In Search of Instructors

One of the great traditions here at NOLS Rocky Mountain is
photographing each instructor team before they go on course. The responsibility for this great
undertaking has now fallen to yours truly. In writing, the task appears straightforward; in reality it has proven challenging. The reasons are twofold: not only are I-Teams busily preparing
for their sections, meeting with students, etc. and the competition to come up
with a unique/awesome/clever photo is stiff. Some relish the opportunity for one-upmanship but most seem
deflated in the face of measuring up to the great photos of courses past.

Which leads us to the case of FSR 7 and their mountaineering
instructor, Jared Spaulding.

Mr. Spaulding made clear his intention to avoid any I-Team
photo attempt, yet he clearly underestimated the intern-ly resolve to complete
projects. After an epic game of
cat and mouse he was finally cornered and this is what transpired…

And finally, ladies and gentlemen of the blogosphere, I give
to you the FSR 7 Mountaineering Instructor Photo:

Many thanks to my fellow intern Hope, who went undercover
when Jared caught my scent, and to Jared’s co-instructors and our
co-conspirators Riley Hopeman and Jim Margolis.