Spring 2013 Leader

8/13/2019 Spring 2013 Leader

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Leader

For Alumni of the National Outdoor Leadership School

Spring 2013 Vol. 28 No. 2

THE

PAGE 16

TECHNOLOGYIN THE FIELDFEATURE, PAGE 12

EXPEDITION DENALI:INSPIRING DIVERSITYIN THE OUTDOORS

FEATURE, PAGE 10


2/17

SpringLeaderTHE

Casey Dean

Editor

Sam Baker

Designer

Alisha Bube

Designer

Rich Brame

Alumni Relations Director

John Gans

NOLS Executive Director

March 2013 Volume 28 No.2

Publishedthreetimesayear inMarch,July,

andNovember.

Postmaster: Send address changes to

National Outdoor Leadership School

284 Lincoln St.

Lander, WY 82520

The Leaderis a magazine for alumni of

the National Outdoor Leadership School

(NOLS), a nonprofit school focusing

on wilderness skills, leadership, and

environmental ethics. It is mailed to ap-

proximately 60,000 NOLS alumni and an

additional 10,000 prospective students.

NOLS graduates living in the U.S. receive

a free subscription to The Leaderfor life.

The Leaderaccepts paid advertising and

welcomesarticlesubmissionsandcomments.

Please address all correspondence to

[email protected] or call (307) 332-8800.

Alumni can direct address changes to

[email protected] or (800) 332-4280. For

the most up-to-date information on NOLS,

visitnols.edu ore-mail [email protected].

The Leaderis printed with soy-based inks

in Portland, Ore., on paper using 30 percent

post-consumer-recycled content. A paper-

less version of The Leader is available

online at www.nols.edu/alumni/leader.

SUMMER DREAMING

As I look out my window today, grey clouds gliding across a cold blue sky, Imtaken to a place much warmer: summer. Rather than reflecting on exciting sum-mers passed, however, my thoughts slip forward like the clouds, and I find myselfon the edge of my seat in anticipation of summer 2013. I imagine the grins of our students on summer courses across the world, fromthe Pacific Northwest to the Teton Valley to East Africa. There are so many storiesour alumni carry with them after their NOLS course, ranging from the young,recent graduate (see page 29) to the alumna of a decades-ago course (page 31).These are the stories that fuel our passion from season to season, from year to year. These stories are also a point of inspiration for youth who have not yet discov-ered the great outdoors. This summer, NOLS is embarking on a historic journeyto create and disseminate stories that will reach youth underrepresented in our in-valuable, wild places. NOLS Expedition Denali, the first African American teamto make a summit bid on North Americas tallest peak, launches this summer,inspiring a generation of people of color. After the June expedition, the team willtour the nation, speaking to African American youth, inspiring them to discover,explore, and protect natural spaces. I encourage you to read more about Expedi-tion Denali and our supporters on page 10. This reminds me of another partnership Im delighted to see culminate thissummer. Shelli Johnson, a 2011 NOLS graduate and life coach, and NOLSProfessional Training are collaborating to provide an Epic Women Adventure inthe Wind River Mountains this August. The ways our graduates find to use theirNOLS experience and touch others lives continually inspires me. This is goingto be an exciting summer, for our students, our graduates, and our future. As each season approaches and passes, we remain dedicated to improvingthe backcountry and educational experience we offer our students. Part of thatinvolves exploring new techniques and, yes, technology. As more and more out-doorspeople are trading their paperback books for eReaders, we, too, are explor-ing the feasibility, applicability, and philosophical implica tions of implementingthese tools on our expedition courses. Through a pilot project that is currentlyunderway, invigorating dialogue and exciting data have filled NOLS Headquar-ters and NOLS Rocky Mountain. You can find an update on the first portion ofthe pilot project on page 12. As always, we invite your feedback and input on this publication. With mycold fingers wrapped around my coffee mug, perhaps the most fun subject matterin this issue of The Leaderis the treasure trove of backcountry coffee tips. We inviteyou to weigh in (add to the comments we collected for page 4) in video form fora chance to win a brand-new Aero Press. Learn more in the Recipe Box on page24 and on NOLS.TV. Enjoy the spring and start planning those summer adventures!

John Gans,

NOLS Executive Director

LeaderTHE

C

Cont

om the Director

WHAT ARE THESE BOXES? Theyre

QR codestwo-dimensional barcodes

that can be read by smartphone cameras.

Search QR code to find a free app for

your phone, then use it to read images

of the QR codes in The Leader. Scan the

code above to see the latest episode of

The NOLS Cooking Show.

HILARY HAYS

Field Notes, pg 5

Hays has been a NOLS field

instructor since 2007. She

instructs river courses as well

as hiking and horse packing

courses. In her spare time, Hays

hangs out in the Tetons back-

country skiing and kayaking.

BRIAN FABEL

Feature, pg 14

Fabel works as the NOLS Rocky

Mountain special projects man-

ager and a field instructor. For

the five years prior, he helped

create new marketing materials

and clients as marketing coor-

dinator for NOLS Professional

Training. In his spare time, Fabel

is director of the International

Climbers Festival.

KATIE & SAM NEWBURY

Cover article, pg 16

Katie Newbury lives in Durango,

Colo. with her husband and

teammate Sam Newbury. They

discovered their love for tandem

touring on a six-week tour in

Patagonia. When these NOLS

instructors arent in the mountains

adventuring or working, they can

be found coloring and drinking

giant mugs of tea.

LJ DAWSON

Belay Off, pg 29

After her NOLS adv

in the Big Horn Mo

Dawson started her

year of high school

in Colorado Spring

with three Border C

regularly camps an

her nature fix.

WHO IS THIS?

Recognize this person? The first

10 people to contact us with the

correct answer will receive a free

NOLS t-shirt. Call NOLS Alumni

at (800) 332-4280 or email

[email protected].

The answer to last is-

sues Who Is This is John

Whisnant, 1970s instructor

and current NOLS Advisory

Council member.

Departments

5 FIELD NOTES: Lessons in life and kayaking

6 ISSUE ROOM:Lease buyout spares Hoback Basin

7 WILD SIDE OF MEDICINE:Not quite the same as class

8 ALUMNI PROFILE:Life coach teams up with NOLS Pro

9 ALUMNI PROFILE:Over two decades with NOLS Patagonia

20 ALUMNI TRIPS: Return to the backcountry. Bring a friend.

21 REVIEWS:Food, water, Wilderness

22 GEAR ROOM:GZ Helios by Orvis

24 RECIPE BOX:Coffee, your way

25 JABBERWOCKY:Catch up on your coursemates lives

26 SUSTAINABILITY:Team 2020

27 BRANCH NOTES:By the numbers

27 GIVING:Small gifts make a difference

29 BELAY OFF:A young grads journal

31 TRAVERSES:Trout, its whats for dinner

Features

10 INSPIRING DIVERSITY IN THE OUTDOORS

To inspire youth of colorparticular ly African Am

to get outside, get active, and become stewards of

places, NOLS will lead the first African American e

attempt Denalis summit.

12 TECHNOLOGY IN THE FIELD

As part of a pilot program, NOLS sent eight Nook

the field with semester courses.

14 FOSTERING A COMMUNITY

NOLS began working with Fort Washakie High Sc

to further strengthen and support NOLS connectio

reservation and to provide a unique experiential ed

component for students.

16 COVER: MOVING AS ONE

Two instructors ride one tandem bike from Bozem

Silverthorne, Colo.


