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…
4 Spring Break Trips You Haven’t Considered
Choose a different kind of spring break this year. Forget the touristy beaches and overcrowded ski resorts and dive into a real outdoor adventure!
The Engineer, His Camera and an Alaskan Love Affair: Part Two
The Engineer, His Camera and an Alaskan Love Affair: Part Two
Will My Heart Go On: Cardiovascular Wilderness Medicine
How much do you actually know about the human heart? Test your knowledge with this wilderness medicine quiz on the cardiovascular system.
Watch: Yoga for Sea Kayakers
Check out this video to learn a short and effective yoga routine that's designed specifically for paddlers!
Billycan Romance: A Lifetime Adventure
Once upon a time, two young bankers met by chance, bonding over their NOLS expeditions in Wyoming's mountains. The rest is history—a true NOLS love story.
Jimmy Chin’s Journey from NOLS to the Oscars
NOLS grad, former instructor, and current Board member Jimmy Chin shares reflections on adventure, storytelling, family, and his NOLS experience.
Simplicity and Difficulty: Learning about Life on a Patagonian Homestead
An invitation into a poblador's home becomes an opportunity for learning about the one family's history and the gaucho lifestyle on the Patagonia Cultural Expedition
Casting into Spring: Wilderness Medicine for Fly Fishing
Even if you’ve never fly-fished, NOLS Wilderness Medicine has advice to prepare you for the hobby’s common risks, especially in the early season.
Wilderness and Identity: Q&A with NOLS LGBTQ+ Canyonlands Backpacking Grad
NOLS LGBTQ+ Canyonlands Backpacking grad, Mat Pryfogle, recounts his takeaways from NOLS' first LBGTQ+ Expedition.
Cold Weather Recipe: Cheesy Potato Soup
There's nothing better than a hot meal after a day out in the cold! Try this cheesy potato soup recipe from NOLS Cookery on your next outdoor trip.
Risk Management Training: Kick Your RM Practices into Tip-Top Shape
Risk management training educators and participants talk about the value of a culture of risk management.
Golden Apple Scholarship winner taking NOLS course in 2013
Golden Apple Scholarship winner taking NOLS course in 2013
