SEMESTER ON THE Borders THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, THIS IS ONE of the most geographically diverse semesters at <strong>NOLS</strong>. Y<strong>our</strong> adventure will begin in the desert Southwest, a land of cactus and javelina, and as winter subsides you will move north, <strong>to</strong> 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 <strong>to</strong> be a wellrounded wilderness traveler on land and sea. You’ll begin at <strong>NOLS</strong> Southwest in Tucson, Arizona, for wilderness first aid, backpacking, and climbing, and then transition <strong>to</strong> <strong>NOLS</strong> Pacific Northwest outside Seattle, Washing<strong>to</strong>n, for sailing and sea kayaking. From scaling a rock wall in Arizona <strong>to</strong> slicing through the waters of British Columbia, you’ll have the time of y<strong>our</strong> life and see just how versatile the <strong>NOLS</strong> curriculum is. Thirty-six-foot Catalina keelboats will be both y<strong>our</strong> transportation and y<strong>our</strong> home on y<strong>our</strong> sailing section. Smuggler Cove, British Columbia WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) Hosted by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of <strong>NOLS</strong>, this 16-h<strong>our</strong> section covers first aid specific <strong>to</strong> 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 <strong>to</strong> keep you roped up and cranking hard. The area’s tall domes make it an ideal base from which <strong>to</strong> learn <strong>to</strong>p-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 <strong>to</strong> sail and navigate 36-foot keelboats, each carrying a group of students and an instruc<strong>to</strong>r. 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: <strong>to</strong>p-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 <strong>to</strong> advanced sea kayaking strokes <strong>to</strong> 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 Age and Length: 17 & Over • Average Age: 21 • Duration: 86 days Tuition: $13,465 Optional College Credit: 4 h<strong>our</strong>s Biology, 2 h<strong>our</strong>s Environmental Ethics, 2 h<strong>our</strong>s Leadership Techniques, 6 h<strong>our</strong>s Skills Practicum, 2 h<strong>our</strong>s Risk Management Dates: page 106 50 www.nols.edu • (800) 710-<strong>NOLS</strong> • admissions@nols.edu
SOUTHWEST Rainbow Weins<strong>to</strong>ck 51