3/17

SpringLeaderTHE

LeaderTHE

ASKI TRAVERSEOF THECLASSIC NOLSCOURSE WITHLIZ HARDWICK

WINDEDINTHEWINDS:

A NEWWAYTO EXPLORE: NOLSENTERSTHE WORLD OFP ACKRAFTINGFEATURE, PAGE11

REDEFINE POSSIBLEBELAY OFF, PAGE30

PAGE 16

FOR ALUMNI OFTHENATIONALOUTDOORLEADERSH IP SCHOOL SPRING2012 VOL. 27 NO. 2

I LOVE THE RIVER BECAUSE ITS SO

dynamic; its always moving, alwayschanging. You cannot control the river,and you certainly cant stop it. You justhave to go with the flow and take thingsas they come. I say something like this all summer tocountless NOLS students on the river. Last winter I took a trip to Ecuador

with my husband, Dan. We had planneda winter of kayaking in the tropical watersof the equator, and we were excited to geton as many as 15 rivers. It was all going tobe so perfect. We arrived in Ecuador wide-eyed andbrimming with excitement. We settled ina town in the Andes at the heart of theQuijos river valley. Our first section wasthe Lower Quijos, 18 miles long, withmostly class III and one class IV rapid. It

was a spectacular warm-up run; with wa-terfalls and birdlife all around, it was theperfect introduction to Ecuadorian rivers. We ended that first day on top of the

world and made plans with new friendsto run the Consanga the next day. TheConsanga is a class IV run with continu-ous boulder gardens and technical moves. As we floated out into the current, I feltexcited, nervous, and relaxed all at once.

We quickly realized the level was a littlehigher than we had expected. Everyone

was running good l ines though, and weall set safety for each other. Just as we got into the thick of it, a

wave caught my edge, and I was over. I hitmy head on one rock and then another. I

was soon out of my boat and swimmingright in front of a boulder sieve. I madeit to shore, and my paddling partnersrescued my boat. However, by the timeI had climbed up the soggy jungle wall,crossed a swinging bridge, and come backdown the other side to get my boat, I wasshaken up and tired. I reminded myself to relax and keep

with it. I told myself all the things I tellstudents: Stay calm. Breathe. You can do

it. I blocked all negative thoughts, andwe were off again. About four rapids later, I was exhaust-ed. I dropped into a boulder garden and

was instantly stopped by a hole. I gotsurfed for a while and finally flipped andswam out. I was so tired I could barelyswim. My teammates pulled me ashore

with a throw bag and gathered my boat.I sat on the shore, sapped of energy. I kept a positive attitude, but I hadto consider risk management. If I swamagain, I could be in severe danger. Icould barely move my arms, and I wouldput the group at risk if I continued. Idecided to hike out. We all agreed it wasthe best decision, but as the rest of theteam paddled away from Dan and me,emotions flooded in. I started to cry. I was defeated, embar-rassed, exhausted, scared, thirsty, andbruised. I had let myself down, and I hadpushed myself past my limits. I began todoubt myself as a kayaker, leader, andpartner. I thought about every time I hadhelped a student though a difficult situ-ation; now I was the one s wimming andcrying. It had been so long since I hadhad a bad swim, and I had really lost thatfeeling of being gripped on a river.

Then it all clicked. I love the river because you cant con-trol it, it never stops, and you must alwaysbe engaged. I love the river because itnever stops teaching you, humbling you,and helping you grow physically andmentally strong. We got back out on a class III riverto rebuild my confidence. It wasnt longbefore I was running stretches much moreadvanced than the Consangaand styl-ing my lines. It had all been a success. Ihad turned a bad situation into an op-portunity for growth. I was on top ofthe world, and I was excited to see what

would happen next. What happened next was more diffi-cult that anything Ive done on a river.Dans grandfather had passed away at thestart of our trip, and now we needed tocut our expedition short to be with hisfamily. It occurred to me just how simi-lar life and the river can be. You cant control the river, and youcertainly cant stop it. You have to go withthe flow and take things as they come. Our trip did not play out as planned.Not by a long shot. Even if it wasnt thetrip we had planned, it seemed to be thetrip that I needed.

LESSONS IN LIFE AND KAYAKINGOUR TRIP DID NOT PLAY OUT AS PLANNED ...

BY HILARY HAYS, NOLS INSTRUCTOR

edback Fie

What do you think? Join the conversation.

Send your feedback or conversation starters to [email protected], post it to

Facebook, tweet it (@NOLSedu), or give us at call at 800-710-6657 ext 2254.

Find back issues online at www.nols.edu/leader

Hilary Hays and her paddling partners rest on the shore in Ecuador. Hilary Hays

do you brew?

test NOLS Cooking show runs through a variety of approaches to cof fee in the backcountry. We not only

rage you to send a video response to our overview (learn more a bout what you could win on page 24),

e also gathered alumni thoughts to prime you for the topic.

cebook Feed

asked, Whats your favorite way to

e coffee in the backcountry? You

onded:

AN CONEY:When doing cowboy coffee, I've found

dding a little chocolate pudding to the grounds

it so you can actually eat them. This works till

d 50% or more of the mixture is grounds, where it

mes unpalatable.

EL BOGAERTSMini Italian espresso maker + MSR

t rocket. It makes for lightweight perfection every

S COLNEYNever have I been in a place that lugging

ench press hasn't been worth the effort.

BLANTONcowboy coffeeno other way! When

me, do as the romans do. When in the middle of

ere, get back to your ancestral roots and get tribal.

dy cares if you have coffee grounds in your teeth

youre in the backcountry...

LAS LOWRYOK, first the disclaimer, I'm a sea kay-

nd live the life of luxury while in the backcountry.

ever it is, we will find room for it. I use a stainless

press and now take this wonderful gift from a

NOLS alumnus: http://tinyurl.com/a4trg5w coffee

ers can go on pretending that coffee grounds in your

are some sort of badge of authenticity, but I'm not

to celebrate advancements in culture and

the sciences. Anyway, whatever way you like your coffee

don't use boiling water, let it cool down some or you'll

burn the flavor right out of it. Can't help you instant

drinkers though.

BRIAN DROURRWell that is somewhat of a loaded

question. Are we winter camping? If so, then let grounds

sit for a few minutes in a pot of boiling water just off

the stove, then a splash or two of cold water to help the

grounds sink, then add to a mug with hot coco power and

a chunk of cheese. If backpacking, I generally use my

French press mug (a tea steeper works well as well in a

pinch). If I am on the river, well then all bets are off and

I have a stovetop percolator to make a cup that rivals my

home drip machine. Got to have a good cup of Jo for the

morning groover visit. Again like you taught us on my

course, there is a right tool for every job you just need to

know how to use it and where to find it. I have even used

a clean bandana as a filter to make a great cup of coffee

with in a pinch!

CHRIS QUINNI just chew the beans like some kind of

caffeine-seeking beaver.

JOHN MORRISONA f(r)iend of mine once told me that

she has dipped grounds. Coffee grounds, tucked under

the lip. I prefer grounds in a tea bag...but, Should I ever

forget, I'll be dipping like my fiend. Uh, friend.

DREW CLAIREChocolate covered Espresso beans in

Gorp/trail mix.

JC CANFIELDI brew with an Aeropress. I use a

Hario Skerton grinder (yes, I bring whole beans).

Might even bring a thermometer to make sure not

to burn it!

TIM GIBBSThe aeropress is the easiest method

I've ever used! It lacks the metal that results in

bitter brews and makes a pitch perfect shot of

espresso anywhere. Paired with a jetboil you can

make lattes for ten at Phantom Ranch or Ameri-

canos off your tailgate in Terlingua Ghost Town.

Want to try the AeroPress for you rself? Turn to

page 24 for your chance to win one!

JACQUE ALESSIWhats brewing? Chocolate

covered beans are the best!

PAUL ERICKSONAt home I make little packets

of ground coffee with unbleached paper filters. I

secure the packets with either staples or rubber

bands. On the trail I just boil coffee packets in

my pot.

JACK KASTERInsta coffee mixed in with my

oatmeal. Quick, easy, and a good start to the

morning.


