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…
Wharton Executive MBA Alum Reflects on NOLS Mountaineering Expedition
A graduate of UPenn’s Wharton Executive MBA program shares what she learned about leadership on her 2018 NOLS mountaineering expedition in Alaska.
Gear Patrol: Backpacking 101 with Senior Instructor Marco Johnson
In April 2019, Gear Patrol consulted Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson for advice on packing for a backpacking trip.
Facebook’s Former Chief Product Officer Shares Lessons Learned at NOLS
Chris Cox, Facebook’s former Chief Product Officer, shares the lessons he learned on a NOLS semester course in Patagonia.
Southwest Leaders of Color Expedition: Working to Decolonize Outdoor Spaces
The West Michigan Environmental Action Council recognized environmental justice advocate Alice Jasper for her participation in the 2019 NOLS Southwest Leaders of Color expedition.
UW Nursing Students Further Their Education with NOLS Wilderness Medicine Training
In spring 2019, University of Wyoming nursing students and instructors participated in a NOLS Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner course.
NOLS Instructor & Longtime Trekking Guide Founds Outdoor Education Project in Nepal
Trekking guide & NOLS instructor Jagan Timilsina founded the Outdoor Education Project to prepare students in rural Nepal to work in the outdoor industry.
NOLS Celebrates Fifth Year of Innovative Partnership with C5 Youth Association to Serve High-Potential Under-Resourced Youth across the Country
NOLS celebrates five years of working with C5 Youth Association to lead wilderness expeditions for high-potential under-resourced youth across the U.S.
Forbes Recognizes Italian Cycling Company Founded by NOLS Grad
In May 2019, Forbes recognized the 30th anniversary of Ciclismo Classico, a bike touring company founded by NOLS semester grad Lauren Hefferon.
Casper Star Tribune Features Run the Red, a Race Celebrating Public Lands
Get excited! This year’s Run the Red race, sponsored by NOLS, will be held on September 28, 2019, Wyoming’s first Public Lands Day.
Outdoor Professionals to Convene in Albuquerque for 26th Wilderness Risk Management Conference
In fall 2019, NOLS will host the 26th annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
New York Times Features New NOLS LGBTQ+ Backpacking Course
In June 2019, the New York Times highlighted the NOLS LQBTQ+ Canyonlands Backpacking - Prime as part of a feature story on LGBTQ outdoor expeditions.
Senior NOLS Instructor Advises Field & Stream on Picking Campsites
Field & Stream recently sought Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson’s advice on how to pick the perfect campsite.
