Hazard assessment is an important skill on technical terrain and back in town. Cerro Largo Photo: Betsy Winston

From mountain travel on remote peaks to sea kayaking along Patagonia’s archipelagos and rock climbing at the foot of the Andes, the components of this course form a comprehensive backcountry immersion.

With a strong focus on Spanish language and cultural interaction, the Patagonia Year allows you to spend one section living and working with local poblador families. Along with developing an appreciation of Patagonian culture, you’ll also see more of this region’s remote and breathtaking scenery than most visitors.

Also, the course offers certifications for students interested in outdoor careers around the world, including Leave No Trace Master certification and Wilderness First Responder.

Backpacking
In order to have a successful year, it is essential to build a foundation of both technical and interpersonal skills. This first section of the year gives you a chance to focus on getting the basics down so you can expand to more advanced skills in the following months.

Service Project
You will participate in a backcountry service project that will positively contribute to the care of the land. This project will focus on land stewardship and will range from two to four days in length.

Wilderness First Responder (WFR) 
As part of your comprehensive wilderness education, the Year in Patagonia includes an 80-hour WFR course taught by staff of the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute.

Mountaineering
The large glaciers and rarely climbed peaks of the Patagonian Andes will be your classroom for this section. Alpine mountaineering techniques and how to live and camp in a harsh-weather Andean environment are parts of the curriculum.

Sea Kayaking
The fjords of southern Chile offer breathtaking scenery and changing weather. Your expedition into this region will include lessons in navigation, paddling techniques, rescue skills, route planning, and Patagonia’s natural history.

When in Chile....have a traditional feast! Students enjoy an asado with a local rancher. Valley of Rio Canal Photo: Betsy Winston

Culture
During this section you’ll live on mountain campos with poblador families, helping them with the daily chores of subsistence living. This is your chance to further develop your language skills while fully immersed in the extraordinary Patagonian culture.

Rock Climbing
You will learn rock climbing at the foot of the Andes. Rock climbing begins with a foundation of skills such as climbing techniques, knot craft, belaying, rappelling, and bouldering. As you progress, we will focus on more advanced topics such as anchor construction, belay escapes, and gear selection. If you are ready, and weather permits, there will be opportunities for multi-pitch and lead climbing.

Student Expedition
The Patagonia Year typically culminates with the student expedition. Groups of four to six students travel independently for an eight- to ten-day hike through the wilds of Patagonia. Your group will craft a travel plan and work out a proposed route in order to practice what you’ve learned over the past months.

Year in Patagonia Duration 135 Days Age 18 and over (Average age: 21) Tuition 2013-2014: $27,500 Dates 2013 October 19, 2013-March 19, 2014 (Holiday Break: December 23, 2013-January 8, 2014) College Credit (Optional) 27 Semester Credit Hours 2 Hours Biology 2 Hours Environmental Studies 4 Hours Leadership Techniques 6 Hours Skills Practicum 4 Hours Risk Management 2 Hours Expedition Planning 2 Hours Outdoor Educator 3 Hours WFR 2 Hours Cultural Studies Course start/end Coyhaique, Chile Equipment Deposit $850 Fly in/out Balmaceda, Chile Additional Information: Course Description (pdf) Equipment List (pdf)

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