Eliza is a NOLS alumni and artist from the Hudson Valley, New York. She enjoys photography, hiking, travelling, and meditating. After her first NOLS course in the Wind River Range in Wyoming, she has continued to pursue outdoor adventures with NOLS and beyond.

My introduction to the outdoors began with a boot camp–style mountaineering course in the Indian Himalayas, which eventually led me to NOLS. Since becoming a NOLS instructor in 2021, I’ve been drawn to big mountain environments—both professionally and on personal trips. Since first stepping into the outdoors, I’ve spent nearly all my time building competence…

Luis is a NOLS alumni from Mexico City. He enjoys swimming, hiking, reading and spending time with his family. Inspired by his initial NOLS journey to Alaska with his son, he now makes it a priority to undertake a new trip annually.

Lucero Cruz Santa Ana was born and raised in the vibrant community of South East Los Angeles, where she has cultivated a deep appreciation for her cultural identity as a proud Oaxacan Chicana. Lucero is an alum of both NOLS and C5LA, programs that have enriched her enthusiasm for outdoor exploration and leadership. In her…

Anne is a writer, former journalist, and proud NOLS grad.

Amanda is a NOLS alumni from St. Louis, MO.  She is always up for an adventure with friends and loves exploring new corners of the world.

As NOLS mountaineering course leaders, the three of us have spent months in the rugged glaciated peaks of Patagonia, Alaska, and beyond. We call Chile’s Aysén Region home and enjoy exploring its remote corners on foot, by ski, and by packraft when possible.

As NOLS mountaineering course leaders, the three of us have spent months in the rugged glaciated peaks of Patagonia, Alaska, and beyond. We call Chile’s Aysén Region home and enjoy exploring its remote corners on foot, by ski, and by packraft when possible.

As NOLS mountaineering course leaders, the three of us have spent months in the rugged glaciated peaks of Patagonia, Alaska, and beyond. We call Chile’s Aysén Region home and enjoy exploring its remote corners on foot, by ski, and by packraft when possible.

Ian Jones Ian is a NOLS instructor for mountaineering, backpacking, and winter courses. He lives in Palmer, Alaska, and serves as the Evacuation Coordinator for NOLS Alaska during the summer season, when not teaching mountaineering courses in the field. Outside of working for NOLS, Ian can be found exploring the mountains of Southcentral Alaska on…

Liz Tuohy has served NOLS students as an instructor and administrator since 1994. She is a huge fan of sport climbing, Greece, laughing hard, and, now, eating whole fishes. Jackie lives and Lander, WY and has been an instructor for NOLS since 2014. This trip combined many of Jackie’s all-time favorite activities – climbing beautiful…

As NOLS mountaineering course leaders, the three of us have spent months in the rugged glaciated peaks of Patagonia, Alaska, and beyond. We call Chile’s Aysén Region home and enjoy exploring its remote corners on foot, by ski, and by packraft when possible.

Matt Leslie began his journey with NOLS as a Patagonia Mountaineering student and NOLS Rocky Mountain intern in 2012. He took his instructor course in 2016, and has since amassed many field weeks and adventures hiking, mountaineering, and rock climbing for the school. After a brief hiatus to pursue a master’s degree studying applied sport…

Jeremy enjoys long walks in the mountains (or canyons) and testing new techniques/gear along the way. Results vary, but the learning never stops.

Dave Watson: Dave has been a NOLS instructor since 1999. He has over 400 weeks in the field, most of which have been at Patagonia. He focuses on getting his students to “camp in style” so that they can embrace the other challenges of a NOLS course: staying warm, dry, and well fed. When not…

Elsie Freland has been working for NOLS since 2014, and over the years, she has held various positions and worked in multiple locations. She is currently a senior NOLS field instructor in hiking and canyoneering, as well as the NOLS U.S. Instructor-In-Training program manager.

Ann Kimunyu has been a Kenyan field instructor with NOLS since 2018. Her favorite place to work is the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania. She takes great pride in holding her students accountable and always aims to impact them and get them to enjoy being outdoors positively.

Damaris is a NOLS Instructor.

Aaron is the sustainability intern for spring 2017.