to our world. - NOLS

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