Kayak with the ice floes in Patagonia. Photo: Craig Lenske

You begin your semester in Coyhaique, Chile, for three days of wilderness first aid training before stepping into the backcountry for 80 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.

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.

Crossing Patagonia's wild rivers takes patient decision-making and good judgement. Photo: Rich Brame

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.

Indepentent Student Group Travel 
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.

Semester in Patagonia Duration: 80 days Age: 18 and Older (Average age: 21) Tuition: January start: $14,275 September start: $14,600 Dates: January start January 11-March 31, 2010 January 19-April 8, 2010 WFA, Mountain Travel, Sea Kayaking, Backpacking September start September 22-December 10, 2010 September 29-December 17, 2010 WFA, Mountain Travel, Sea Kayaking, Backpacking College Credit: (Optional) 16 Semester Credit Hours 4 hours Biology 2 hours Environmental Ethics 2 hours Leadership Techniques 4 hours Skills Practicum 4 hours Risk Assessment Course start/end: Please contact the NOLS admission office for details Equipment Deposit: $500 Fly in/out: Please contact the NOLS admission office for details Downloads: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

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