http://www.nols.edu/alumni/events

National Outdoor Leadership School - Index

National Outdoor Leadership School - brochure - Index

18
THE
Leader
ALUMNI HAPPENINGS
TRIPS
Amonth may be too much to ask from the boss, so the NOLS Alumni office offers shorter
backcountry trips that are specifically designed for our grads. We encourage you to
bring family and friends along on these weeklong expeditions to reconnect with the school
and introduce others to your NOLS experience. These trips have the same top-quality instructors
of regular NOLS courses, but the atmosphere is a little more relaxed. And while
these aren’t guided trips, we do cater a bit more to the desires and maturity levels of our
participants. Customized trips are also available; call us to design your dream adventure.
Baja Sailing
Date: January 26–February 2, 2008
Cost: $ 1475
Always a favorite, so sign up soon! This year’s Baja Sailing trip will be exploring a route
in the islands outside of Ensenada Blanco near Loreto. You will travel amongst several
islands in the fascinating Sea of Cortez with abundant marine life and beautiful green waters.
Travel will be in 22-foot yawl-rigged Drascombe Longboats that can accommodate
4-5 people and all their gear. Nights will be spent camping on desert beaches with days
spent improving sailing skills, relaxing, exploring, photography and snorkeling.
Southwest Climbing
Date: February 23–29, 2008
Cost: $ 1375
Spend some time at Cochise Stronghold in
southeast Arizona learning and improving
your climbing skills. It’s also a great way to
introduce friends or family to the sport of
climbing. This trip accommodates all climbing
ability levels with a flexible curriculum to
match the group’s needs. Individuals will
work with instructors in small groups of similar
abilities to maximize climbing time. You’ll
learn about anchors, movement on the rock,
multi-pitch climbing, and rescue scenarios.
Our base camp at Cochise Stronghold is a
perfect place to learn or improve your skills
while escaping to the sunny Southwest.
Baja Sea Kayaking & Whale Watching
Dates: February 29–March 9, 2008
Cost: $ 1550
After a long winter stateside, are you ready to venture south to some of the most beautiful
and inaccessible beaches on the Sea of Cortez in Baja California? Come explore
with us on this new alumni trip, sea kayaking on the Sea of Cortez and whale watching
on Laguna San Ignacio; the best of Baja in one trip.
You will learn paddle strokes, navigation, rescue techniques, and more. There
will be opportunities for hiking and snorkeling in the afternoons when it is often times
too windy to be sea kayaking. This trip always fills fast so don't delay in signing up!
Teton Ski and Snowboard
Date: March 2–7, 2008
Cost: $ 1100
Whether you love winter or seek the thrill and solitude
of skiing in the backcountry, this trip will teach
you how to travel in a world of snow. Winter travel
in the Northern Rockies is challenging and demands
hard work, but the rewards are amazing—
you’ll leave with a new set of skills for traveling
competently in a harsh and beautiful environment.
Skis and snowboards are your main tool in deep untracked snow. You’ll begin
your winter adventure with one and a half days of expert instruction at our local ski
area, Grand Targhee—world famous for its powder skiing in open glades. You’ll work
with experienced ski instructors to learn basic cross-country and downhill technique
complete with videotaping. In the evening, you’ll review the day’s ski videos and learn
about cold injury prevention and avalanche awareness.
Brad Christensen
Bill White
Deborah Sussex
British Virgin Islands Sailing
Date: May 17–24, 2008
Cost: $ 1875
Learn the art of keelboat sailing on this brand new alumni trip offering. The waters of
the British Virgin Islands will be your home for seven days of learning. The curriculum
is the same as a NOLS semester sailing section and will focus extensively on sailing
and living aboard a mid-sized (50-foot) cruiser. You’ll learn charts, navigation, and
seamanship while taking turns cooking meals and rotating through the various crew
positions. You’ll enjoy the striking scenery of the British Virgin Islands while sharing
quarters with a few other participants and NOLS instructors. After this trip, you’ll feel
confident sailing with an experienced crew.
Salmon River Family Rafting - Idaho
Date: June 25–29, 2008
Cost: $ 1000
Get away for a great outdoor family vacation. Invite your parents, bring the kids and
enjoy some quality time on one of the West’s most beautiful rivers. Enjoy camping on
sandy beaches, having fun, feeling the rush of whitewater, and the calm of s’mores
around the campfire. The Salmon River bisects the largest wilderness area in the lower
48, the Frank Church Wilderness. Travel will be by paddle raft and oar rig on this 86mile
stretch of river. Take this chance to create some family memories that will last for
years to come.
Family Camping in the Wind River Mountains
Date: July 21–26, 2008
Cost: $ 1250
Relive your fondest memories of Wyoming’s Wind River
Mountains with your family. This trip travels into the Winds
using llamas to transport the majority of our gear as you
shoulder a daypack of necessities. We’ll cover basic wilderness
skills including navigation, cooking and LNT techniques.
There will be time for fly fishing, photography,
hiking and enjoying the beautiful surroundings of these majestic
mountains. This is a great way to introduce your children,
parents and friends to the essence of a NOLS course.
We can accommodate campers ages 10 and older.
Gannett Peak Mountaineering (Alumni only)
Date: July 28–August 7, 2008
Cost: $ 2200
Hidden deep in the Wind River Range, above jumbled moraine and glacial ice, Gannett
Peak is Wyoming’s highest point. Reaching this remote 13,804-foot summit requires
an approach of several days, followed by the climb itself. You’ll travel on snow and ice,
cross Dinwoody Glacier and work up the rock to the summit. This expedition is a perfect
opportunity to put your NOLS camping and travel skills back to work while polishing
your mountaineering techniques. Horses will pack in the climbing gear and much of
your food. Bring your camera; the vista from the “Top of Wyoming” is beyond compare.
Canoe the Soper River, Baffin Island
Date: August 7–16, 2008
Cost: $ 2100
In the surreal and mythical landscape of Baffin Island, you’ll embark on an Arctic expedition
that canoes down this Canadian Heritage river. A tundra plane will fly you in, and
then you’re off down the Soper River (class I-II) in folding river canoes. The beauty of
this river, coupled with a number of fun rapids, makes it an ideal setting to learn the basics
of wilderness canoeing. You will also spend a night in Kimmirut and have the possibility
to come home with amazing world-renowned soapstone artwork crafted by the
native Inuit. Take advantage of the long Arctic days as you explore, fish or just relax.
REUNIONS
NOLS reunions are organized for grads, friends, families and prospective students to
mingle and reconnect with the school. Join us for inspiring adventure presentations
by NOLS grads, great snacks, raffles, and good ol’ NOLS camaraderie.
We’ve had recent events in NYC, Houston, DC and Charlotte. Upcoming reunions
include Portland, Anchorage, Boston, Seattle, San Francisco and Jackson, Wyoming.
For more information and specific details about a reunion near you, or to RSVP
for an event, please visit www.nols.edu/alumni/events.
Rich Brame