun, Tetlin Gwich’in, Vuntut Gwitchin, Kaska, Teslin Carcross Tagish, 

British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Sports and the Arts, British Columbia 

Ministry of Environment: BC Parks, Pacific Rim National Park and Reserve, 

Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Yukon Territorial Government: Peel 

River Watershed Area, The Tahltan Nation, Yukon and Northwest Territories 

Canada, Kluane National Park, Uttaranchal Tourism and the Forest Department 

Government of Uttaranchal state (India) 

SHAPING THE 

Future of Travel 

NOLS is the proud nonprofit, educational partner of the Adventure Collection, 

a collaboration of ten leading independent outdoor travel organizations. 

Founded in 2000, the Adventure Collection has been shaping the future of 

adventurous exploration with a laser focus on responsible travel and a 

dedication to innovation. To learn more, visit www.adventurecollection.com. 

109

NOLS’ ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT 

Creating a Climate For Change 


Part of the NOLS curriculum is environmental studies, and here at NOLS we take environmental issues seriously. We are striving as an organization to be a leader in sustainable 

business practices. Arizona Creek, Wyoming 

Let’s face it. NOLS students travel the globe 

to far-flung locations. We use outdoor gear and 

clothing made from synthetics derived from petroleum. 

We hike and paddle in pristine wilderness. 

NOLS makes a mark, and not just with the 

incredible education our students receive. 

Since 1965, NOLS has constantly refined 

its environmental practices to minimize the footprint 

we leave, whether we are educating students 

in the backcountry or conducting business 

around the world. We research, reduce, reuse, 

recycle, and most importantly, lead by example. 

MAXIMUM IMPACT EDUCATION 

At the end of the day, our students and graduates are NOLS’ greatest contribution to the 

environment. They experience our planet’s power and beauty, and they understand its fragility. 

NOLS grads are skilled positive leaders with an environmental awareness and a strong 

ethical foundation. Through our students, NOLS is creating a climate for change. 

MINIMUM IMPACT PRACTICES 

From our off-the-grid facility on Mexico’s Bahía Concepción to our geo-thermal facility in 

Chile, NOLS has a long tradition of finding unique and environmentally responsible ways 

of supporting our educational expeditions. We’ve made a centralized and coordinated effort 

to strengthen our environmental sustainability practices at every level schoolwide. 

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE 

The NOLS Sustainability Initiative gained even more momentum this year. Sustainability 

at NOLS doesn’t mean just reducing our impact; we want to teach others how to as well. 

Our five-year plan includes goals pertaining to conservation, education, and outreach, and 

we made significant strides in each of these areas. 

Highlights from 2010: 

• Exceeded our 2010 schoolwide carbon goal of a 10% reduction below 2006 levels. 

• Received over $370,000 in grant funding to retrofit our Wyoming facilities for greater 

energy efficiency. 

• NOLS Teton Valley’s solar project (grant and NOLS funded) will cover nearly 30% of 

their energy usage. 

110 


REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT 

With a few carbon measurements under our belt and one reduction goal already met (see graph), we 

feel good about the path we’re taking, but we know we can’t rest easy based on our early successes. 

We’re committed to continuing to reduce our facility emissions, to move forward with transportation 

efficiencies, and to measure the impact of our instructor travel to course locations. Each time we 

measure our carbon footprint, we learn how to manage it a little bit better. 

In terms of this catalog, we strive to reduce our footprint by choosing paper with high recycled 

content. This year, by using New Leaf Paper’s Primavera and Frontier, and West Linn Paper Company’s 

Nature, NOLS saved the following resources: 224 trees, 88,687 gallons of water, more than 

8 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, over 10,000 pounds of solid waste, and 139 million 

BTUs of energy. * 

* 

Paper calcaulations based on research by Environmental Defense and other members of the Paper Task Force. 

Metric Tons of CO 2 Emissions 

2000 

1800 

1600 

1400 

1200 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

1,865 

WE MET OUR 2010 

GOAL IN 2009! 

1,572 

Goal: 1,679* 

Goal: 1,306 

2006 2009 2010 2020 

• Created a NOLS student impact poster to highlight backcountry practices that can preserve 

resources in our frontcountry lives. 

