ALASKA Madhu Chikkaraju 56 www.nols.edu • (800) 710-<strong>NOLS</strong> • admissions@nols.edu
The boundlessness of the place will grab you first, for there is nowhere as far-flung as Alaska. It will alter y<strong>our</strong> concept of space. Glaciers calve in<strong>to</strong> the sea, Arctic tundra stretches beyond the horizon, rugged and expansive mountains reach in<strong>to</strong> 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 <strong>our</strong> state-of-the-art headquarters in the his<strong>to</strong>ric Matanuska Valley outside Palmer or one of <strong>our</strong> operations bases in Fairbanks or Petersburg, we’ll outfit you with everything you need for an expedition in<strong>to</strong> the wild. No other organization offers the breadth of opportunities in Alaska that <strong>NOLS</strong> does, from the Arctic Circle <strong>to</strong> the Southcentral coastal ranges <strong>to</strong> the Southeast archipelagos. Backpacking, sea kayaking, or mountaineering: no matter how you choose <strong>to</strong> explore Alaska, you’ll learn with <strong>NOLS</strong> all you need <strong>to</strong> know about living and traveling in this vast wilderness. ALASKA Tracy Baynes/STEP Elliot Johns<strong>to</strong>n Learn <strong>to</strong> navigate y<strong>our</strong> way through Alaska's awe-inspiring fjords by sea kayak. Harriman Fjord, Prince William Sound Become one with the rhythm of <strong>our</strong> 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 c<strong>our</strong>ses paddle in Alaska’s <strong>world</strong> famous Prince William Sound, past <strong>to</strong>wering 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 <strong>to</strong> 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 y<strong>our</strong> gear s<strong>to</strong>wed in y<strong>our</strong> boat, but you’ll have opportunities <strong>to</strong> play as well. There are fish <strong>to</strong> catch and so many things <strong>to</strong> learn about in y<strong>our</strong> surroundings. You’ll hone y<strong>our</strong> wilderness skills, have fun, and practice y<strong>our</strong> leadership as you explore wild, wonderful Alaska. DETAILS Age and Length: 23 & Over • Average age: 33 • Duration: 14 days Tuition: $3,310 Optional College Credit: 2 h<strong>our</strong>s Skills Practicum Dates: page 106 SOUTHEAST ALASKA SEA KAYAKING Since 1971, <strong>NOLS</strong> students have been exploring the wilds of Alaska in sea kayaks. There’s no better way <strong>to</strong> take in Alaska’s dramatic coastline than by gliding on the water. Y<strong>our</strong> launching point for this c<strong>our</strong>se 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 <strong>to</strong> neck-craning heights. Much of y<strong>our</strong> time will be spent near Kuiu Island, an ancient forest home <strong>to</strong> black bears, wolves, Sitka black-tailed deer, moose, and river otters. You’ll learn <strong>to</strong> 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 Age and Length: 16 & Over • Average age: 18 • Duration: 30 days 16 & 17 Only • Duration: 30 days Tuition: $4,100 Optional College Credit: 2 h<strong>our</strong>s Environmental Ethics, 2 h<strong>our</strong>s Leadership Techniques, 2 h<strong>our</strong>s Skills Practicum Dates: page 106 Facing page: A snow class at <strong>NOLS</strong>. Soon "rest step" and "self arrest" will be part of y<strong>our</strong> outdoor vocabulary. Matanuska Glacier 57
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