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 RaftingÂ
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…
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.
College Prep Pressure: Is the Finish Line in Sight?
Michaela Notice spent 15 days last summer canoeing, rafting, hiking and camping in Utah and Colorado, via the National Outdoor Leadership Program, (NOLS).
Wyoming Residents Voice Opposition to Public Lands Amendment
Groups representing a variety of interests, from conservation groups to sportsmen to the National Outdoor Leadership School, all were opposed to the amendment.
New Partnership Aims To Improve The Business Of Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor recreation is one of the top industries in Wyoming. NOLS and Flitner Strategies in Jackson partnered to form the Wyoming Outdoor Business Association.
An Irresistible Glow: the Hypnosis Of Bioluminescence
Lynn Petzold has seen her fair share of bioluminescence as an instructor for NOLS, including while leading a two-week kayaking course in the Sea of Cortez.
New Decision Results In Permanent Protection of the Wyoming Range
The USFS’s verdict settles that the Bridger-Teton National Forest is now off limits to any type of development; important habitat for wildlife is now protected.
James Edward Mills talks about why the face of outdoor adventure must change
Through the course of my conversations with different organizations, I interviewed the very first Director of Diversity and Inclusion at NOLS.
Bridger-Teton National Forest Conserving 40,000 Acres in the Wyoming Range
Today the Bridger-Teton National Forest announced almost 40,000 acres in the Wyoming Range are not available for oil and gas development.
16 Questions with Wilderness Medic Dave Webber
Read this interview with Dave Weber, who has worked as a rescue technician, remote site medic and skills instructor for the last 15 years.
