to our world. - NOLS

SEMESTER IN THE
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.
DETAILS SPRING FALL
Age and Length: 17 & Over • Average age: 20 • Duration: 88 days
Tuition: $11,725 (spring); $11,990 (fall)
Optional College Credit: 4 hours Biology, 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Leadership Techniques, 6 hours
Skills Practicum, 2 hours Risk Management
Dates: page 106
48
www.nols.edu • (800) 710-NOLS • admissions@nols.edu