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National Outdoor Leadership School - Index

National Outdoor Leadership School - Nols - Index

SEMESTER IN
THE ROCKIES
NOLS invented the outdoor semester, and
this course is where it all began. A Semester
in the Rockies will take you on a wild west
"tour de force? while giving you a complete set
of skills to lead and teach in the backcountry,
whether in the field of outdoor education or with
your own friends and family. Our grads are
among the most well-rounded and self-sufficient
backcountry travelers in the world. They can pad-
dle a canoe down a class III rapid, make a quick
medical decision miles from the nearest road,
and navigate through winding slot canyons.
You'll see some of the great American
West's most treasured spots, carving a telemark
turn through the winter wilderness on one sec-
tion and jamming your hands into cracks while
climbing Devil's Tower National Monument on
the next. Because the Rockies are a mecca for
outdoor activities, the Semester in the Rockies
offers a variety of skill sets, allowing students to
choose the combinations they prefer.
Roo Riley
Above: The churning rapids of Utah's Green River provide
the perfect progression for learning to paddle an oar rig.
Left: Route finding in Wyoming's Wind River Mountains.
Instructor Lauren Edwards on a classic crack climb, "Wine and Roses,? in Fremont Canyon, Wyoming.
BACKPACKING
(summer and fall) Map reading, route-finding, cooking and Leave No Trace practices will
become second nature as you travel through Wyoming's Wind River or Absaroka ranges.
Advanced topics covered on this section include fly fishing, baking, off-trail navigation,
GPS use and environmental ethics.
MOUNTAINEERING
(fall option only) The rugged glacier-carved Wind River Range is the ideal environment
for learning wilderness mountaineering. The climbing, belaying and rappelling skills you'll
learn on this section will enable you to challenge yourself on technical peak ascents while
honing other fundamental backcountry skills.
WINTER
(fall and spring) The Rocky Mountains' harsh and beautiful winter environment will create
some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of your semester. After breaking trail
from camp to camp, you'll "dig in,? building a snow shelter for you and your coursemates to
camp in. Much time will also be devoted to practicing your telemark turn or snowboarding
technique on backcountry slopes and assessing snow and avalanche conditions.
ROCK CLIMBING
This fast-paced section takes place in some of the West's most famous climbing areas, from
Nevada's Red Rocks to Idaho's City of Rocks and the Needles in South Dakota. It begins
with a foundation of skills such as bouldering, belaying, rappelling, knots and climbing
techniques. We'll emphasize advanced topics such as anchor construction, direct aid, belay
escapes and gear selection. If you're ready, there will also be opportunities to lead climb.
RIVER TRAVEL
This multi-day expedition through Utah's scenic river canyons will introduce you to the fun
and excitement of whitewater. Whether in a kayak, a canoe, an oar raft or a paddle raft,
you'll learn to read the water, scout rapids, and execute maneuvers such as eddy-turns, peelouts
and ferries. Depending on your craft, advanced skills such as surfing, playboating, raft
captaining and solo canoeing will also be taught and practiced on this very hands-on section.
www.nols.edu ? (800) 710 - NOLS ? admissions@nols.edu 75
David Anderson
ROCKY MOUNTAIN