4/17

SpringLeaderTHE

ANOTHERBRICKHASBEENLAIDTOSHOREUPTHE

foundation of conservation in the WyomingRange. In a remarkable display of generosity andcommunity cohesion, the Trust for Public Landannounced in early January the completion ofa deal to purchase the leases attached to 58,000acres of land within the Bridger Teton NationalForest in the northern reaches of the WyomingRange. In just 90 days, more than 1,000 individu-als donated the $8.75 million needed to purchasethe leases from Houston-based Plains Explorationand Production (PXP). This buyout is Wyoming conservationistsmost significant victory in recent memory. Itput a stop to PXPs plans for the installation of136 natural gas wells, and as a result guaranteedpermanent protection for the headwaters of theHoback River, critical wildlife migration routes,and prized hiking, climbing, fishing, and hunt-ing opportunities. When President Barack Obama signed the

Wyoming Range Legacy Act into law in 2009, heand Congress established a critical mandate forprotection for the rangethough the act did notprevent development on previously existing leasesin the area. The recent buyout puts to rest devel-opment in the northern part of the range, butNOLS now must turn its attention to the leasesfurther south, near the Horse Creek road head.

Several courses, including Adventure coursesfor younger age groups and backcountry skiingand winter camping sections, use the WyomingRange just to the south of the Hoback Basin.NOLS is collaborating with allies in the rangesconservation efforts. It is our hope that allexisting leases in the Wyoming Range will belaid to rest and the entire area will remain freeof development. The success in the Hoback Basin serves as anexample of the sense of persistence and determi-nation that is important to instill in the leaders oftomorrow. It is important, however, that we work

with lawmakers and land management agenciesto establish decisions that preserve our class-rooms. Though there is public support for con-servation, passing the hat to buy back our publiclands is not a sustainable long-term solution. Cong ratulation s to The Trust for PublicLand for their remarkable achievement, to The

Wilderness Society, the Wyoming OutdoorCouncil, and Citizens for the Wyoming Range

who were critical to setting the stage for the deal,and thank you to all who continue to contributeto the lasting protection of the Wyoming Range.This newly preserved landscape serves as anever-present example to future NOLS studentsof todays struggle to maintain wild spaces.

LEASE BUYOUT

WYOMINGS HOBACK BASIN SPAREDBY JACK FISHER, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY INTERN

ue Room Wild Side of M

REAL LIFE

ISNT ALWAYS LIKE THE CLASSROOMBY TOD SCHIMELPFENIG, NOLS WILDERNESS MEDICINE INSTITUTE CURRICULUM DIRECTOR

CLASSROOM MEDICINE ISWONDERFUL. IT

works. Our splints make the patient com-fortable, dislocations reduce easily, andlitter carry practice is over in a matter ofhours. But, as a NOLS semester learned

when a seemingly innocent fall in theSouthwest caused a painful patella dislo-cation, the real world is not so simple.

This particular patella, which easilyslips into place in the classroom, refusedto budge. It was eventually reduced withsedation and a physicians skill. The steep terrain made crafting thesplint and moving the patient to a flatcamping spot an epic unto itself, requiringcareful communication and coordination,blending leadership and teamwork with

wilderness medicine.

The arrival of the litter and accom-panying litter bearers the next morningmade an extremely difficult task onlydifficult. Gaining the first ridge tookhours of sweat and toil, a rope to belaythe litter, and coordination between thelitter bearers and those lugging the courseequipment. This remained the themeover the next two days. Those of us watching this event un-fold from the comfort of our officeslooking at the topographic map andGoogle Earth remembered the vegeta-

tion and shattered rock underfoot andknew a litter carry was not going to be apicnic. While classroom speeches speakof reserving the use of helicopters forlife and limb wilderness rescues, its analtogether different matter to determine,for real, that neither life, limb, patient,nor rescuer safety is in jeopardy and tomake a decision to carry a patient. Thereward is hard work and pride in yourhigh standards for wilderness. Much of wilderness medicine seemsmundane yet is so very necessary. Thetasks of patient cleanliness and comfort,hydration, nutrition, and the impro-vised bathroom are classroom words thatbecome real effort in the field, especiallyover days and days. The splint must bechecked, and in this case opened, to dryand clean the skin that became sweatyin the hot environment. The focus mustremain on the patient; nonetheless, thecaregivers cannot forget to keep them-selves healthy and effective. Two full days of manhandling the litteruphill, slipping on loose scree and whack-ing the bush delivered the patient to the

waiting NOLS vehicle. The evacuationteam wore the weary and satisfied smilesof knowing they did the tough job with-out complaint and did it well. This patients companions demon-strated their excellent expedition behav-ior and leadership when it matterednot in the blush of excitement or thecomfort of the classroom, but in the daysof sustained effort.

PREVENTION PRINCIPLES FOR COMMUNIC

DISEASE INCLUDE

a. Im mediately picking up dropped food.

b. St oring food between 45F (7C) and

140F (60C).

c. H eating water until small bubbles appear.

d. Washing hands.

Answer on page 26.

WILDERNESS MEDICINE QUIZ

The students put their lessons to work in challenging terrai

ULY

NOLS and others meet to discuss theending lease sale of 175,000 acres

n the Wyoming Range.

SEPTEMBER

he U.S. Forest Service revises theroposed acreage to be leased from75,000 to 44,700 acres.

ANUARY

An outreach campaign ensues,onsisting of public meetings, mediautreach, and grassroots efforts.

DECEMBER

Oil and gas leasing of 44,700ontroversial acres begins.

AUGUGST

tatewide support builds.ragically, U.S. Senator Craighomas passes away days before heould introduce a bill on behalf ofhe stakeholders.

OCTOBER 25

enator John Barrasso, Thomaseplacement, introduces the

Wyoming Range Legacy Act.

MARCH 30

resident Obama signs the Wyomingange Legacy Act into law,rohibiting future oil and gas leasesom being issued.

ANUARY

he Trust For Public Land coordi-ates the purchase of all 58,000cres of PXPs leases in the Wyo-

ming Range for $8.75 million.

OOKING FORWARD

ermanent protection remainslusive for the southern sectionf the 44,700 acres. NOLS is

working with stakeholders tonsure this classroom remains freef development.

THE STEEP TERRAIN MADECRAFTING THE SPLINT AND MOVING

THE PATIENT TO A FLAT CAMPINGSPOT AN EPIC UNTO ITSELF.

SKILL SERIES

WMI has a growing collection of skills videos to refresh your memory

on such practices as splints. Watch our pelvic wrap video to review the

stabilization used in this recent drama in real life by scanning this QR code

or visiting www.nols.tv and searching Pelvic Wrap Video.

The Hoback Basin near Jackson, Wyo. has been protected through the diligent efforts of many so it will continue to be available to many.

Aaron Bannon

What is the Wyoming Range Legacy Act?

How has this legislation affected recent

environmental public policy?

Answer on page 25.

WILDERNESS QUIZ


5/17


6/17

SpringLeaderTHE

BY 2042 A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS WILL BE PEOPLEof color. Last year a majority of children under age 1were babies of color. The majority of citizens in 10states are people of color. Latinos are the fastest growingnon-Caucasian demographic, and will constitute abouta third of our nations population by 2050. These num-bers are, in my mind, amazinga fantastic culminationto two centuries of immigration into this country.

Yet despite the rapidly shifting demographics of ournation, only a small percentage of those who enjoy theoutdoors are people of color, according to the OutdoorFoundations 2012 Outdoor Recreation ParticipationReport. When asked what keeps them from participat-ing in outdoor activities, most people responded thatthey either werent interested or that they lacked access. So what can we do to rewrite the narrative of out-door education to be more inclusive? Role models. A1992 study by NOLS Susan Benepe concluded thattraining people of color to be role models was essentialif adventure education wanted to serve a more diverseaudience. (Benepe, Susan, Racial and ethnic diversityin wilderness use and environmental education.)

Enter Expedition Denali: Inspiring Diversity in theOutdoors. Through this expedition, NOLS will lead thefirst team of African Americans to attempt to summitDenali in June of 2013, making history on the 100thanniversary of its first ascent.

