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Discover the amazing variety of desert life in Baja, a land where the mountains meet the sea.
Photo: Alexis Alloway |
Flanked by the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sea of Cortez on the east, the Baja California Peninsula is a land of extremes and contrasts.
Granite and volcanic mountain ranges extend over 1,000 miles down the peninsula’s central spine, and Picacho del Diablo, a 10,126-foot peak in the northern mountains, is snow-covered in winter months. The rest of Baja California, while still very rugged and mountainous, is Sonoran Desert country, receiving less than 10 inches of rainfall a year.
Here exists an amazing variety of desert life, including more than 110 species of cacti. For three months, you’ll explore these contrasting environments on foot, in a sea kayak, and under sail while having ample opportunities for cultural and Spanish language interactions with local students, educators, ranchers, and fishermen. You will learn the skills you need to visit these ecosystems and communities comfortably and responsibly in the future.
Backpacking
Starting with Leave No Trace camping, route selection, map reading, risk management, and hazard evaluation, your backpacking section takes you deep into the desert and mountains of beautiful Mexico. Classes include discussions on group dynamics, leadership, geology, wildlife identification, and maybe some informal Spanish instruction.
Sailing
Your mode of travel for this section will be a 22-foot Drascombe Longboat, which lets you explore remote coves that larger sailing vessels can’t reach. You’ll move along the coastline, camping on shore and hoisting sail during the day. Expect to learn coastal navigation, teamwork, seamanship, anchoring, sail trim, line handling, and steering, as well as snorkeling and diving to check out fish and your anchors!
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Surf's up! Instructor Fabio Oliveira and student Emmy Hanson hit the water for class. As your kayaking skills improve, you'll be able to take on more and more exhilarating waves.
Photo: Julie Brown |
Sea Kayaking
Along with learning coastal kayaking skills like navigation, rolling, surfing, and paddle strokes, you’ll focus on free diving skills, water risk management, and, perhaps, spear fishing. Desert natural history classes happen when the sea is too rough for travel. Some semesters make an open water crossing to explore the uninhabited islands of the Gulf of California.
Culture
Throughout your semester you’ll learn about Baja’s culture and history, gaining insight into the diversity of lifestyles of Baja residents—sometimes en español! Opportunities include visits with local staff during course preparation, travel to remote fishing villages like San Nicolás, tortilla-making classes with ranchero families high in the Sierra, and exchanges with the local university community.
Semester in Baja
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| Duration: |
78 days |
| Age: |
17 and Over (Average age: 20) |
| Tuition: |
Spring: $11,500
Fall: $11,810 |
| Financial Aid Options: |
NOLS Scholarships
Federal Financial Aid |
| Dates: |
Spring
January 14-April 1, 2010
Backpacking, Sea Kayaking, Sailing
Spring
January 21-April 8, 2010
Backpacking, Sailing, Sea Kayaking
Fall
September 8-November 24, 2010
September 22-December 8, 2010
Backpacking, Sailing, Sea Kayaking
Fall
September 22-December 8, 2010
Backpacking, Sea Kayaking, Sailing
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College Credit:
(Optional) |
16
Semester Credit Hours
4 Hours Biology
2 Hours Environmental Ethics
2 Hours Leadership Techniques
6 Hours Skills Practicum
2 Hours Risk Assessment |
| Course start/end: |
Mulege, BCS, Mexico |
| Equipment Deposit: |
$500 |
| Fly in/out: |
Call Admissions |
| Downloads: |
Fall Semester
Course Description (pdf)
Equipment List (pdf)
Spring Semester
Course Description (pdf)
Equipment
List (pdf)
Reading List
(pdf) |
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Next Steps
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Related Courses
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Additional Suggested Reading
The Cave Paintings of Baja California, Harry Crosby
The Last of the Californios, Harry Crosby
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