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Useful Tips, Tricks, and Tidbits
This page gives a few tips, tricks and gear ideas that may help you on various NOLS alumni trips, NOLS expeditions or other outdoor adventures. There are many ways to skin a cat, so take these ideas as just that— tidbits that you might find useful in the outdoors.
If you have a suggested item, cool trick or helpful tidbit, email it here.
Rafting & Canoeing Alumni Trips:
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Waterproof Box - keep your camera happy in a crush, sand, and waterproof box. Check out Pelican and Otter brands. |
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Recipe - Chappaties (makes four 5-inch flat breads)
Ingredients: 1/2 c. white or wheat flour; 1/2 c. cornmeal; pinch salt; 1/2 c. water; margarine for frying; toppings - sliced cheese, bacon bits, chopped onions, cayenne and/or Tabasco.
Directions: Combine all ingredients except marg and toppings. Form into very thin patties and fry lightly in the greased pan until golden. After first turn, add toppings and cover with lid to help cheese melt.
(nice group kitchen site and bold hats, huh?)
Get your NOLS Cookery here, or send your recipe.
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Sarong - lightweight, loose and comfortable woman's garb for around camp (pick a cool pattern, or wacky color... click on the picture to check out the sarong on the far right).
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River of No Return by Conley & Carrey - a detailed and definitive history of Idaho's Salmon River. |
Gannett Peak Alumni Climbing Trip:
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Figure Eight Follow-Through - useful for tying your climbing harness into a rope or anchor. If you can tie this puppy with your peepers closed, you're on the right track. |
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Recipe - Cheese Carumba
Ingredients: 1 c. grated, crumbled, or diced cheese; 4 Tbs. wheat flour; 1/4 tsp. salt; cayenne or hot sauce to taste; 1/4 tsp. cumin; 1 Tbs. cold water
Directions: Combine all ingredients- add more flour/water as needed to form thick dough. Roll & cut into squares. Fry both sides in an oiled pan. Remove, let sit a few minutes. Shake on extra cumin, cayenne or hot sauce as your tongue desires.
Get your NOLS Cookery here, or send your recipe.
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NOLS Wilderness Mountaineering by Phil Powers - a useful reference for all aspects of mountaineering. |
Yukon Alumni Canoe Trip:
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Crazy Creek Chair - if you can carry it, one of these portable camp chairs makes a great way to keep yer hinder off the ground.
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Song of the Paddle by Bill Mason - A great book for wilderness instruction and inspiration by the grand guru of Canadian canoeing. |
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Bowline - a fine knot for tying your canoe to shore. |
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Bug Shirts for the North - light, bug-proof shirt made mostly of netting. Its zip-over face cover tents nicely over a ballcap while you're in the Yukon.
This shirt'll make you grin- just like the picture. |
India Himalaya Alumni Trekking Trip:
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The Rough Guide to Hindi and Urdu Dictionary Phrasebook - It's handy to have at least a few Hindi words while trekking. Like your mom always said: "It never hurts to say please and thank you."
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India: An Illustrated History by Kishore & Ganpati - This is a 200-page, well-regarded overview of India's history. |
Wind River Fly Fishing Alumni Trip:
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Improved Clinch Knot - useful for tying flies to the end of your leader or tippet. |
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Curtis Creek Manifesto by Sheridan Anderson - an entertaining, comicbook-style read on all aspects of fly fishing.
"Let not thy shadow, nor that of thy rod fall upon the waters."
— #6 of Sheridan Anderson's Eleven Commandments (of fly fishing) |
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Surgeon's Knot - useful for tying leader and tippet segments together. |
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Crazy Creek Chair - If you can carry it, you too will be shocked by the style, sophistication and comfort this backcountry chair lends to any environment. Note the cool logo!
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Fly Rods - The lakes and streams of the Wind River Mountains are easily fished by weight 4-6 fly rods that break into 2-7 pieces for easy carrying. Pick your brand, but make sure it gets in a sturdy case. NOLS issues Orvis fly rods in Wyoming.
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Nymphs, Dry Flies & Streamers - We'll supply you all the fishing gear you need, including flies, but if you're itchin' to bring some of your own, here are some good patterns for the Winds: Hare's Ear, Olive Scud, Pheasant Tail, Elk Hair Caddis, Adams Parachute, Stimulator, Muddler, Wooly Bugger and Yarn Leach. |
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The River Why by David Duncan - a humorous novel on the philosophical and existential underpinnings of fly fishing. |
This page is a work in progress, so check back often. We'll update and refresh the pictures and information regularly.
Contact: email us for more information, or to suggest additional tidbits.
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