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36-foot Catalina cruisers will be your home and classroom during the sailing section.
Photo: Alan Neilson |
The wilderness of the Northwest—your home for two and a half months—is like no other region in the country. In close proximity to the NOLS Pacific Northwest headquarters are steep, heavily glaciated mountains, impressive forests of towering evergreens, outstanding rock climbing areas, and miles of wilderness coastline. You’ll explore all these environments, from jamming your hands into granite cracks on a climb to taking the helm of a 36-foot sailboat in British Columbia waters.
Throughout, you’ll be experiencing things few other semesters at NOLS offer, including keelboat sailing in Canada and a coastal hiking section where you’ll study the coast’s marine life and end at the Makah Indian Nation.
From the snow-capped peaks and clear mountain lakes to old-growth forests and tidal waters, you’ll explore, navigate, learn, and practice your skills, returning home with a solid foundation in wilderness expeditioning.
Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
Hosted by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS, this 16-hour section covers first aid specific to wilderness emergencies and is essential for anyone spending extended time in the outdoors.
Rock Climbing
At a base camp at one of the Northwest’s many great climbing areas, you’ll immerse yourself in the finer points of rock climbing techniques and systems. You’ll progress at your own speed, moving into skills such as belay and rappel techniques and protection placement. There will be an emphasis on risk management throughout this section as you advance from single pitch to multi-pitch climbing.
Coastal Backpacking
Natural history abounds as you travel though the splendid environments of Olympic National Park. On the coast, you’ll visit the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and then embark on a coastal expedition, studying life in tidal pools and camping and traveling beside the ocean. You’ll learn about tide charts, weather patterns, and identifying coastal hazards. You’ll also visit the Makah Cultural Center for a glimpse into the region’s human history. This section culminates in a student led expedition.
Sailing
A 36-foot sailboat will be your moving classroom during this segment of your adventure. Boats will sail in pairs, each carrying five students and one instructor, as you learn the finer points of seamanship, including how to handle your boat under sail or power and navigate using charts. This will also be a test of your leadership and expedition behavior as you and your coursemates live on board as one tight-knit crew.
Sea Kayaking (optional dates only)
You’ll paddle the remote waters of British Columbia’s central coast while learning a range of technical skills, from basic to advanced sea kayaking strokes to weather awareness and knowledge of tides and currents.
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Mountains serve as the walls of your backcountry classroom as you learn skills that will let you explore them.
Photo: Alexis Alloway |
Mountain Travel (optional dates only)
The intricacies of backcountry living are revealed as you move through this stunning environment, from packing your pack efficiently to staying warm and dry in a wet and sometimes chilly climate. You’ll travel in canoes for four days of this section to see the area from a unique perspective, and then you’ll hike up through forested valleys to areas of snow and ice where you’ll learn specialized mountaineering skills such as ice axe and crampon use, rope systems, and crevasse rescue.
Semester
in the Pacific Northwest
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| Duration: |
80 days |
| Age |
18 and Over (Average Age: 21) |
| Tuition: |
$11,000 |
| Financial Aid Options: |
NOLS Scholarships
Federal Financial Aid |
| Dates: |
August 19-November 6, 2009
Section 1: Wilderness First Aid, Rock Climbing, Coastal Backpacking, Sailing, Sea Kayaking
August 26-November 13, 2009
Section 2: Wilderness First Aid, Rock Climbing, Coastal Backpacking, Sailing, Mountain Travel
September 9-November 27, 2009
Section 3&4: Wilderness First Aid, Rock Climbing, Coastal Backpacking, Sailing, Mountain Travel
September 22-December 10, 2009
Section 5: Wilderness First Aid, Rock Climbing, Coastal Backpacking, Sailing, Mountain Travel |
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: |
Conway, Washington |
| Equipment Deposit: |
$700 |
| Fly in/out: |
Seattle, Washington |
| Downloads: |
Course Description
(pdf)
Equipment List
(pdf) |
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Next Steps
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Related Courses
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