Catching up with NOLS Instructor Buddy Gurnari

The NOLS Rocky Mountain interns caught up with instructor Buddy Gurnari, who was busy getting his students ready for an upcoming expedition in the Wind River Range.

How did you start at NOLS?

“I heard about about NOLS many years ago while reading a story in Outside Magazine. I worked in an outdoor survival program in the military as a U.S. Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) Specialist. After retiring 2003, I took a NOLS Professional Instructor Course with Cody Paulson and Kate Koons this past fall.”

Number of courses taught?

“This will be my fourth and longest – 26 days covering 100 miles in the Wind River Range. It will be a combination of backpacking, fly fishing, and rock climbing.”

Outdoor values?

“Leave No trace, respect for wildlife, and teaching.”

Best part of leading a NOLS course?

“I like the way the students eyes light up when teaching them something new about the outdoors.”