• Moved toward 100% local sourcing for rations in Mexico and India. 

• Reduced fuel use in India 50% by shifting student and instructor travel from private 

vehicles to public transportation. 

• Implemented schoolwide “Environmentally Preferable Purchasing” and “Sustainable 

Foods” protocols to raise our environmental standards. 

• Expanded our website resources (check us out at www.nols.edu/creating_a_climate_for_ 

change). 

• Reduced vehicle emissions by replacing gasoline vehicles with more efficient diesel 

counterparts that can transport more students with fewer trips. 

• Hosted the Popo Agie Riverbank Clean-Up community event in Lander, Wyoming, to 

make our community green spaces greener. 

SUSTAINABLE PRINTING PROCESSES 

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sets forth principles, criteria, and standards that span 

economic, social, and environmental concerns. Like last year, both the papers and printer 

we’ve chosen for this year’s catalog are FSC chain-of-custody certified. Furthermore, one 

paper mill is just 25 miles away from the printer in Portland, Oregon, which keeps the bulk 

of the project local and minimizes the transportation of paper. The result is not only a great 

final product, but one that contributes to conservation, responsible management, and the local 

economy while creating markets for better recycled paper options. We also post a virtual 

paper catalog and a PDF version to www.nols.edu as paperless alternatives to the hard copy. 

WHAT CAN YOU DO? 

As a NOLS student, you can join our conservation and alternative energy efforts. Carbon 

offsetting is a small, yet worthwhile, last step you can take before heading into the backcountry 

for your NOLS expedition. While planning travel to your course location, visit 

www.nols.edu and use our Travel Calculator to buy offsets. 

FPO: 

FSC Logo & info here 


At NOLS, you won’t just read about biology, you’ll experience 

it. Wind River Range, Wyoming 

Ignacio Grez 

Traveling through fragile ecosystems can be a challenge, 

but with the right Leave No Trace skills it’s a 

breeze. Chugach Mountains, Alaska 

111

YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NOLS IS A LIFELONG EXPEDITION 

Alumni Benefits and Networks 

We’re all that and a bag of chalk. Don’t think your NOLS 

adventure ends after taking a course. NOLS grads reap benefits 

beyond technical skills, college credit, and wilderness experience 

long after their course is over. 

SOCIAL NETWORKING 

• Alumni Representatives: Most of our students learn about 

NOLS from a grad. Become a volunteer to help spread the word. 

• Alumni Chapters: A chance to join other NOLS alumni in 

your area for outings, networking, social events, and more. 

• NOLS.TV: Find videos that capture the NOLS experience at 

www.youtube.com/nols1965 and www.vimeo.com/nols. 

• Facebook: Become a fan of NOLS at www.facebook.com/nolspage. 

• Flickr: Share your course photos at www.flickr.com/groups/nols. 

• Twitter: Follow “nols_alumni” or “NOLSedu” and catch up 

on NOLS news in 140 characters or less. 

ALUMNI RESOURCES 

• NOLS Alumni Website: From reunion details to obtaining 

your transcripts and evaluations, www.nols.edu/alumni is 

your one-stop source. 

• The Leader: Our alumni newsletter brings you school news 

and alumni adventures three times a year. 

• NOLS Alumni Jobsnetwork: A free electronic subscription 

sends outdoor job openings to your inbox every day. 

• NOLS Store: Books, gear, gifts, and more at www.nols.edu/store. 

ALUMNI EVENTS 

• Alumni Courses: Demanding backcountry trips reserved 

specifically for NOLS expedition grads. 

• Alumni Trips: Shorter backcountry trips designed for alumni, 

friends, and families. 

• Alumni Seminars: Short, skills-intensive workshops for 

alumni, friends, and families. A great way to learn a new skill. 

• Alumni Reunions: Get-togethers and presentations organized 

by alumni volunteers in your area. 

• For a full inventory of alumni trips and events, visit 

www.nols.edu/alumni. 

Brad Christensen 

Rich Brame 

Keep a finger on the pulse of NOLS, visit http://nols.blogs.com. 

