RIVERTON, Wyo. (October 30, 1998) -- From Alaska's glaciers to the snowfields of Patagonia, a Brunton compass has long been a student's trusted friend on expeditions of the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Beginning this season, NOLS has become the official field tester for Brunton compasses, capping nearly two decades of cooperation between the two Wyoming-based organizations. This unprecedented agreement will undoubtedly help each company as they both continue to grow and solidify their footholds in the outdoor industry.

John Smithbaker, president of the Brunton Company, believes this new agreement can only enhance the already successful images of these two organizations. "The fact that two companies so geographically close, both sharing the same goals of supplying products and services that promote our industry is very unique," says Smithbaker. "Having NOLS there to test our products in all different kinds of weather conditions, truly enables us to manufacture a superior product."

John Gans, executive director at NOLS, agrees, "Forming partnerships is a critical element in our goal to influence every North American wilderness user. Learning skills such as compass use and map reading are extremely important aspects of any NOLS course and we're excited to make Brunton our partners in the outdoors."

NOLS, a non-profit school, was founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer, Paul Petzoldt, and takes 3,000 students a year into the wilderness to teach them outdoor and leadership skills.

Only 25 miles away from the Brunton headquarters in Riverton, NOLS' international headquarters is in Lander, Wyo., but the school sends students to outposts throughout the United States and the world, including destinations in Kenya, Chile, Mexico, and Canada. Courses range from 10 days to full semesters in the varied fields of sea kayaking, horsepacking, mountaineering, backpacking, sailing, canoeing, and whitewater kayaking. With 45,00 graduates to date, NOLS' reputation as the leader in wilderness education is only continuing to flourish.

The Brunton Company traces its roots back to 1894 with the invention of the small, highly accurate compass known today as a Pocket Transit or simply a Brunton. This device rapidly gained popularity with mining engineers in planning out the development of mines, as well as geologists, archaeologists, foresters, and military personnel.

Over 100 years later, the Brunton Company is still carefully hand-crafting the same high quality pocket transits in their Riverton facility. Committing this same personal attention throughout their product line, Brunton has added technologically advanced optical instruments, innovative professional and sporting compass designs, educational kits and dealer supports displays. Trusted by outdoor enthusiasts and professionals worldwide, Brunton products are known for their unmistakable variety, affordability, and superior quality.

Partners in the field, Brunton and NOLS are excited to continue doing what they do best - leading the way.

For more information contact Chris Denny at
Stanwood & Partners Public Relations at (307) 733-1514.

Press Contact:
Bruce Palmer
National Outdoor Leadership School
(307) 332-1230
email:bruce_palmer@nols.edu