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…
The 5 Components of Psychological First Aid
Wilderness First Responders need to know how to treat physical wounds. But it's also important to keep a patient's mental health in mind.
Improve Your Appetite for Uncertainty
Instructor Molly Herber shares her learnings about tolerance for adversity and uncertainty, one of the key leadership skills students learn on NOLS courses.
Rescue at Goblin Valley State Park
On a family trip in Utah, NOLS grad Shelli Johnson suddenly found herself using her Wilderness First Responder skills at the scene of a serious accident.
Camping Recipe: No-Bake Powerhouse Cookies
These tasty treats are easy to make and sure to be a crowd please, whether you're at home or in the backcountry!
Prevent Minor Trail Injuries with Advice from NOLS Staff
Here's some key advice from NOLSies to help ward off small illnesses and injuries that could lead to a more serious medical situation.
Educator Expedition: Family Time Rafting on the Middle Fork
A NOLS instructor applies his teaching skills to a river expedition with his family on the Salmon River.
Get Off the Grid for a Gap Year
NOLS staff share why they love off-grid gap years. Escape the routine and disconnect from the world by getting off the grid for a gap year.
New Courses for Fall 2017
We’re introducing five new courses to our fall lineup that are all 10 days or shorter. Enjoy!
It Takes a Village: WFRs Come Together in the Linville Gorge Wilderness
A NOLS Wilderness Medicine grad shares how her first aid training became critically important when she encountered an injured climber on a weekend trip.
Expedition to Pluto: The New NOLS Course
Check out our latest course, Pluto Space Travel and Spacewalking, announced just in time for April Fools!
How to Make Your Routine Leave No Trace
You're a pro at LNT on the trail, but do you ever think about applying these principles at home too? Get started with some tips from NOLS staff members.
Make Leadership the Focus of Your Gap Year
The true value of a leadership gap year isn't adding an impressive list of activities to your resume—it's about developing valuable life skills.
