NOLS Blog
Case Study: Chest Injury with Fall
The Setting You are on a climbing trip in Red Rocks, Nevada. You’ve spent the last week dialing in your climbing, swapping beta with new friends at the crag and soaking up the desert sun. Today, you decide to take a break from long routes and focus on bouldering. You’re chalking up, eyeing a new…
Backpacking the Vilcabamba Valley to Machu Picchu Alumni Trip: Inaugural Trip Reflection
An Interview with Kellsie Forbes, NOLS Alumni Trips Manager Where did the idea to create an alumni trip ...
Alumni Spotlight: How my NOLS Course Impacted My Career
Almost exactly 10 years after coming to Alaska for the first time to take a NOLS course, Asa ...
The Wilderness Risk Management Conference: a Conference and a Community
An interview with Elyse Rylander, Wilderness Risk Management Steering Committee Chair The 33rd annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference (WRMC) will be held this fall, October 20 – 22nd, in Portland, Oregon. If you haven’t attended yet, the WRMC was developed from the work of multiple outdoor programs who wanted to create a space to foster…
Case Study: Bear Spray in the Face
The Setting You are almost done with a 3-day backpacking trip in the Wind River Mountain Range of Wyoming with two of your friends. You only have a couple miles left to get back to the car, and you’re already dreaming of the cheeseburger and milkshake you’re going to have once back in town. Prior…
Case Study: Fishhooks
The Setting You’re on the first day of a twelve-day whitewater canoeing expedition down the Green River. Your group consists of fifteen students and four instructors. Everyone is paddling close together down a stretch of flat water practicing strokes, building skills, and getting to know one another. Spirits are high. People are laughing, chatting, and…
When Everything Came Into Focus — Hiking Patagonia’s Torres del Paine O Circuit Alumni Trip
I first learned about the O Circuit in 2025, a year before I actually did it. My wife and I were in Patagonia on a Road Scholar trip. It started with a cruise through the Strait of Magellan and the Darwin Passage, followed by a few days in Torres del Paine National Park doing short…
Case Study: Heat Illness on an Early-Season Wildland Fire Assignment
The Setting You are working on a Type 2 initial attack handcrew in the Deschutes National Forest during the early part of fire season. It’s one of the first assignments of the year, and while conditions aren’t extreme yet, temperatures have climbed into the mid-80s°F with full sun exposure on a south-facing slope. The crew…
Rothberg-Birdwhistel Expedition Fund: Panchachuli III Peak Climb
In May 2025, Bharat Bhushan, Prerna Dangi, and I took on a challenge to climb Panchachuli III (6,349m), believed by local residents to remain unclimbed. We aimed to approach it via the northeast route through the Meola Glacier. Despite occasional visits by military and paramilitary personnel, there was no recorded mountaineering information or documented route…
Scaling New Heights: NOLS Outdoor Rock Climbing Course Insights
Explore NOLS Outdoor Rock Climbing Courses, where you'll gain essential climbing skills, develop leadership abilities, foster environmental stewardship, and immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes!
Top 10 Best Gap Year Programs for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Discover the best Gap Year Programs for Outdoor Enthusiasts! From East Africa's cultural immersion to the PNW's wilderness skill development, embark on unforgettable adventures with NOLS.
Gap Year Benefits from a Parent’s Perspective
Discover gap year benefits and get tips to support your child's gap year decision with insights from a parent's perspective.
Case Study: Injured Knee in the Wind River Mountains
Two days into a picture-perfect autumn backpacking trip in the Wind River Mountains, your companion slips and falls on rocky terrain. His chief complaint: pain in his swollen and tender knee. You’re at mile 5 of a planned 20-mile loop. What do you do?
NOLS Alumni Trips in Portugal: By the Numbers
Storks, sardines, and sand! A behind the scenes look at a recent Alumni trip: hiking Portugal's Fishermen's Trail.
Why Take A Gap Year: 8 Gap Year Life Lessons
Asking yourself, "Why take a gap year?" NOLS has 8 answers to that question that will help you take the plunge toward a truly transformative gap year!
“It’s a Pilot Trip”—Hiking in Croatia Trip Report
In early June, six NOLS Alumni, two NOLS Instructors, and one incredible local partner set forth on NOLS’ first hiking trip in Croatia.
Gap Year on a Budget: How to Find Affordable Gap Year Programs
Looking for affordable gap year programs? Here's how to find programs that offer incredible yet budget-friendly experiences and learning opportunities.
Gap Year Abroad: The Best Destinations for Cultural Immersion
Yearning to dive deep into the heart of global cultures? Uncover the best destinations for an authentic cultural immersion during your gap year abroad.
Top 10 Resume Boosting Gap Year Ideas: A Guide to Getting the Most Out of Your Gap Year
Discover the 10 best gap year ideas to enhance your professional skill set, gain valuable experiences, and make your resume stand out to future employers.
What Gap Year Statistics Tell Us About The Impact of Gap Year Programs on College Success
Dive into gap year statistics to explore how a gap year fosters personal development, cultural immersion, academic momentum, and career success.
