A Glimpse from the Field

This week at NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) instructors returned from the Spring Semester in the Rockies (SSR) canyon section. Tanned, toned, and beaming with excitement, we were able to hear a few of their stories and highlights from their excursions in the field.

SSR-3/4 B was instructed by Muthoni Muriithi, Drew Seitz, and Silas Schrader. Muthoni has instructed many backpacking trips for the RM and lead other courses out of several of NOLS’ international bases. Drew has been instructing courses for sometime now and was more recently part of the Teton Valley staff. Silas Schrader completed his Outdoor Educator Semester in the fall and was a first time instructor for this canyon section.

Highlights included the passing through and by of Robber’s Roost, Blue John Canyon, and the exact location at which Aaron Ralston amputated his arm from a boulder using his pocketknife. The group traveled a total distance of ninety-seven miles, experienced a forty-eight hour solo, and endured a four-night small group expedition. One reoccurring theme on the course was cutting hair with trauma sheers. The range of style included a Mohawk and a “skullet” (the combination of a shaved head and a mullet).