Are you ready for an epic adventure that will shape your life for years to come? This extended semester course will take you from the high peaks of the Rocky Mountains, through the buttes, mesas, and plateaus of Utah’s red canyons, to the blue-white ice sheets of Alaska’s Prince William Sound and the rugged Chugach Mountains. Led by instructors — not guides — these incredible places are waiting for you: to experience the power of nature and discover adventure alongside your peers.
You’ll earn academic credit through a nationally recognized program in outdoor education, leadership, and conservation — unlocking transformative growth and academic progress beyond the classroom. Split into spring and summer semesters, this expedition offers a unique transition between high school and college — or a meaningful reset after a fall term. You’ll set out with a group of peers, developing the skills to travel confidently in the wilderness while earning academic credit and certifications such as Wilderness First Responder — tangible recognition of your bold journey through some of North America’s most iconic landscapes.
As you progress through sections on rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, canyon travel, and sea kayaking, you’ll rely on your growing leadership and navigation skills, honing your abilities and deepening your expedition mindset. You'll immerse yourself in ecology and wildlife, learn about local history, or walk openly upon barrens dotted with caribou. The flora and fauna will shift dramatically as you travel. In the Rockies, exposed landforms reveal the region’s geologic past, giving way to cliff dwellings and scattered potsherds. In the red canyons — where Douglas fir and juniper grow — you’ll climb sandstone cracks, spot golden eagles, and identify both wildflowers and bobcat tracks.
In Alaska’s Chugach Mountains, you’ll experience the tundra in its rawest and most powerful form. You’ll start by learning the essentials of living in glacier environments, including cooking, camping, and bear-avoidance techniques. You’ll begin the mountaineering curriculum, practicing knot-tying, rope handling, rope team travel, self-arrest, and belaying. Prince William Sound churns with marine life, including whales, porpoises, sea otters, seals, and sea lions. On these waters, you'll become adept with kayaking equipment, paddle strokes, chart reading, and wet exits.
NOLS builds life skills that strengthen college essays and future success. Through hands-on training, shared challenges, and strong team support, these skills stay with you long after the expedition ends. They shape how you navigate the world, helping you face uncertainty, build resilience, and lead with confidence.