NOLS Blog
The Poley-Poley: A Chronicle in the Himalayas
It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop. —Confucius The air was thick. My strides were slow and purposeful, careful not to disrupt the group’s cadence. The thrill of spotting Everest Base Camp, still two hours away, motivated me to maintain the syncopated rhythm of deep breathing. Hypoxia…
NOLS Releases Newest Edition of Leadership Educator Notebook, an Instructor’s Toolbox
NOLS is pleased to introduce the newest edition of the Leadership Educator Notebook, a collection of the educational ...
Knee Injury While Cross-Country Skiing
Photo courtesy of XCSkiResorts.com The Setting You are cross-country skiing with four of your friends on a beautiful ...
Epistaxis on a Llama Packing Trip
The Setting It’s day two of a guided family llama packing trip deep in the Andes of South America. The scenery is stunning—glacial valleys, high alpine meadows, and dramatic peaks. You’re one of the trip guides, certified as a Wilderness First Responder (WFR). The group includes several families, and this morning’s plan is to trek…
Medicine in Orbit
Space, some say, is the final frontier. For N. Stuart Harris, M.D., M.F.A., Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department physician and the NOLS Board of Trustees’ immediate past Chair, it’s very much today’s frontier. Stuart, whose first NOLS course was a Fall Semester in the Rockies, is the Founding Chief of Massachusetts General Hospital’s SPEAR Medicine…
6 Reasons Why You Should Take A WEMT Course (And Tips for How to Prepare)
Here are the top six reasons why one NOLS Wilderness Medicine grad recommends taking a Wilderness EMT course.
Paul Petzold, the U.S. Army, and NOLS
Paul Petzoldt was 36 years old in 1943 when he joined the U.S. Army’s prestigious 10th Mountain Division, an elite group of soldiers who were trained for alpine warfare. Already decades into his career, the future founder of NOLS had worked a slew of jobs, including farmer, waiter, and used car salesman. He was best…
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 a tortilla. This, our favorite picante recipe, can be made with a little tomato base and a well-stocked spice kit, but don’t shy away from adding your own favorites! NOLS Picante Sauce (makes about 1 cup) 1…
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.
Life’s Big Adventure
William James took a National Outdoor Leadership School course in 2001. He realized he wanted to use his newfound outdoor skills to help people.
Know Wilderness First Aid for These 12 Injuries
Lance Taysom, a Wilderness Medicine instructor for NOLS shares advice for Wilderness First Aid in the backcountry.
Hundreds Rally for Public Lands in Wyoming
At the Public Lands Rally in Casper, Wyoming, National Outdoor Leadership School's John Gans, discussed the economic value of Wyoming Public Lands.
Straight Talk with Rachel Reich
I did a month long NOLS course in 2008. This trip provided my first exposure to alpine climbing when we attempted Mt. Baker and Mt. Shukshan, in Washington.
