NOLS Blog
Knee Injury While Cross-Country Skiing
The Setting You are cross-country skiing with four of your friends on a beautiful December day. The sun is shining, the temperature is a balmy 25℉, and you’re enjoying feeling the wind against your cheeks as you ski. You are roughly 3 miles into your 6-mile loop. Your moment of enjoyment is broken when, out…
Epistaxis on a Llama Packing Trip
Photo by Nick Springer The Setting It’s day two of a guided family llama packing trip deep in ...
Medicine in Orbit
Space, some say, is the final frontier. For N. Stuart Harris, M.D., M.F.A., Massachusetts General Hospital Emergency Department ...
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…
Backpacking Among Giants: A Trip Report from Norway’s Jotunheimen Mountains
In August of 2025, the inaugural NOLS Alumni Norway Backpacking Trip ventured into the Jotunheimen Mountains for ten days of challenging hiking amongst stunning scenery. Our group first met in Oslo before traveling about five hours by bus to the Jotunheimen region in western Norway. The bus conveniently dropped us off at our first hut of the trip and…
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…
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.
NOLS Wilderness Medicine Featured on University of Kentucky Radio Station
WUKY recently interviewed NOLS Wilderness Medicine instructor Greg Gaskin about a Wilderness First Responder course held at the University of Kentucky.
Aparna Rajagopal Receives Charles (Reb) Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award at the 2019 Wilderness Risk Management Conference
Aparna Rajagopal received the 2019 Charles (Reb) Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award for her significant contributions to the field of risk management in outdoor education and adventure professions.
NOLS Grad Haley Robison Recognized as Top Business Leader
Conscious Company recognized Haley Robison, Kammok CEO and NOLS semester grad, as one of the Top Conscious Business Leaders of 2018.
“Camp Like a Girl” on a NOLS Adventure Course
In an article for Teton Family magazine, Georgie Stanley explains that NOLS adventure courses offer teenage girls like her daughter an empowering opportunity to develop leadership skills while facing real challenges in the wilderness.
UVA Students Test Limits in Patagonia Wilderness
In March 2018, 12 students from UVA’s Darden School of Business embarked on a six-day NOLS course in Patagonia to develop backpacking and leadership skills.
AmeriCorps Grad Uses Education Award to Explore Tanzania
After serving at City Year Boston, Brenna Easton used her AmeriCorps education award to fund her NOLS course in Tanzania.