Rising to 20,320 feet above sea level, Denali, alsoknown as Mount McKinley, is the highest peak on theNorth American continent. A team of African Ameri-cans has yet to summit Denali. The Expedition Denaliteam are role models in their own right and include notonly the mountaineers who will be making the summitbid in 2013, but also supporters such as public landsdiversity champion and park ranger Shelton Johnson,Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp, educational reform-ers and founder of GirlTrek Morgan Dixon, writer

James Mills, photographer Dudley Edmondson, and business leaderStephen DeBerry.

The expedition gives these role models a platform from which theycan inspire families of color nationwide to get outside, get active, andconnect with nature. More important than the actual expedition are the grassroots eventsthat will occur across the nation during and after the expedition. Forexample, the longest and most strenuous day on Denali will be thesummit day, a five-mile trip up and back to High Camp. Five miles isroughly equal to 10,000 steps. During the teams ascent, NOLS willpartner with organizations nationwide to rally young people and theirfamilies on the ground tohike their own 10,000Steps to Denali in out-door spaces near theirhomes to commemoratethis historic event. After the expedition,our participants will tourpublic and charter schools, nonprofit institutions, outdoor outreachorganizations, community organizations, and church groups nation-wide on speaking engagements. During this phase of the projectProject Inspirationthe team will inspire youth of color to connectwith Americas wild places and take on outdoor pursuits they neverimagined possiblewhether in recreation, education, policy, conserva-tion, land management, or government. Recently, REI and The North Face joined the ranks of ExpeditionDenali supporters, adding to a list of partners such as the Foundationfor Youth Investment, The Sierra Club Foundation, and The WhiteHouses Lets Move Outside! Campaign to help support, underwritethe costs of the expedition and to outfit our mountaineering team. You too can do your part. Go out and develop some outdoor rolemodels, or highlight one who already exists so young people can seethat someone who looks like them from a similar background is outthere playing in the outdoors. Thats the key to the protection of ourwilderness classrooms.

Left: In June, the predominantly African American team will attempt to summit Denali. iStockphoto.

Above: The team gathers in Lander, Wyo. in February. Brad Christensen.

To learn more about NOLS' Expedition Denali, visit expeditiondenali.nols.edu.

To give to NOLS' diversity and inclusion programs, contact the author at [email protected].

nspiring Diversityn the Outdoors:Expedition Denalilooks ahead

THE EXPEDITION WILL GIVE THESE RMODELS A PLATFORM FROM WHICHCAN INSPIRE FAMILIES OF COLOR NAWIDE TO GET OUTSIDE, GET ACTIVE, CONNECT WITH NATURE.

APARNA RAJAGOPAL-DURBIN, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MANAGER


7/17

SpringLeaderTHE

AS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM, NOLS SENT EIGHT

Nook eReaders into the field last fall with semestercourses. Each eReader weighs less than a paperbackand can hold a large library of NOLS core curriculum,as well as any new bestsell er. The idea of using this tech-nology in the field is evidence of an evolving approachto the wilderness classroom. A number of instructors and students have beenbringing eReaders to the field for personal use sincethe Kindle and Nook hit the market, but NOLS hadnot used them alongside physical books until this pastfall. Thanks to the NOLS Curriculum department, twosemester courses packed in digital versions of the stan-dard backcountry library, protected by hardy Pelicancases, recharged through solar power, and distributedamong tent groups as well as instructors. These studentspacked in the Barnes and Noble Nook that weighs 7.3ounces, has a six-inch electronic-ink screen, can store upto 34 gigabytes, and has a battery life of two months ifused only 30 minutes a day.

The goal of the eReader pilot project is to test usageand durability in the field. During the 192 user daysthe eReaders spent with these fall courses, one tabletbroke. One consideration with the incorporation ofNooks into the curriculum is the investment, care, andupkeep of these eReaders, as the cost of one being bro-ken or accidentally left behind is higher than that of asingle book. On the other hand, attention to the material is alsohigher. The Nooks in the pilot program saw moreuse than the traditional backcountry library. NOLSinstructor Paul Rachelle led one of the courses, aSemester in the Rockies, that piloted the use of the

Nook in the field and reported an overall positive response. [They were] lighter than a traditional field library, and studentsused them more than a field library. They had a ton of stuff on them(more than we could pack in), he wrote. The solar charger workedwell, but we found that cold t emperatures drastically reduced batterylife, so they wouldn't be as good on cold-weather courses. On each course, NOLS sends out a library of backcountry textbooksand the NOLS Cookery, as well as student and instructor personalreading. Numerous paperback books not only fill essential backpackspace, but they also pile the pounds on students backs. With theNook, students and instructors were able to carry a full library in one,lightweight device. This pilot project has sparked more discussion anddata analysis to determine the next phase of their incorporation inNOLS operations.

This pilot program, designed to test the feasibility of using eRead-ers on expedition courses, has also spurred philosophical questions.Most of todays students would rather interact with a screen than atypical book, which encouraged the literary element on NOLS courses.On the other hand, the question of eReaders being a distraction oruntrue to a pure backcountry experience is also being explored.Jamie ODonnell, NOLS Rocky Mountain program supervisor andinstructor, believes that as we approach this new technology, we mustremember that NOLS is a wilderness school, and that we need to staygrounded in the experience and foundations of our schools mission. With the eReader pilot under way and the spring semesters aroundthe corner, the question of how to utilize this technology is beingreviewed. Talk of sending these eReaders for strictly instructionpurposes, instead of communal group gear, could limit distraction aswell as possible excessive damage. The spring courses will be a continu-ing study of the pros and cons of eReader use in the backcountry aswe continue to develop our NOLS curriculum for our students in thewilderness classroom.

NOLS exploresNooks on coursesBY MEREDITH HARDWICK, NOLS MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

Do you take your eReader into the backcountry or in your back yard to enjoy a lightweight read or as a convenient resource? NOLS alumni can

download ePub versions of our student handbooks on www.Amazon.com or www.B&N.com. Let us know what you think! Send your thoughts to

@NOLSedu, NOLS on Facebook, or The Leader staff at [email protected].

Technology in the Field:

rting to eReaders on courses would save students a lot of

and space in their backpacks. Brad Christensen.


8/17

SpringLeaderTHE

ON MY NOLS COURSE IT WAS AMAZING TO GO SOMEWHERE MYancestors had been, and see our land with a new perspective, saidTefawnya Quiver, Fort Washakie High School (FWHS) junior andresident of the 3 million-acre Wind River Indian Reservation locatedjust outside of Lander, Wyo. NOLS began working with FWHS in 2007 to provide a uniqueexperiential education component for students and to strengthen andsupport NOLS connection to the reservation. The first seven-dayexpeditions increased cross-cultural training and experiential learn-ing opportunities for both NOLS faculty and Eastern Shoshone andNorthern Arapahoe tribal members alike. NOLS instructors, FWHSteachers, and tribal members collaborate to teach these courses, whichearn students three hours of academic credit. Shad Hamilton, FWHS principal who has been part of two NOLSFWHS courses, said the community collaboration makes this a power-ful program. FWHS off-site virtual teacher teacher Christine Stantonagrees, saying, For students, having community members and teachersin the field, in addition to NOLS instructors, helps bring academics,culture, and NOLS curriculum together in powerful ways. Matt Lloyd, a former NOLS instructor who helped develop theprogram reflected. This was, by far, my most rewarding project atNOLS, he reflected. Also, I think there are common values betweenNOLS and Native American cultures... namely, utmost respect for thenatural world. Such exchange of cultural insights occurs year after year. On a 2012course, one student taught her course how to perform a traditionaloffering when her course ate fish. From then on for every fish thecourse caught, the students gave thanks.

