NOLS Blog

Three young women sitting on rocks, eating.

How to Make Hash Browns with Cheese

Hash browns have a well-deserved reputation as a delicious breakfast treat, but this cheesy version is great for lunch or dinner too—and that’s before you add nuggets of ham or bacon and a few shakes of hot sauce into the mix! This recipe requires a little forethought—both the hash browns and dried onions benefit from…

Read More
Young woman showing plate with bread and picante sauce on it.
NOLS Picante Sauce
Picante perks up almost any savory recipe—try it on eggs, beans, in soups and coupled with anything on ...
River running between mountains, group of four on right and large cairn on right.
Backpacking Among Giants: A Trip Report from Norway’s Jotunheimen Mountains
Photo by Amanda Klein In August of 2025, the inaugural NOLS Alumni Norway Backpacking Trip ventured into the Jotunheimen Mountains ...
Scenic shot of Ananpurna with prayer flags in foreground lower left
Case Study: Altitude Illness While Trekking
The Setting You are on the trip of a lifetime hiking the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal with one of your best friends. This trip has been in the works for over a year. You’ve spent countless hours training, reviewing maps, and daydreaming about being in the mountains. You can’t believe you’re finally here!  You flew…
Cobalt-blue lake, called Lunch Lake, surrounded mountains and pines in Olympic National Park
What a NOLS Risk Review Really Looks Like: A Case Study with NatureBridge
In the same year as NOLS’ 60th anniversary, we are celebrating 20 years since the formation of NOLS Risk Services. For 60 years, NOLS has operated in remote locations all over the world, and in 2005, NOLS Risk Services was formed to share what NOLS has learned about operational risk management in the process.   NOLS…
Case Study: Dental Emergency while Rafting 
A member of your rafting party loses a tooth partway through a 4-day trip. How do you respond?
Where Play Meets Purpose: A Journey Through the Canyons
Since 2022, NOLS and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business have collaborated on a yearly weeklong expedition to the canyons in southeastern Utah. This expedition is the culmination of a semester-long leadership course for Ross undergraduate students. It combines concepts and learnings from the classroom course with the NOLS leadership curriculum in a…
Rothberg-Birdwhistell Exploration Fund: Expedition to the Peruvian Andes
In the spring of 2025, we set out on an Alpine and ski mountaineering expedition to Peru’s Cordillera Blanca. As outdoor educators with experience leading students on NOLS courses, our team shares a deep commitment to learning through challenge and a connection to wild places. Our goals: explore new terrain, attempt several high peaks, and…
How to Make Oat Scones in the Backcountry
Oat scones taste delicious plain or with honey, peanut butter, wild berry jam, or cheese. They are also excellent with soups or casseroles and make good trail food. Oat Scones ½ cup butter 2 cups oatmeal 1-1/2 tsp. baking powder Pinch of salt (allows recipe to use less sweetener) ¼ cup honey or brown sugar…
Huffington Post: 25 Car-Camping Gear Essentials
Huffington Post: 25 Car-Camping Gear Essentials
Sierra Radio: Hudson Henry
Sierra Radio: Hudson Henry
Teton Valley News: ‘Myanmar: Bridges to Change’ screens
Teton Valley News: 'Myanmar: Bridges to Change' screens
The Unseen Side: Becoming a WFR with NOLS
The Unseen Side: Becoming a WFR with NOLS
Berks-Mont News: Gilbertsville resident completes 30 day mountaineering course
Berks-Mont News: Gilbertsville resident completes 30 day mountaineering course
Men’s Journal: How to Poop in the Woods
Men's Journal: How to Poop in the Woods
TeenLife: Four Lessons You Learn Camping in the Outdoors
TeenLife: Four Lessons You Learn Camping in the Outdoors
County10: Lander Woman one of 11 honored as a Wyoming Woman of Distinction
County10: Lander Woman one of 11 honored as a Wyoming Woman of Distinction
NJ.com: Summit resident completes 30 day mountaineering course
NJ.com: Summit resident completes 30 day mountaineering course
Horse Nation: NOLS Horsepacking Program
Horse Nation: NOLS Horsepacking Program
NOLS
Times Daily: UNA student finds life direction, confidence in Rocky Mountain expedition
Times Daily: UNA student finds life direction, confidence in Rocky Mountain expedition
Sacramento Bee: Alaskan Adventure
Sacramento Bee: Alaskan Adventure