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National Outdoor Leadership School - Index

National Outdoor Leadership School - Nols - Index

SEMESTER IN
PATAGONIA
Deemed one of the most challenging semesters
at NOLS, the Semester in Patagonia has
strong leadership outcomes on account of adapting
to and operating in harsh weather. Teamwork,
communication and problem solving are critical
to the success of this expedition.
You begin your semester in Coyhaique,
Chile for 10 days of wilderness first aid training
before stepping into the backcountry for 70 days.
Once on this unique continuous expedition, your
transition between sections includes swapping
mountaineering gear for sea kayaking gear as
your group rendezvouses with another Patagonia
semester on an opposite route.
You'll hike and camp in Patagonia's valleys
and mountains and sea kayak in breathtaking
Patagonian archipelagos, stopping to visit with lo-
cals along the way; some knowledge of Spanish
will enhance these cultural opportunities. The grand
finale of this remote adventure is the extended
student expedition, when you and a small group
of your peers earn the privilege of planning and
traveling a route independent of your instructors.
Craig Lenske
Above: Paddle hard and pod up! Left: Rugged, remote and
unpredictable, Patagonia demands leadership and teamwork.
Home to some of the world's largest icefields, Patagonia is yours to explore.
WILDERNESS FIRST RESPONDER (WFR)
Before embarking into the field, you and your coursemates will receive an 80-hour WFR
training taught by staff of the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS (WMI). This is the
standard course for outdoor professionals and provides you with the tools to make critical
medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations.
MOUNTAIN TRAVEL
You'll move up remote mountain valleys, plan routes, and choose campsites. Early in the
course, your instructors will lead you, helping you to read maps, find routes, and judge
and evaluate hazards. They will then step back incrementally until you find yourself in
charge. Some days you'll be named "leader of the day? and be responsible for a small group
of your fellow students. Depending on the weather and how your entire group is progressing,
you may have a chance to cross vast glaciers, work on such skills as tying knots and
handling ropes, and stage crevasse rescue scenarios.
SEA KAYAKING
Most of Chile is off the beaten path for world travelers, and the island chains of the southern
part of the country are no exception. You'll learn about the dynamic environment of the region,
strong currents, tidal fluctuations and fickle weather. Instruction will include paddling
techniques, rescue skills, route planning and coastal weather. You'll also study the natural history
of the area while you continue to hone your leadership and communication skills.
EXTENDED STUDENT EXPEDITION
After you've successfully completed the previous three sections, you'll move into the student
expedition. Typically, groups of four to six students travel without immediate instructor supervision
for a 7- to 10-day hike through the wilds of Patagonia. Before setting out, and
under the supervision of your instructors, your group will craft a travel plan, work out a proposed
route, and get ready to use and refine what you've learned over the past months.
DETAILS FALL SPRING
Age and Length: 18 & Over ? Average age: 20 ? Duration: 80 days
Offered fall, spring
Tuition: $13,500 (fall); $13,200 (spring)
Course start/end: Coyhaique, Chile
Fly in/out: Balmaceda, Chile
College Credit: 2 hours Environmental Ethics; 4 hours Leadership Techniques; 4 hours Skills Practicum; 4 hours Risk
Assessment; 2 hours Expedition Planning; 3 hours WFR credit
Dates and Sections: page 113
www.nols.edu ? (800) 710 - NOLS ? admissions@nols.edu 93
Ignacio Grez
PATAGONIA