The Fort Washakie student group is great at experiencing theworld. These students were observed as methodical and ceremonial inthe way they interacted with the natural environment and interactedwith each other, said NOLS instructor Sandy Heath. FWHS science teacher James Williams has been on two FortWashakie NOLS expeditions and each time recognizes the change instudents behavior when they return to the frontcountry: When theycome back, I see changes in leadership, trust, and confidence. Thesestudents really depend on each other. The schools guidance counselor, Scott Polson, said the opportu-nity for these youth to experience their back yardsliterally their ownlandis one that has a lasting impact. It's a whole new high school/ summer school/ credit recoveryconcept, Hamilton added. In the last five years, most Ft. Washakie/ NOLS grads have gone on to college!"

Polson also noted this opportunity wouldnt be pos-sible without NOLS financial support. In addition tothe direct financial assistance NOLS provides to runthe Fort Washakie High School courses, NOLS alsooffers a scholarship for individual Fremont Countyresidents to take NOLS courses. Chancy Headley, a scholarship recipient who liveson the Wind River Indian Reservation, took the FortWashakie High School co urse in addition to going ona 30-day course in Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming atthe age of 14 and an Alaska Outdoor Educator courseat age 19. He has worked for the past few summers forthe U.S. Forest Service on a wilderness recreation crewand now has plans to take a NOLS Instructor Course. This partnership is critical for NOLS and the WindRiver Reservation, Headley said. The NOLS instruc-tors learned as much about Indian culture as we learnedfrom them about education and the outdoors.

BY BRIAN FABEL, NOLS ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGER

Fostering a communityReservation youth benefit from NOLS, Ft. Washakie partnership

Top: A course pauses for a photo shoot. Bottom left: Tribal leaders perform a drum ceremony at NOLS Rocky Mountain.

Bottom right: Students show off their diplomas. Shad Hamilton and Brad Christensen

INSPIRATION FLOWS BOTH WAYS

Christine Stanton, who taught on the first FWHS course,

wrote about the exchange of inspiration that occurs:

During the course, we experienced some powerful

phenomena that can only be explained within the context

of tribal history and understanding. For instructors who

work a NOLS/FWHS course, learning to view phenomena

through a cultural lens increases their overall pedagogi-

cal effectiveness. Those instructors who work more than

one NOLS/FWHS course find that view and effectiveness

expanding with each subsequent course.

My own interest in the power of such educator-level

learning about culture served as an impetus for me

professionallyIm now an assistant professor of

curriculum and instruction at Montana State University,

where I specialize in social justice education as connected

to Indigenous understandings of culture, history, and

learning. In many ways, the first NOLS/FWHS course is

responsible for where I am professionally today.


9/17


10/17

SpringLeaderTHE

hauling! I breathe, noticing a sharp turn midway down the steep,grassy slope. Sam is driving. Sam is driving, I repeat to myself andtry my best to follow and stay focused. We lean into the hard left andslingshot out of the turn. Down. I ease off the pedals for a split second and Sam shifts downa few gears. We are moving as one.

5 P.M. SEPT. 28, 2012We glance at the number scratched on a piece of paper and see that itmatches the house in front of us. Sam knocks on the door. It swingsopen and a smiling face weve only just met greets us like old friendsand sends us, and our long load, around back to the garage. Theenergy is nothing but kindness, joy, enthusiasm, and support. We un-load our gear, cold beer in hand, to the tune of a small dog sniffing ourankles and wagging his entire body. John, a racer from earlier in theday, shows Sam the basement and parts of his bike collection. I listento Sherrys stories of a few of the adventures sheand John have shared. A room, showers, laundry,food, Internet, anything we could possibly needis offered. We graciously accept the shower. Samand Sherry share the kitchen. A mix of garlic,greens, vinegar, tomatoes, sausage, and pasta fillsthe air. At the table laughter reigns over chewing.We all bask in the glow of making new friendsand in the special kindness that comes when reaching out to strangers.We are sad to leave their company the following morning but tr ustour paths will cross again, and chuckle knowing their kid-like spirits,stories, and generosity will stay with us.

3 P.M. OCT. 15, 2012: THE LAST DAY OF RIDINGI sit up tall. Trying to soak it all in. Trying to slow down the goldenleaves passing in a blur. We pause to fill water bottles, and I insist wescramble down for a quick swim, hoping to hold the inevitable at bay.This journey will end. I am simultaneously wrapped in the anticipa-tion of what is to come next and clinging to the simplicity, beauty,and love that is all around me. Stay present. The buzzing cars on thispaved section of road feel incongruous to the weeks of silent ridingon sleepy dirt roads that skirt around mountains or cut across theendless plains of the great basin.

Giant snow-covered peaks dominate the horizon, andimages of the last five weeks flood into my head. Thehot, barren, rolling plains of northwest Montana, thesting of smoke in my nostrils and the hope for water inone of the distant aspen groves, small oases breaking upan otherwise desolate landscape. A sea of rainbow leavesas far as the eye can see. A line of crystal clear lakes outof which rise more mountains. Elk bugling under a star-lit sky. Speckles of orange marking the opening of hunt-ing season. Flannel shirts and chainsaws acknowledgethe changing seasons. Exquisite pinks and oranges paintthe sky between the white and black of aspen trunks.Sun, rain, snow, mud, and swimming all in one day. The scream of our tires on the pavement brings meback, and I feel the sucking energy of the frontcountryworld. Lists of things to do boil to the surface of my

mind, all that needs to happento be ready for the next step. Ipush them down. Fighting tostay present. A hawk crosses ourpath and comes to rest in thetop of a nearby tree. Sam and I have pedaledalmost 1,600 miles, literally

together. We have woken up to countless sunrises,wrapped in o ne sl eeping bag, sharing a h ot drink aswe greet the d ay and eventually climb onto the samebike. We have yet to find a better venue or metaphorfor learning the art of being teammates in a commit-ted relationship. The tandem allows us to practice be-ing close when all we want to do is turn away. On therough, fast sections of road, trust is implicit. As captainand stoker we practice identifying and articulating ourneeds, the tandem providing direct feedback as to oursuccess. And as we diligently clean and tune the tan-dem, we are reminded of the need to create space fortune-ups within our relationship. The bike wont runwithout loving attent ion, and neither will we.

5:25 P.M. SEPT. 13, 2012The storage unit door clangs down into place and thelock clicks. We head toward the canyon, passing thebank clock flashing 5:33 pm. Its late, but we dontcare. Finally, we have all the necessary pieces (minus apot lid). Our two weeks of organizing and reorganizinggear, ordering and waiting for last-minute parts, andbike building has come to a close. The bike is complete,rolling well, and we are off! We have coined this five-week tour, sandwichedbetween NOLS contracts, our own personal NOLScourse. Pedaling away, we begin as students do, excited,but a little wobbly at first, uncertain of our systems,placing gear in different locations each day, and wonder-ing where it went. Packing the trailer and bike is likere-learning how to pack a backpack. We are admittedly ajunk show, the rig as unwieldy as a tower of power (i.e.a poorly packed backpack). We learn empathy. Despitediligently doing campsweeps we lose a few items. Wecall them gifts. We realize we are not infallible instruc-tors. We are human. But with practice comes progress.We learn from our experience, our mistakes and oursuccesses, and with the changing landscapes comes anew rhythm and a really good packing system.8:45 A.M. SEPT. 28, 2012We scramble to unhitch the trailer and strip the last bitof touring weight from our rig.