Top: The excitement never ends! NOLS Social Networking Engineer William Roth 

checks in online to see what NOLS grads around the world are up to. NOLS Headquarters. 

Center: Take friends and family on an alumni trip and show them what NOLS is all 

about. Wind River Range, Wyoming. Bottom: Find solitude and beauty in the wilderness 

for the rest of your life. Dolomites, Italy 

Rich Brame 

112 


RISK MANAGEMENT AT NOLS 

Ashley Wise 

Marco Johnson 


Left: Hazard assessment is a key element of the NOLS curriculum. Wind River Range, Wyoming. Center: Instructors clarify risk management protocols before engaging 

students in a new skill. Blue John Canyon, Dirty Devil, Utah. Right: Student to instructor ratios average 5 to 1 and vary according to skill being taught and student age. 

Northern Icefield, Patagonia 

At NOLS we embrace the physical and emotional challenge of the 

natural environment to attain our learning objectives. NOLS courses 

are not easy and involve the pursuit of adventurous activities in 

rugged terrain in which there are real dangers. Risk, both physical 

and emotional, is an important element of a NOLS education. 

The uncertainty posed by nature combined with the judgments and 

abilities of students and staff leads to risk. Risk management, in this 

context, is the ability to make a decision when the outcome is uncertain 

and relies on our ability to perceive and quantify the risks 

we face. Risk management is taught and practiced on every course. 

NOLS is committed to promoting the physical and emotional wellbeing 

of all students and we are proud of our excellent record managing 

the risks of wilderness travel. 

Wilderness adventure involves hazards: rockfall, fast-flowing rivers, 

and steep terrain can pose a risk to even the most experienced 

outdoor leader. Activities ranging from simple day hikes to climbing 

glaciers can, due to the unpredictable forces of nature or an error in 

judgment, become dangerous and potentially life-threatening. 

Students transport their own gear; sleep outdoors, possibly in 

co-ed tent groups; prepare their own meals; and are expected to care 

for themselves in weather conditions that can be extreme. Each student 

plays an important role in the success of a NOLS course. Good 

physical conditioning and a positive mental attitude are essential. 

Our courses are expeditions that travel through remote areas 

that can create complex situations should an emergency arise. The 

majority of medical incidents that might occur are simple and often 

treated in the field. A more serious incident, such as a fracture, 

will require evacuation to a medical facility. It is not uncommon 

to be days from medical help, but NOLS instructors are trained in 

wilderness first aid and backed by comprehensive wilderness emergency 

response and evacuation systems. 

We carry satellite telephones, radios, or other electronic communication 

devices on each course for life threatening emergencies, 

but this does not guarantee communication from the field to 

our support bases. Portable telephones and radios can be unreliable 

depending on terrain, atmospheric conditions, and other variables. 

It is important you understand that there are risks. Some adventure 

programs say that they can guarantee your safety. NOLS 

does not. The risk of injury, even serious injury or death, is always 

present in the outdoor environment. Indeed, much of the value of 

a NOLS course lies in learning how to identify hazards and adapt 

behavior to strive to avoid injury or illness. 

INDEPENDENT STUDENT TRAVEL 

On many courses, one of the ways we help you develop into an 

outdoor leader is by giving you the opportunity to travel without 

instructors. Our students say that this is a highlight of their course 

and one of the best ways that they learn to be leaders. 

By the second week, you will travel in student groups without 

instructors for a day at a time. To prepare for this you’ll have 

classes and gain practical experience in backcountry travel while 

being coached by your instructors as they help you develop your 

leadership skills. 

If your instructors decide that your group is ready, the culminating 

experience of many courses is the student expedition where, 

for several days, you and a few of your coursemates will travel 

without an instructor. Your instructors help the course divide into 

groups, select a leader, and plan a route. You will know your instructors’ 

route and campsites (no more than a day away), instructors 

will carry a phone, and each student group will carry a satellite 

location transmitter or phone. You and your group make the daily 

leadership decisions but still have all the benefits of NOLS’ support 

systems. 

