NOLS Blog
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…
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 ...
Case Study: Dental Emergency while RaftingÂ
Photo by Anvesh Thapa The Setting You are on day three of a 4-day rafting trip on the ...
Case Study: Sea Kayaking SlipÂ
A fall partway through a sea kayak trip deep in the wilderness poses unique issues. How do you apply your wilderness medicine skills to this incident?
Gap Year Pros and Cons: Solo vs. Group
Explore the gap year pros and cons of solo vs. group programs to find the right balance for you between independence and shared experiences.
Trip Report: Inaugural NOLS Alumni Climbing Trip In Greece
In May of 2025, the Inaugural NOLS Alumni Greece Climbing Trip traveled to the Greek island of Kalymnos, one of the most famous climbing destinations in the world. Our small but mighty group of alumni and NOLS instructors climbed, swam, staged breathtaking photo shoots, practiced climbing skills, visited nearby islands, sampled the best spinach pies…
Exploring the World and Finding Yourself: The Power of a Gap Year After High School
Discover the power of taking a gap year after high school—adventure, cultural immersion, and self-reflection highlight this transformative experience.
Case Study: Embedded Tick while Backpacking
In the Appalachian Mountains of New York you friend notices that they have an engorged tick on their leg. How would you apply your wilderness medicine skills in this scenario?
Instructor Spotlight: Caeden Greene
A NOLS experience can truly be a transformative experience for a young person’s life, and that was certainly the case for field instructor Caeden Greene. In high school, Caeden embarked on a 30-day Waddington Range Mountaineering Expedition (WAD), long known as one of NOLS’ most rigorous courses. The WAD expedition had such a profound effect…
My Path to Outdoor Education from a Semester in Alaska
NOLS grad-turned-instructor Katiya Gombar says that not a single day goes by without thinking of her expedition in Alaska and the lessons she learned there.
Why We Leave Phones Behind on NOLS Courses (and Why You Should Do It More Often)
We're not saying you should never bring your phone camping. But here are some good reasons to consider a tech-free adventure.
5 Ways to Make Sure Your Next Hike is LNT-Approved
You're probably already familiar with the seven Leave No Trace principles—here are some additional tips to guarantee your next hike is low impact.
I Don’t Need to Be an Extrovert to Lead: Reflections on Backpacking in Alaska
In Alaska I realized I might not be the most extroverted human, but I didn’t have to be. Someone else could do that and there would still be space—a need—for me.
Case Study: Treating a Feverish Patient
Test your wilderness medicine knowledge with this case study about a patient with flu-like symptoms that may be related to a tick-borne illness.
Winter & Spring 2020 Expeditions Now Online
Don’t let these dates sneak up on you—summer’s going by quickly and winter will be here before you know it.
Taking a NOLS River Expedition
Wondering what a NOLS river course is like? Get the inside scoop from instructors and students.
Wilderness First Responders: #lowkeysuperheroes
NOLS grad Eric Johnson unveils the mystery of a Wilderness First Responder certification: earning your 'Woofer' makes you a #lowkeysuperhero.
There and Back Again, a Patagonia Tale: The Patagonia Cultural Expedition
My friends were confused about why someone who'd just gotten a masters in Public Health would join a NOLS expedition in Patagonia—quite frankly, so was I.
Research at NOLS: How NOLS Courses Help Prepare for Extended Expeditions in Space
How can NOLS courses help us plan for long duration space flight? Notre Dame PhD candidate Mallika Sarma does the research to find out.
USNA Midshipman Turned NOLS Instructor
USNA grad and Marine veteran Mike Titzer reflects on the lessons he learned on his student course and his return to Alaska as a NOLS instructor.
