to our world. - NOLS

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
Tracy Baynes/STEP
Elliot Johnston
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
Age and Length: 23 & Over • Average age: 33 • Duration: 14 days
Tuition: $3,310
Optional College Credit: 2 hours Skills Practicum
Dates: page 106
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
Age and Length:
16 & Over • Average age: 18 • Duration: 30 days
16 & 17 Only • Duration: 30 days
Tuition: $4,100
Optional College Credit: 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Leadership Techniques,
2 hours Skills Practicum
Dates: page 106
Facing page: A snow class at NOLS. Soon "rest step" and "self arrest" will be part of
your outdoor vocabulary. Matanuska Glacier
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