LEADERS IN WILDERNESS EDUCATION 

When you come to NOLS, you will be attending the school that 

sets the standards in wilderness risk management, wilderness medicine, 

and student well-being. We have published one of the leading 

texts on wilderness medicine, and the Wilderness Medicine 

Institute of NOLS (WMI) is at the cutting edge of this growing 

field. We are the leaders in promoting professional standards in 

wilderness risk management and each year convene the Wilderness 

Risk Management Conference for outdoor educators and adventure 

program administrators. 

Before you arrive on your NOLS course, thoroughly read all 

materials we send you and call us if you have questions. A report 

on NOLS risk management and history is available from our admission 

office. 

113

APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS POLICIES 

HOW TO APPLY 

The easiest way to apply for a NOLS course is online at www.nols.edu. 

You can also fill out the application in this catalog and fax or mail it 

along with the $65 non-refundable application fee. After reviewing 

your application, we will enroll you on the course of your choice. If 

appropriate, be sure to provide several choices in order of preference. 

An enrollment packet containing a course description, equipment 

list, travel information, and other materials to help you prepare 

for your course will be forwarded to you. You must return the following 

information from the enrollment packet: 

• health form 

• student agreement and release form 

• insurance form 

• statement of good standing, transcript, and student information 

form (semester students only) 

All forms and a $500 non-refundable deposit are due 14 days 

after the receipt of your packet. The remaining tuition is due 75 

days before your course. 

ADMISSION POLICIES 

Final acceptance is contingent upon the receipt and approval of 

the materials listed above. NOLS seeks students who are motivated 

to learn outdoor skills and develop leadership, are in good health 

physically and emotionally, and are socially responsible. 

NOLS is not an appropriate choice for individuals dealing 

with behavioral, motivational, or rehabilitation issues. We will deny 

admission to anyone we believe to be unable to meet the physical, 

mental, social, or safety demands of our courses. 

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY 

NOLS students come to us from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some 

have quite a bit of outdoor experience; many others’ greatest outdoor 

accomplishment has been sleeping out in their backyard. If you are 

in good health physically and emotionally and are motivated to learn 

you can excel on a NOLS course. The desire to learn and participate 

is the most important factor for success. 

STUDENT BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE 

NOLS will expel any student who exhibits behavior that is unsafe or 

disrupts or distracts from the educational mission of a course. Harassment; 

use of alcohol, illegal drugs, and other substances; misuse of 

prescription medications; theft or misuse of property; low motivation; 

and disregarding instructions are examples of behavior that will lead 

to expulsion. If a student is expelled, there will be no refund. 

CANCELLATION POLICIES 

For all semesters, academic years, and courses in India, if you cancel 

or leave for any reason: 

• between 30 and 60 days from the course starting date, NOLS 

will retain 25 percent of the course tuition. 



• less than 15 days prior to the course starting date or once the 

course has begun, there will be no refunds. 

No experience necessary: A good attitude and a desire to learn are the most important 

factors for success on a NOLS course. Snow King Peak, North Cascades, Washington 

For all other courses, if you cancel or leave for any reason: 





• less than 8 days prior to the course starting date or once the 

course has begun, there will be no refunds. 

TRANSFER POLICIES 

For semesters, academic years, and courses in India, if you transfer 

from one course to another: 

• more than 60 days prior to the first course starting date, there 

will be a $50 processing charge. 

• 60 days or less prior to the course starting date, regular cancellation 

and refund charges will apply. 

For all other courses, if you transfer courses: 

• 30 or more days prior to the first course starting date, there 

will be a $50 processing charge. 

• 29 days or less prior to the course starting date, regular cancellation 

and refund charges apply. 

Although we rarely need to do so, we reserve the right to cancel a 

course or change a course duration, tuition, or location. NOLS is not 

responsible for costs associated in these cases. We recommend that 

you consider refundable airplane tickets and tuition insurance. 

CONTACT US 

NOLS Admissions 

Phone: (800) 710-NOLS (6657) 

Fax: (307) 332-1220 

Email: admissions@nols.edu 

Talk to a NOLS Alumni Rep: alumni_reps@nols.edu 

Hours: 

Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Mountain Time 

Extended hours January 3–July 15: 

Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Mountain Time 

Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Mountain Time 


114 


NOLS APPLICATION 

The easiest way to apply for a NOLS course is online at www.nols.edu. 

