By Peter Kim,
NOLS Alumni Intern
NOLS Alumni Chapters have witnessed
a revival this past summer. All of our alumni chapters
had higher levels of participation after a period
when many chapters had changes in leadership and lulls
in activity. Here are highlights from the chapters
in Boston, New York and Colorado’s Front Range.
NOLS Boston
The Boston chapter started the year with new leaders
Brian Kruegel and Janet Bertucci and continued to
have strong summer programming. The monthly Summer
Day Hike Series continued with Mt. Chocorua in the
White Mountains of New Hampshire, and the Skyline
Trail in Blue Hills Reservation near Boston. Other
trips included a hike to Mt. Lafayette in the White
Mountains in September, and the Seven Sisters Trail
near Northampton, Mass. in October. Rounding out the
outdoor events were a monthly Walden Pond swim and
paddle, and a rafting trip, run with the New York
Chapter, on the Dead River in Maine.
Events for fall and winter include the
annual fall reunion, a trail maintenance and whisperlite
potluck, more day hikes, a cabin overnight in the
Whites, and ice climbing. The chapter’s urban
events include a Beer and Bowl Night at Lanes and
Games, which started in September, and will continue
through the fall and winter.
NOLS New York
The NYC chapter was in full swing this summer. Highlights
included sunset kayaking on the Hudson, rock climbing
in New Jersey, and whitewater rafting in Maine. Drew
Pollick hosted some challenging and fun-filled weekends
of climbing at Rick’s Rocks and assorted adventures
at the cabin also known as “NOLS NJ”.
Grads got together in early June at
Patagonia upper West side to see “Mountain of
Storms,” a movie chronicling Yvon Chouinard’s
1968 trip to Patagonia, and a slide presentation by
Kristine Tompkins about the efforts of the Patagonia
Land Trust. Later that month, 25 NOLS grads and friends
enjoyed a long lingering sunset paddle on the beautiful
and somehow serene Hudson River. Last but not least
was the NYC and Boston joint-chapter rafting trip!
The chapter will meet in early November to plan winter
events.
NOLS Colorado
Front Range
The Colorado Front Range chapter started the season
with a Solstice weekend trip to Buena Vista, where
they rafted the Arkansas River, hiked Mount Yale,
and camped in an idyllic spot outside town. Read McColloch,
a former NOLS Instructor, organized the rafting trip
as a benefit for cityWILD. Helen Gemmill, chapter
chair, reports, “The hike up Mount Yale, led
by former NOLS instructor Rob Leach, was gorgeous—it
was such a clear day that we were able to linger on
the summit for over an hour.”
The Happy Hour series will continue
into fall and winter. Future events include the annual
winter slide show at the Patagonia store in Denver,
a ski day, and a cook-off in the spring.
For more information on NOLS Alumni
Chapters or any upcoming events, you can visit click
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