TEN MINUTES! The race directors words ringout across the fields. I breathe slowly and accept the fact that we wontsee the entire race course, before the gun goes off, aluxury we were afforded the previous evening at thefirst race of the weekend. Pedaling into town, findingthe park, reorganizing our gear, and prepping the biketook longer than anticipated. So, instead of riding the

course to establish lines and determine if the length of the tandemwill indeed make it through all of the turns, we share observationsand predictions about where the flags will lead us. Sam is driving.During the tour we rotate our positions on the bike every two days. Itis technically my turn up front, but I turned it down. Sam is a moreexperienced, stronger, and more confident captain. He understandsracing etiquette, having competed as a cyclist between the ages of8 and 22. My background is in long tours with heavy trailers, lessapplicable to racing. We circle back to the start line. Cyclocross racing is Sam and Katie at our best. We have a commongoal, riding fast, and we support one another to achieve it. We canthelp but be truly present as every ounce of our focus and teamworkis required to blaze around the course and over obstacles. As is such,we scheduled our tour to allow us to participate in a couple of events,providing an excuse to ride the tandem unloaded, testing what thebike could really do. A hand waves, and we are off. Chasing, breathing, flying. The coursestarts on pavement and we are fast, a freight train barreling down onthe cyclists ahead. I focus on my breathing and watch the center ofSams back, looking over his inside shoulder as we lean into our firstturn. Coast, leg up. Pedal. Coast. The smoother we are, the faster wego. We begin passing people and then come to a near standstill as Sammasterfully takes a sharp, zigzagging turn, designed for a single bike.We pedal out of it and into the next. Breathe. Two barriers lie ahead. Iwatch for Sams leg to unclip. In one motion we are off the bike, hold-ing it in our right hands, while we run and jump the hurdles. In stride,Sam steps on the pedal and swings his leg over the top tube. I continuerunning and pushing the bike. He is on. I get the OK, and give onelast push before launching myself onto the back of the bike, a shudderrunning through the frame. We are pedaling again, on spongy grass.No ground lost. My job is to provide power. I breathe and look at Sams back,demanding my legs to push harder, pull faster. The grass is dry, theroute straight, and we begin flying. Racers drop behind us and wesneak past one more before the track narrows. We drop over an edge

Friends joined Sam and Katie for a day as they made their way over Union Pass in Wyoming.

Left: An 8-degree morning greets the tandem at Mosquito Lake in the Wind River Range. Right: The two start off on an early morning near the Sun River in Montana.

DOWN. I EASE OFF THE PEDALSFOR SPLIT SECOND AND SAMSHIFTS DOWN A FEW GEARS.WE ARE MOVING AS ONE.


11/17

SpringLeaderTHE

mni Trips & Reunions

OMING NOLS ALUMNI EVENTSis coming to your community this spring! Were hosting

i reunions for grads, friends, families, and guests all

s the nation. Reunions include snacks, tales of adventure,

raffle, camaraderie, and networking. Look for events in

area this spring:

Chicago, Ill.

Salt Lake City, Utah

Durham, N.C.

Portland, Ore.

Seattle, Wash.

Boston, Mass.

Denver, Colo.

ore information, see www.nols.edu/reunions

ALUMNI TRIPSIf a month is too much to ask from the boss, the

NOLS Alumni office offers shorter backcountry

trips specifically designed for our working

grads. We encourage you to bring family and

friends along on these weeklong expeditions to

reconnect with the school and introduce others

to the NOLS experience. These trips have the

same top-quality instructors, and though they

arent 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.

Signing up: A $200 per person non-

refundable deposit is required for enrollment on

all alumni trips. For more information or to sign

up, call NOLS Alumni at (800) 332-4280 or visit

www.nols.edu/alumni.

WHITE WATER RAFTING IN UTAHS LODORE CANYONDates: July 69, 2013 | Cost: $900Get away for a great outdoor family vacation. Invite your parents, bring the kids, and enjoy some

quality time on one of the Wests most beautiful rivers. Enjoy beach camping, the rush of whitewater

and the calm of smores around the campfire.

This trip runs through the majestic Lodore Canyon of the Green River in Utahs Dinosaur National

Monument. On this exciting river trip, you will take part in moderate whitewater, unique river traditions,

and great camaraderie. Based out of the NOLS facility in Vernal, Utah, this trip builds on your NOLS

skills while introducing you to new experiences.

MOUNTAINEERING WYOMINGS GANNET PEAK (ALUMNI ONLY)Dates: July 22August 1, 2013 | Cost: $2,295Head deep into the heart of the Wind River Mountains and find yourself atop Wyomings highest peak!

This classic NOLS adventure includes a beautiful approach hike through the foothills of the range.

At the base of the peak, a team of horse packers will arrive with climbing gear and extra rations. This

means light packs for mountaineers on the approach!

Glacier travel technique, ice axe use, and technical rope work will keep you engaged and learning

as you cross the Dinwoody Glacier and work toward Gannetts 13,809 summit. As alumni, the

expedition is the perfect opportunity to put your NOLS travel and camping skills back to work and

take it to the next level!

FLY FISHING AND PHOTOGRAPHY WITH LLAMAS IN WYOMINGDates: July 28August 2, 2013 | Cost: $1,295Fishing, photography, and light packs make a great way to explore the Wind River Mountains with

family and friends! On this alumni trip, our furry companions will help share the load and add a slight

twist to the character of our group.

This journey travels through prime fishing and classic scenic regions of the Winds. Dabbling

in photography, refining your casting technique and relaxing with family and friends in a beautiful

wilderness environment is what this trip is all about.

ALUMNI SERVICE TRIP IN WYOMINGDates: August 1117, 2013 | Cos t: $595This trip takes NOLS grads, family, and friends into Wyomings Wind River Mountains for a week

of camaraderie, connection and service. We will partner up with the U.S. Forest Service and the

Student Conservation Association to conduct meaningful and challenging service projects that

protect public lands.

This year well focus on wetland mitigation projects in the Stough Creek Basin area of the southern

Winds. Construction and trail maintenance is the theme. Although service work is demanding, the

rewards are great. There will also be time for fishing, photography, and possibly a non-technical peak

ascent. Feel the satisfaction of giving back to the wilderness that gives to us by being a part of a great

service project in a beautiful place.

BradChristensen

R

The Gluten Free EdgeBy Peter Bronski and Melissa McLean Jory,

Medical Nutrition Therapist

Whether you are gluten sensitive or intolerant, or a recreational or

endurance athlete, co-authors Peter Bronski and NOLS graduate Melis

Jory argue that all athletes can benefit from the gluten free edge. Glute

found in grains such as wheat, barley, and spelt that helps dough stretch

it can be challenging for the body to digest, even when one doesnt have

to it. Americans are eating more gluten than everthrough fast food an

diets, along with wheat modified to have higher levels of gluten.

Through a mix of clearly stated research and evocative athlete storie

Free Edge makes a strong case for athletes to take on a gluten-free diet

nutrition and training guide sets out a plan of action to help athletes get

of a gluten-free diet, including a number of tasty recipes. In the NOLS te

the gluten-free chocolate beet muffins got an overwhelming thumbs up

spicy lime chips were also a big hit. Other recipes include high country

country muesli, and gluten-free pizza.

Backcountry travelers and marathoners alike will benefit from this th

entertaining guide to going gluten free and thriving through the transitio

Reviewed by Larkin Flora, Development Communications Coordinato

The Experiment.

Enlightened KayakingBy Brett Friedman

Seasoned student of kayaking and experienced

NOLS instructor Brett Friedman has reshaped an

influential blog into an iBook exclusive on Zen

approaches to the sport of kayaking.

Blog-like in its format, Enlightened Kayaking

is a user friendly and interactive guide on skill

development of basic to advanced kayaking. The

knowledge he offers is tied together by eclectic

life lessons. For Friedman, it is important to

approach the art of kayaking with a patient,

open minded, and relaxed attitudeall while

practicing awareness in development to have a

fluid experience.

Friedmans long association with NOLS is apparent in the structure and style of

these lessons in a well-developed and hands-on fashion. Lesson plans include

different techniques, scenarios, equipment reviews, and drills as well as envi-

ronmental awareness and safety that are necessary in pursuing a well-informed

personal voyage in the backcountry.

The chapters of this iBook are organized to build from a base skill lev

through interactive exercises, short videos, and descriptive sections that

emphasize the necessary drive for simplicity and balance. Largely influen

Eastern teachings, lessons from Buddhism, Zen Koans, and Tai Chi struc

learning process into a deeper connection with the experience of kayakin

For NOLS grads who have taken a kayaking course or are just interest

learning basic to advanced kayaking techniques, this is a must read. Eve

experienced kayakers, Friedmans iBook guide puts a fresh spin on the ap

to learning and experiencing the sport that he is so passionate about. Fo

alumni interested in Friedmans work but who have not made the leap to i

technology, the birthplace of Friedmans collective kayaking knowledge c

accessed on the blog site www.paddlingotaku.com where questions and

may be sent for complementary advice and valuable critiquing.

