NOLS Blog
Case Study: Dental Emergency while RaftingÂ
A member of your rafting party loses a tooth partway through a 4-day trip. How do you respond?
Case Study: Sea Kayaking SlipÂ
photo credit: Liz Schultz The Setting You are enjoying an amazing day of paddling on Prince William Sound ...
Gap Year Pros and Cons: Solo vs. Group
Taking a gap year can be a transformative experience that expands your horizons, fosters personal growth, and unlocks ...
Trip Report: Inaugural NOLS Alumni Climbing Trip In Greece
In May of 2025, the Inaugural NOLS Alumni Greece Climbing Trip traveled to the Greek island of Kalymnos, one of the most famous climbing destinations in the world. Our small but mighty group of alumni and NOLS instructors climbed, swam, staged breathtaking photo shoots, practiced climbing skills, visited nearby islands, sampled the best spinach pies…
Exploring the World and Finding Yourself: The Power of a Gap Year After High School
Discover the power of taking a gap year after high school—adventure, cultural immersion, and self-reflection highlight this transformative experience.
Case Study: Embedded Tick while Backpacking
In the Appalachian Mountains of New York you friend notices that they have an engorged tick on their leg. How would you apply your wilderness medicine skills in this scenario?
Instructor Spotlight: Caeden Greene
A NOLS experience can truly be a transformative experience for a young person’s life, and that was certainly the case for field instructor Caeden Greene. In high school, Caeden embarked on a 30-day Waddington Range Mountaineering Expedition (WAD), long known as one of NOLS’ most rigorous courses. The WAD expedition had such a profound effect…
Case Study: Jellyfish Sting in Paradise
Ouch! Your friend gets stung by a jellyfish while you're out surfing. How do you respond?
Through the Diamond Heart of Brazil: Our Next Alumni Adventure!
Lush valleys, waterfalls, ancient ruins, and diamonds can all be found in Brazil’s Chapada Diamantina National Park, the backdrop for one of NOLS’ newest alumni trips. Murilo Bellese and Moaci Dantas, the trip’s primary architects, share a little more about the trip and what makes it special. Looking out over Chapada Diamantina National Park. Photo…
What is Packrafting?
What is packrafting? Learn the unique history of this adventure sport and what makes it so awesome for exploring water and land!
How to Prevent Altitude Sickness: From Acute Mountain Sickness to Severe Altitude Illness
Learn how to prevent altitude sickness with NOLS wilderness medicine courses. Take a proactive approach to your next mountain adventure.
Case Study: Burn in the Backcountry
A student gets a hot water burn deep in the backcountry. What do you do?
How to Prevent Hypothermia in Cold Climates
Take a proactive approach to your next adventure. Learn how to prevent hypothermia, manage cold stress, and be prepared for cold illnesses in the wilderness.
Case Study: What to Do About Snakebites
See what you would do to respond to and treat a possible snakebite.
Wilderness First Aid vs. Wilderness First Responder: Choosing the Right Training for You
Understand the 'Wilderness First Aid vs Wilderness First Responder' debate to choose the best course for your outdoor medical training needs.
Case Study: Falling Through the Ice
What would you do to help a patient with hypothermia while winter camping?
Backcountry Splitboarding Gear, Techniques, and Training with NOLS
Explore the world of backcountry splitboarding with NOLS! Explore gear, techniques, and backcountry travel for an exhilarating journey beyond the beaten path.
Snowboarding for Beginners: Tips, Terms, and Techniques to Get You Started
Dive into snowboarding for beginners and learn fundamentals, terminology, and gear essentials.
‘Society of the Snow’ and Roberto Canessa’s Life-Changing Experience
NOLS had the opportunity to chat with Roberto Canessa, one of the survivors of the Andes plane crash in 1978.
Skiing for Beginners: What to Know at the Start of Your Skiing Journey
Learn the essentials of skiing for beginners. Your guide to skiing terms, gear, and techniques for backcountry adventures.
