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National Outdoor Leadership School - Index

National Outdoor Leadership School - Nols - Index

SEMESTER IN
BAJA
Flanked by the Pacific Ocean on the west and
the Sea of Cortez on the east, the Baja Cali-
fornia Peninsula is a land of extremes and con-
trasts. Granite and volcanic mountain ranges
extend over 1,000 miles down the peninsula's
central spine, and Picacho del Diablo, a 10,126-
foot peak in the northern mountains, is snow-cov-
ered in winter months. The rest of Baja California,
while still very rugged and mountainous, is Sono-
ran Desert country, receiving less than 10 inches
of rainfall a year. Here exists an amazing variety of
desert life, including more than 110 species of
cacti. For three months, you'll explore these con-
trasting environments on foot, in a sea kayak, and
under a sail while having ample opportunities for
cultural and Spanish language interactions with
local students, educators, ranchers and fisher-
men. You will learn the skills you need to visit
these ecosystems and communities comfortably
and responsibly in the future.
Julie Brown
Above: Baja's coast is full of hidden coves that beg exploration.
Left: Instructor Danielle "Digger? Dignan at the
bow of a Drascombe Longboat, the perfect boat to learn
the art of sailing.
Baja, where the mountains meet the sea. Students Drew Farwell and Danny Kaufman enjoy the view from the summit of
Picacho del Diablo.
BACKPACKING
Starting with the finer points of Leave No Trace camping, route selection, map reading, risk
management, and hazard evaluation, the backpacking section of a Baja Semester takes you
deep into the desert and mountains of beautiful Mexico. Classes will include discussions on
group dynamics, leadership techniques, geology, wildlife identification and informal Spanish
instruction. As you move through this environment, you may meet and get acquainted
with local ranchers who call this remote land home.
SAILING
Your mode of travel for this section will be a 22-foot Drascombe Longboat, a great open
boat that will let you explore the remote coves that larger sailing vessels can't reach. You'll
move along the coastline, camping on shore during the night and hoisting sail during the
day. In the midst of learning coastal navigation, teamwork, seamanship, anchoring, sail
trim, line handling and steering, you may take time off to snorkel the warm waters of the
ocean and discover the underwater life of Baja.
SEA KAYAKING
Along with learning coastal kayaking skills like navigation, rolling, surfing and paddle
strokes, you'll also focus on free diving skills, water risk management, and, perhaps, spear
fishing. Desert natural history is also a large part of these sections because it's easy to take
advantage of land-based activities when the sea is too rough for travel. Some semesters
make an open water crossing to explore uninhabited islands located in the Gulf of California,
while others visit San Nicolás, a remote fishing village where you'll spend some time
learning about the local culture. You'll travel through these protected wildlands, observing
the abundant bird and marine life and becoming enchanted with this land and its people.
DETAILS FALL SPRING
Age and Length: 17 & Over ? Average age: 20 ? Duration: 78 days
Offered fall, spring
Tuition: $10,925 (fall); $10,675 (spring)
Course start/end: Ensenada, BCN, Mexico (fall); La Paz, BCS, Mexico (spring) / Mulegé, BCS, Mexico (fall, spring)
Fly in/out: San Diego, California, USA (fall), La Paz, BCS, Mexico (spring) / Loreto, BCS, Mexico (fall, spring)
College Credit: 2 hours Biology; 2 hours Environmental Ethics; 4 hours Leadership Techniques; 6 hours Skills Practicum;
2 hours Risk Assessment
Dates and Sections: page 112
www.nols.edu ? (800) 710 - NOLS ? admissions@nols.edu 89
Alexis Alloway
MEXICO