Reviewed by Meredith Hardwick, NOLS Marketing Represen tative. Cop

2012 by Brett J Friedman

The Promise of WildernessBy James Morton Turner

Wilderness is the heart and soul of most NOLS

courses. It is the gateway to inspiration, solitude, and challenge. In his book, The

Promise of Wilderness, James Morton Turner provides us with perhaps the most

in-depth look that has yet been written about the movement that preserved these

pristine landscapes, and the evolving, continuing relevance of that effort.

The Wilderness Act marked a turning point in American environmental politics

it was among the first of a new generation of environmental law of national scope that

put the government in the business of protecting the environment, writes Turner. He

begins by framing the passage of the Wilderness Act in the era of social change that

defined the 60s. He then describes the transformation of wilderness politics into a

local, volunteer-driven effort.

Turners careful analysis of the central characters and organizations in Wilder-

ness politics over the last five decades brings a fresh perspective to the continuity

of causes beginning with the 1964 passage of the Wilderness Act, through the

Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which protected 2 million acres of

new wilderness across the nation.

As a wilderness advocate who cut my teeth working for the Sierra Club almost 15

years ago, I gained a great deal of perspective through this scholarly work into an

world that I thought I understood well.

Reviewed by Aaron Bannon, Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability Director.

2012, by University of Washington Press.


12/17

LeaderTHE

IFYOUVEHADNOLS ADVENTURES INWYOMING, CHANCESARETHATYOUVEHADTHE

chance to learn fly-fishing. Not only that, if your NOLS mountain course was in the last10 years, youve been outfitted with some impressive Orvis brand fly rods. NOLS issues Orvis rods because students have success and fun casting on responsivegear. Novices in particular benefit from the control and feel of a decent graphite rod.Fly fishing is a life skill, so many students go on to fish around the world, sometimesincluding the Bahamas where angling for bonefish is a high art. I recently had the chance to test a high-end Orvis ZG Helios 8-weight saltwater rodin the Bahamas. The Helios was a beautynine feet of responsive graphite made infour pieces in the U.S. for easy travel. Its light tooperhaps 25 percent lighter thantraditional graphite. Teamed with an Orvis Mirage IV reel, it was very effective rig forstalking the wily bonefish. This fishing rod worked well casting to moving fish; it proved responsive and accuratein my hands. The action was fast, and I found I could put the fly anywhere I wanted.The Helios tip flex also minimized the effect of the wind compared to stiffer rods Idtested in the past. Finally, I was able to cast further with the ZG Helios than with myprevious rod. The balance between the rod and the reel felt great. In fact, I never noticedit. To me, not thinking about the balance during a whole fishing trip means it is perfect. Orvis has several models of freshwater and saltwater Helios rods to match your fishinggoals and style. This saltwater rod, with a 25-year guarantee, retails for $800. Despitethe cost, the Helios smooth, responsive action really makes a difference. My recentexperience bonefishing with the Orvis ZG Helix was exactly what I was looking for.

Z HELIOS BY ORVISANNE OBRIEN, PR AND PARTNERSHIPS MANAGER

ar Room

WHATS THE RECIPEFORBEING THE BEST?

Start by adding a dash of passion,

followed by some ambitionand extensive

knowledge. Next, add in years of perse-

veranceand confidence. Bring to a boil.

Lastly, top things off withconsistency

and let simmer. The finished product will

melt in your mouth.

When youre taken out of your comfort

zone, when your limits are tested, your

mind and body become capable of so

much more than you would have thought.

When students on NOLS courses

experience this, the end result is a more

competent leader, a better team player,

a person with stronger wilderness skills,

and an overall well-rounded individual.

This might explain why NOLS was recog-

nized as a Top-Rated Nonprofit for 2012 by

GreatNonprofits.org.

Great Nonprofits is the leading site

for reviews and ratings of nonprofits. Its

mission is to inspire and inform donors

and volunteers, enable nonprofits to

show their impact, and promote greater

feedback and transparency. With so many

outstanding reviews given by NOLS

grads, it isnt surprising the organization

was given the recognition. One former

student wrote, Of my 8 semestersduring my undergraduate college

career, the semester I spent at

NOLS was far and away the most

valuable. NOLS builds leaders

The CEO of Great Nonprofits said, They

deserve to be discovered by more donors

and volunteers who are looking for a great

nonprofit to support.

NOLS continues to stand by its mission-

to be the leading source and teacher of

wilderness skills and leadership that serve

people and the environment.

ght tools make an adventure a treat. Rich Brame

WILDERNESS EMERGENCMEDICAL TECHNICIAN

Intensive Wilderness Medicine Trainin

This month-long course int egrates an urban EMT course and a WildernessUpgrade for M

Professionals/Wilderness First Responder course.

The course includes classroom education, practical skills, scenarios, and full-scale m

in addition to clinical rotations helping to provide care for real patients.

Learning takes place both in the classroom and in outdoor settin gs regardless of weath

Come prepared for wet, muddy, cold, or hot environments.

Thinking of taking a WMI WEMT course this year?

Visit the Financial Aid information at: www.nols.edu/wmi/admissions/financial_aid.shtml

NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute

The Leader in Wilderness Medicine Education

www.nols.edu/wmi (866) 831-9001

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TAKE THE LEAD AS AN LNT MASTER EDUCATOR

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13/17

SpringLeaderTHE

GRADS FROM THE 80S

Christopher Nielsen,

Spring Semester in the

Rockies 89

Chris lives in Maine guiding

personal whitewater raft trips.

Brenda Rootham, Fall

Semester in the Rockies 80

Brenda is a kindergarten

teacher at the Ottawa-Carleton

School District Board in

Ontario. She remembers the

lessons and memories from

her NOLS course and advises

others to be true to themselves

and their dreams. Take a look

around; be thankful for all the

earth has to offer. To all of her

coursemates and instructors:

hello and she wishes you all

great happiness.

GRADS FROM THE 90S

Jonathan Dickinson,

Semester in the Pacific

Northwest 90

Jonathan works in the

environmental field because of

his NOLS experience. Initially

he worked supporting sailing

vessel-based education

programs. For the last decade

he has been an energy and

climate advisor to Mayor

Michael Bloomberg in New

York City. Jonathan is married

with two kids, ages 7 and 5.

He takes them camping often

and uses his NOLS skills each

time. He says his kids will be

ready for NOLS in another 13

years; he cant wait.

Kristen Wiig,Spring

Semester in Baja 93

Kristen, along with comics Ben

Stiller, Chris Rock, and Jerry

Seinfeld, appeared on the

Jan. 2, 2013 Vanity Fair cover.

Congrats, Kristen!

Anne Chilton Arbaugh,

Semester in Kenya 98

Anne offered pictures of her

Africa course to NOLS.

Anne and her husband own

and operate a restaurant in

Charleston, WV called South

Hills Market and Caf. They

also have a 3-year-old

daughter. Anne sends best

wishes to all NOLS future

students and graduates.

GRADS FROM THE 00S

Sarah Lancaster,Brooks

Range Expedition 02 &

WEMT 09

Sarah recently dominated

the Lander Maverick Karaoke

Finals, besting dozens of other

contestants during a 12-week

series of singing events.

Departing from her tried-and-

true Dixie Chicks catalog and

borrowing heavily from MC

Hammers signature dance

moves, Sarah clinched top

prize with a startling and soul-

ful mash-up of Def Leppards

Pour Some Sugar On Me

and Whitney Houstons I Will

Always Love You.

Nick Braun,Baja Coastal

Sailing 04 & NOLS Instructor

Nick recently transitioned

into a full-time position at

NOLS Headquarters as the

alumni program coordinator.