Or, fill out this application and fax or mail it along with the $ 65 non-refundable application fee. 

For more information about financial aid, please visit www.nols.edu/courses/financialaid. 

NAME 

First Last Middle Preferred 

Please check only one box indicating where you want your information sent: 

PERMANENT ADDRESS ❏ Send information to this address TEMPORARY ADDRESS ❏ Send information to this address 

Address good from: / / to: / / 

Street (include apt., box, etc.) 

City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Street (include apt., box, etc.) 

Permanent Phone Number City State/Province Zip/Postal Code 

Cell Phone Number 

Temporary Phone Number 

E-mail address 

Birthdate / / Age Sex ❏F ❏M Height Weight 

Citizen of 

Names and ages of siblings 

ETHNIC ORIGIN (Optional. Your response will help us meet student needs more effectively.) 

U.S. citizens: ❏ American Indian or Alaska Native ❏ Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ❏ Asian 

❏ Hispanic ❏ White ❏ Two or more races ❏ Other 

Non-U.S. citizens: Please specify your race/ethnicity 

❏ Black or African American 

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT NOLS? 

❏ NOLS Graduate (who?) 

❏ NOLS Instructor (who?) 

❏ NOLS Parent (who?) 

❏ NOLS Staff (who?) 

❏ Magazine/newspaper article ❏ Television program ❏ Educational consultant ❏ Outdoor retail store 

❏ Conference/trade show ❏ School counselor or teacher ❏ Web search ❏ NOLS catalog ❏ Parent/friend 

EDUCATION AND WORK HISTORY 

Current or last school attended 

Are you currently enrolled ❏Yes ❏No If yes, estimated year of completion: 

Highest level completed (check one): ❏H.S. Diploma ❏B.A./B.S. ❏M.A./M.S. ❏Ph.D. Other 

Employer Title Industry 

PARENT/LEGAL GUARDIAN INFORMATION (required for students age 25 or younger) 

❏ Mother (Mrs.,Ms.,Dr.)or ❏ Legal Guardian 1 ❏ Father (Mr., Dr.) or ❏ Legal Guardian 2 

❏ Address is the same as the student’s permanent address. ❏ Address is the same as the student’s permanent address. 

First name Last name Middle Initial First name Last name Middle Initial 



City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country 

Home Phone Number Work Phone Number Home Phone Number Work Phone Number 


E-mail 


E-mail 

Employer Title Employer Title 

COURSE REGISTRATION 

Have you applied for a NOLS course before? ❏ Yes ❏ No Course Course Date / / 

Indicate your course selections in order of preference. If available, we will enroll you in one of these. 

1 st Choice Course Title Start date 

2 nd Choice Course Title Start date 

3 rd Choice Course Title Start date 

Outdoor Educator Applicants: Are you currently employed, or are you seeking employment, in outdoor education? ❏ Yes ❏ No 

(continued on the other side) 

115

STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRE 

This questionnaire is designed to help you identify your reasons for electing to pursue a NOLS course, while providing us with an 

opportunity to get to know you better. 

What has been your greatest success in the last six months? 

A NOLS course is very physically demanding. Describe your regular physical activities or sports, including what types of exercise 

you do, how often and for how long. If you do not exercise regularly, tell us how you plan to prepare for your course. 

A NOLS course requires that all participants commit physically, mentally, and emotionally to the success of the expedition. Identify 

an activity to which you have made a major commitment. Describe how you demonstrated that commitment. 

PERSON TO NOTIFY IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY (required for all applicants) 

Name 

Phone 

Home Work Cell 

Address 

Street City State/Province Zip/Postal Code Country 

Relationship to applicant (check one): ❏ parent ❏ spouse ❏ other relative ❏ friend ❏ guardian ❏ employer ❏ partner 

I have read, understand, accept and agree to abide by the rules, policies and guidelines set forth in this catalog. I understand that the 

relationship between me and NOLS will be governed by the substantive laws of the State of Wyoming and any suit, mediation or 

arbitration of any dispute with NOLS must be filed exclusively in the State of Wyoming. I understand that I am not accepted on 

my course until all enrollment forms have been received and approved by the NOLS Admission Office. I give NOLS permission to 

share my contact information with other NOLS students or graduates and/or with environmental organizations or strategic partners 

in which NOLS graduates may be interested. I also give NOLS permission to use my name, contact information and picture 

in promotional materials and press releases. 

