Instructor Q&A with Andy Blair
March 6, 2010
Where did you get your start in outdoor education?
At a little summer camp on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. We did farm work for half the day and played around outside for the rest of the day. The camp also ran small, multi-day trips into Cape Breton Highlands National Park. I had no idea that I was getting educated but, looking back, that place shaped the direction of my life up to this point.What is your favorite class to teach?
Classes – smashes. Let’s get out and immerse ourselves in the skill! While I really enjoy the sound of my own voice, I have discovered that not many people are listening. I really enjoy those times when I am mountaineering or skiing fresh powder or climbing big cliffs with my students. A lot of education is going on and no one has to listen to me.
Are you an analyst/architect, driver, relationship master, or spontaneous motivator?
Depending on my frame of mind, I seem to fall into one category or another. I like to think of myself as a driver but a lot of other people see me as a spontaneous motivator. It would be the exception that anyone would call me an analyst/architect. Sometimes you need to be a relationship master to help keep the peace.
At a little summer camp on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. We did farm work for half the day and played around outside for the rest of the day. The camp also ran small, multi-day trips into Cape Breton Highlands National Park. I had no idea that I was getting educated but, looking back, that place shaped the direction of my life up to this point.What is your favorite class to teach?
Classes – smashes. Let’s get out and immerse ourselves in the skill! While I really enjoy the sound of my own voice, I have discovered that not many people are listening. I really enjoy those times when I am mountaineering or skiing fresh powder or climbing big cliffs with my students. A lot of education is going on and no one has to listen to me.
Are you an analyst/architect, driver, relationship master, or spontaneous motivator?
Depending on my frame of mind, I seem to fall into one category or another. I like to think of myself as a driver but a lot of other people see me as a spontaneous motivator. It would be the exception that anyone would call me an analyst/architect. Sometimes you need to be a relationship master to help keep the peace.
What is your favorite course to teach?
I think you already asked this one.
(No I didn’t Andy! I asked which class, now I’m asking which course!)
Give me your best backcountry recipe.
My backcountry recipes are all the same: hydrate it, fry it and put cheese in it. Only the ingredients change.
What is your favorite piece of outdoor gear?
Now, this is going to change depending on what I am doing. If I have to single out one piece of equipment, I have to defer to an item introduced to me by my friend, NOLS instructor, John Marshall. Rose colored sunglasses. Rose colored sunglasses make everything better.What music/food do you think about when in the backcountry?
Music: I end up singing to myself a fair bit while I am out in the backcountry. This usually takes a couple of days. Food: During summer courses I think about fresh vegetables and meat. During the winter, I am satisfied because I bring frozen vegetables and meat.
Now, this is going to change depending on what I am doing. If I have to single out one piece of equipment, I have to defer to an item introduced to me by my friend, NOLS instructor, John Marshall. Rose colored sunglasses. Rose colored sunglasses make everything better.What music/food do you think about when in the backcountry?
Music: I end up singing to myself a fair bit while I am out in the backcountry. This usually takes a couple of days. Food: During summer courses I think about fresh vegetables and meat. During the winter, I am satisfied because I bring frozen vegetables and meat.
What is your single greatest accomplishment related to the outdoors?
Learning to be a good course leader. For me, this took at least my first 100 weeks in the field to accomplish. I think it took me that long to figure out what it takes to make a good NOLS course. Here are my three things you need to make a good NOLS course: 1) Risks managed appropriately, 2) Instructors are happy, 3) Students are happy.
