NOLS Blog
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…
NOLS Picante Sauce
Picante perks up almost any savory recipe—try it on eggs, beans, in soups and coupled with anything on ...
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 ...
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…
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…
Gans: Wyoming’s Recreational Waters Must Remain Pristine
Stream miles to be impacted are on public lands which are important to Wyoming residents who recreate outdoors and to NOLS for teaching outdoor skills.
NOLS Stewardship Award Presented to Jay Pence
On Saturday, Oct. 8th, NOLS awarded their 2016 Stewardship Award to Jay Pence, who is the Teton Basin District Ranger for the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
In a Montana Bear Attack, Lessons on Hope, Survival and First Aid
A 50-year-old man was attacked by a bear in the wilderness of southwest Montana. Alone and injured, he walked — then drove — for miles to save himself. How did he do it?
Learning to Lead at Annapolis: Ally Warnimont
Students of the Naval Academy are expected to participate in training. “NOLS, or National Outdoor Leadership School, is one of our options for summer training.”
Outdoor Education Center Hosts ‘Race and the Outdoors’ Film Screening and Discussion
Pomona College’s Outdoor Education Center hosted a film screening and discussion to create a dialogue around racial representation in the outdoors.
Gap Year Before College Should Be the Norm
Challenge, personal growth, leadership development and environmental stewardship are the hallmarks of these programs. NOLS is among the best known programs,
Effective Ways to Mosquito-Proof Your Summer Camping Trip
Marco Johnson, field staffing director at the National Outdoor Leadership School, shared how you can keep mosquitos at bay during your next camping trip.
New Zealand Earthquake Update
The following is the latest information we have received since learning of reports of the earthquake in New Zealand on 11/13/16.
First-Year Student Gains New World Perspective from International Travel
After her educational and spiritual journey through Asia, Davis headed over to northern Patagonia to complete a NOLS course as part of a gap year.
Coralville Native Living the Small Life in Colorado
It’s easy to picture Jonathan Williams in his tiny house in a campground at the base of a Colorado mountain, staring through the skylight just above his head.
Montanans Spend a Year on Mars – at Least, About the Closest Thing to It
The final step in the HI-SEAS Mission 4 selection process was a camping trip in a remote area of Idaho run by NOLS. NASA and NOLS have a longtime partnership.
Expedition Leads Saratoga Native to Possible New Career Path
ForJerick Lee, a recent NOLS 38-day mountaineering and sailing expedition through the Pacific Northwest was more than just an adventure.