Signature of Applicant Date / / 

Signature of Parent or Guardian is also required, to reflect agreement, if applicant is under 18 years of age: 

Date / / 

Applications without the application fee will not be processed. Complete the credit card information below or attach the $ 65 

application fee, payable to NOLS, to the front of application and forward to: 

NOLS Admission Office 

284 Lincoln Street 

Lander, WY 82520-2848 

(800) 710-NOLS (6657) 

admissions@nols.edu 

NOLS also accepts applications by fax: (307) 332-1220 

If faxing, the application fee must be paid by credit card. 

Please charge my application fee to my ❏ VISA 

❏ MasterCard 

Name on card: 

Signature: 

Expiration Date: 

Catalog 2011 

Account number:

WE WROTE THE BOOKS 

ON WILDERNESS EDUCATION 

NEW 

Bear Essentials 

Hiking and Camping in Bear Country 

NOLS Bear Essentials: 

Hiking and Camping 

in Bear Country 

NEW 

By John Gookin and Tom 

Reed, $9.95, 4” x 6”, 84 pages 

1st edition © 2009 NOLS 

Published by Stackpole Books 

River Rescue 

Essential Skills for Boaters 

NOLS River Rescue: 

Essential Skills 

for Boaters 

NEW 

By Nate Ostis 

$9.95, 4” x 6”, 106 pages 

1st edition © 2010 NOLS 


COOKERY 

NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL 

Field Edition 

NOLS Cookery: 

Field Edition 

Edited by Claudia Pearson 

$19.95, 4” x 6”, 96 pages 

waterproof, spiral-bound 

© 2010 NOLS 


John Gookin and Tom Reed 

Nate Ostis 

Edited by Claudia Pearson 

NOLS students benefit from over 45 years of curriculum innovation, but you 

don’t have to spend 30 days in the backcountry to get a taste of NOLS expertise. 

Our library of wilderness books contains titles ranging from wildland ethics to 

wilderness medicine. 

Used in university classrooms and an essential part of any outdoor book 

collection, NOLS titles represent the cutting edge in outdoor literature. 

The textbooks of wilderness skills from the leader in wilderness education. 

Available at www.nols.edu/store or your local bookseller. 

NOLS Library of Wilderness Skills: 

The National Outdoor Leadership School’s 

Wilderness Guide 

NOLS Wilderness Medicine 

NOLS Wilderness Mountaineering 

NOLS Soft Paths: How to Enjoy the 

Wilderness Without Harming It 

NOLS Cookery 

NOLS Wilderness Ethics: Valuing and 

Managing Wild Places 

NOLS Wilderness Navigation 

NOLS Winter Camping 

NOLS Wilderness Wisdom 

NOLS Backcountry Cooking: Creative Menu 

Planning for Short Trips 

NOLS Backcountry Nutrition: Eating Beyond 

the Basics 

WMI Titles: 

Backcountry First Aid and Extended Care 

Wilderness First Responder Textbook 

New NOLS Titles Coming Soon: 

NOLS Expedition Planning 

NOLS Mountain Weather 

Fredrik Norrsell

The National Outdoor Leadership School 

284 Lincoln Street 

Lander, Wyoming 82520-2848 

www.nols.edu | admissions@nols.edu 

Phone: (800) 710-NOLS | Fax: (307) 332-1220 

EDUCATIONAL MEMBER 

www.adventurecollection.com 

Expedition leadership means setting goals, planning, teamwork, and achievement. It’s a model that works everywhere, from the 

classroom to the boardroom. Tolerance for adversity, vision and action, expedition behavior: These are some of the NOLS skills 

you’ll master as you become a leader. Other programs talk about leadership. At NOLS, you’ll do it! 

(800) 710-NOLS • www.nols.edu 

THE NATIONAL OUTDOOR LEADERSHIP SCHOOL • 2011 COURSE CATALOG

to our world. - NOLS

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