to our world. - NOLS

SEMESTER IN
Patagonia
Pod up! Work together to navigate to the next take-out. Canal Martinez
Kyle Hammons
DEEMED ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING
NOLS courses, the Semester in Patagonia has
strong leadership outcomes on account of adapting
to and operating in harsh weather. Teamwork,
communication, and problem solving are critical
to the success of this expedition. You begin your
semester in Coyhaique, Chile, for five days of wilderness
first aid training and expedition preparation
before stepping into the backcountry for 75
days. Once on this unique continuous expedition,
your transition between sections includes swapping
gear in the field with another Patagonia semester
group on an opposite route.
You’ll hike and camp in Patagonia’s valleys
and mountains and sea kayak in breathtaking
archipelagos, stopping to visit with locals along
the way. The grand finale of this remote adventure
is the extended student expedition, when you
and a small group of your peers earn the privilege
of planning and traveling a route on your own.
Betsy Winston
A shared cup of maté warms the soul and always brings
out smiles. A campo near Rio Baker
Facing page: Cramponing on dry glacier is just one
of many skills you'll learn on your Patagonia semester.
Glacier Soler
WILDERNESS FIRST AID (WFA) Before embarking into the field, you and your coursemates
will receive a 20-hour WFA training taught by staff of the Wilderness Medicine
Institute of NOLS. Fast paced and hands-on, this three-day course covers a wide range of
wilderness medicine topics for people who travel and work in the outdoors.
MOUNTAIN TRAVEL You’ll move up remote mountain valleys, plan daily routes, and
choose campsites. Early in the course, your instructors will lead you, helping you to read
maps, find routes, and judge and evaluate hazards. They will then step back incrementally
until you find yourself in charge. Some days you’ll be named “leader of the day” and be
responsible for a small group of your fellow coursemates. Depending on the weather and
how your entire group is progressing, you may have a chance to cross glaciers and work on
such skills as tying knots, handling ropes, and ice climbing.
SEA KAYAKING Most of Chile is off the beaten path for world travelers, and the island
chains of the southern part of the country are no exception. You’ll learn about the dynamic
environment of the region, strong currents, tidal fluctuations, and fickle weather.
Instruction will include paddling techniques, rescue skills, route planning, and coastal
weather patterns. You’ll also study the natural history of the area while you continue to
hone your leadership and communication skills.
STUDENT EXPEDITION After you’ve successfully completed the previous three sections,
you’ll move into the student expedition. Typically, groups of four to six students travel
without immediate instructor supervision for a 7- to 10-day hike through the wilds of
Patagonia. Before setting out, and under the supervision of your instructors, your group
will craft a travel plan, work out a proposed route, and get ready to use and refine what
you’ve learned over the past months.
DETAILS SPRING FALL
Age and Length: 18 & Over • Average age: 21 • Duration: 80 days
Tuition: $14,670 (spring); $14,900 (fall)
Optional College Credit: 4 hours Biology, 2 hours Environmental Ethics, 2 hours Leadership Techniques, 4 hours
Skills Practicum, 4 hours Risk Management
Dates: page 107
74
www.nols.edu • (800) 710-NOLS • admissions@nols.edu