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…
Learning to Say “Thank You:” The Path to Building Community While Climbing
Instructor Andy thought improving at rock climbing was about knowing enough knots and climbing hard enough routes— but it turns out there's more to it.
Business Undergrads Look to Wilderness Expeditions for Leadership Training
Senior Student Program Coordinator & academic advisor for Canfield Business Honors Program at UT Austin sees her students grow in surprising ways after leadership training in NOLS courses.
Wilderness First Aid: 5 Steps of a Scene Size-up
Always start with the first 5 steps of the scene size-up when responding to an emergency.
ABCs of Wilderness Medicine: The Initial Assessment
You've spotted a fallen hiker on the trail: thinking back to your NOLS Wilderness Medicine course, do you remember how to perform an initial assessment?
Backpacker Magazine Turns to NOLS for Leadership Advice
NOLS Instructor & Research Manager Shannon Rochelle offers Backpacker some tips on recognizing and avoiding common leadership mistakes on hiking trips.
Welcome to NOLS India: Expeditions in the Himalaya
Come to NOLS India to explore the landscape and culture of the Himalaya. Engage with local communities while backpacking and mountaineering.
New Trustees Bring Diverse Expertise to Wilderness Education Nonprofit
NOLS is excited to welcome five new members to its Board of Trustees in 2019, including leaders in the tech, film, venture capital, and nonprofit sectors.
NOLS Introduces Seven Wilderness Expeditions for Affinity Group Members
NOLS will launch seven new affinity courses for a total of 20 offerings designed for People of Color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Start Dreaming: Summer 2020 Expeditions Now Online
Already dreading the end of summer? Don't despair—check out our 2020 summer expeditions and start dreaming about next year's adventures!
Wilderness Safety Training: Key for Any Risk Management Toolkit
How do you manage the inherent risks, like limited communication or distance from medical care, of exploring remote areas? Take a Wilderness Safety Training!
SOAR Act Introduction to the House of Representatives
NOLS and the outdoor recreation industry are rallying behind the Securing Outdoor Access for Recreation Act.
Case Study: When Heat Stress Hits an Entire Group
This case study tests how well you can adapt when you're responsible for not just one patient, but an entire group.