He will continue to work field

courses as well as planning

and executing the alumni

trips. If you are in Lander,

look him up.

David Cully,Wind River

Wilderness 07

David hiked the Pacific Crest

Trail last summer, starting

in Mexico on April 1 and

finishing in Manning Park, BC

in August. He graduates from

Colorado College next May.

Chloe Rossano,North

Cascades Mountaineering 08

& Denali Mountaineering 09

On Jan. 5, Chloe began

running the 817-mile Arizona

Trail run with friend Amelia

Mia Sky in an attempt to

finish it under 28 days. If they

complete it, this will be the

fastest womens record on the

trail. They are running for RAW

(Running Arizona for Women)

a womens advocacy club at

Prescott College.

GRADS FROM THE 10S

Todd Hanna,Pacific

Northwest Trip Leader 10

Todd helped start an organi-

zation called Explore Austin

and is currently on their

board of directors. His NOLS

experience played a crucial

role in the development of

the program, as did that of

their volunteers and mentors.

In addition to being a NOLS

grad, he is a vete

Marine Officer w

tours in Iraq) wh

first-hand the po

wilderness on re

In addition to NO

climbed the Gran

Mt. Moran in the

is scheduled to d

Traverse this su

Michael Froeh

for Outdoor Educ

Since his course

finished college,

professionally, an

leader in the com

and Zach Wigham

have developed a

initiatives at Unit

feels without his

ence, they would

the skills and dri

such initiatives.

Jabbe

ACKCOUNTRY COFFEESEY DEAN, PR SPECIALIST AND WRITER

cipe Box

Contact the Alumni Office via telephone (800-332-4280) or email ([email protected]) to find contact

information for any of your course mates.

COFFEEIS, FORMANY, THEONLYWAYTOSTARTTHEDAY. ITS

not just the caffeine; its the aroma, the ritual as you becomemore alert to the day, its holding warmth in your hands ascamp starts to stir and the sun rises over the mountains. Perhaps because it is so entrenched in each days begin-ning, it is also deeply personal. Global advice dictates thatyou not discuss religion or politics if youre not prepared for

Nick Braun, the new NOLS alumni program coordinator, caupound yellowtail tuna on a handline, and it almost pulled him

THE WYOMING RANGE LEGACY ACT IS:

This legislation established in 2009 essentially does two

things: 1) It prevents any new oil and gas leasing in the Wyo-

ming Range, 2) Although any existing leases are not affected,

if an existing lease expires or is retired, that area then becomes

off limits to re-leasing.

The Trust for Public Land, in collaboration with a coalition

of environmental organizations, concerned citizens, and more

than 1,000 donors, completed a transaction to purchase oil

and gas leases on 58,000 acres of land in Wyomings Hoback

Basin this winter. The acquisition means that affected land

inside the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Grand Teton

National Park will be forever saved from oil and gas drilling

and preserved for hunting, fishing, and recreation.

Approximately 85 percent of the acquired leases fall within

the boundaries of the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, which

allows bought-out leases to be retired permanently, instead of

being re-sold to other oil and gas companies.

WILDERNESS QUIZ

BULKY

PICK A BREWING

METHOD

LIGHT WEIGHT

MID WEIGHT

SINGLE SERVE

COWBOY COFFEE

Boil, add coffee, wait five minutes. Cost: Free (have pot for water already)

INSTANT COFFEE

Boil, add packet. Cost: $0.75 per serving

CONE

Boil, slowly pour water over grounds. Cost: $17

FRENCH PRESS

Boil, pour water over grounds, wait five minutes, press. Cost: $15-50

AEROPRESS

Boil, pour water over grounds, press. Cost: $25

BIALETTI

Add water and grounds, assemble Bialetti, boil. Cost: $30-50

SOCK

Boil, slowly pour water over grounds. Cost: $3

SERVES 1+

WHATS BEST FOR YOU?We know we couldnt possibly encapsulate all that one must consider in preparing the perfect pot, so

were inviting you to join the conversation. Send us your thoughts. What did we overlook? Where did

we misguide our audience? Whats your tip that pushes your coffee over the edge to sublime? Put your

thoughts into video form, because were ready to send a free AeroPress to the best video response we

receive, and the next five will receive a free bag of coffee for your next adventure.

INTRIGUED?Watch our backcountry chefs brew a few cups by scanning this QR code

or visiting www.nols.tv and searching Cooking Show.

an argument; coffee falls within that list as well. Never the type to shy from a debate, we jumped right into thetopic of the perfect cup of camp Joe in the most recent NOLS Cook-ing Show. Watch the clip at www.NOLS.tv to get an overview of anumber of methods for preparing coffee in the backcountry, which

we boiled down in this chart.


14/17

SpringLeaderTHE

dith Hardwick,WindMountaineering 12

our months interning

NOLS Alumni depart-

Meredith is transitioning

ll-time position in the

ls marketing depart-

Shes excited to broaden

OLS work experience,

NOLS connections with

ective students, and base

autiful Lander, Wyo.

Fisher,Fall Semester in

acific Northwest 11

ecently joined the NOLS

onmental Sustainability

wardship department at

Headquarters. Before

Jack spent six weeks in

New Mexico, doing a

s-on construction

ship at Earthship

cture. He plans to finish

s undergraduate career

orado University in

er studying geographi-

formation systems and

nmental design.

t Wallen,Spring

ster in the Rockies &

12

just launched as a NOLS

ting intern at NOLS

quarters. Watch for his

on social networks, press

ses, and events near you.

RIAGES,

AGEMENTS

NIVERSARIES

n Andrew Holub,Fall

ster in Patagonia 97&

ine Anne Bourke

married on Sept 29, 2012

Eugene, Ore. They had a

wedding, which a couple

NOLS alumni attended.

honeymoon was a month-

sland-hopping journey in

aribbean. They reside in

e, Ore.

Bob Emery,Spring Semesterin Patagonia 06&Whitney

BatlinRock Climbing 05

NOLS instructors Bob and

Whitney were married Sept.

8, 2012 on Lower Saranac

Lake in New Yorks Adirondack

Mountains.

NEW ADDITIONS

Scott Clark,

Rock Climbing 97

Scott and his wife are excited to

introduce Eloise (Ellie) Jane.

Jared Scott,Baja CoastalSailing 06& Annie Clausen

Scott, NOLS instructor

On Nov. 29, 2012, Wyatt

Thomas Scott was born to

Annie and Jared. Wyatt was 7

pounds, 9.5 oounces at birth.

He has red hair and blue eyes.

Mother and son are doing well.

IN REMEMBRANCE

Patrick Mumme,Waddington

Range Mountaineering 05 &

NOLS Instructor

Patrick Christopher Mumme

passed away at St. Patricks

Hospital in Missoula on Dec.

9, 2012 from injuries sustained

in an automobile accident; he

was surrounded and held by

family and friends. Patrick was

a well-respected and well-loved

longtime NOLS instructor.

Lawson Hayes,Fall Semester

in Patagonia 97

Lawson Hayes III, beloved son

of Jean and Lawson Boo

Hayes, Jr., died Friday, Jan.

11. Lawson was a graduate of

Christ School in Arden, N.C.

and the College of Charleston.

He also graduated from NOLS

in Chile, South America. Law-

sons special interests were his

family, cooking, and all outdoor

activities with companion

Husky, Niko.

bberwocky

In 2008 NOLS set some ambitious greenhouse gas reduction goals, building upon sustain-

ability goals first set forth in the NOLS Strategic Plan. We reached our first goal a year early by

reducing our carbon emissions by 10 percent in 2009. The next goal, a 30-percent reduction by

2020, is lofty (and more exciting!). Our initial 10-percent reduction was easily achieved through

low-hanging fruit, but our 2020 goal is of a magnitude that requires a more comprehensive

and systematic approach. Team 2020 was created to help guide the school in pursuit of this

goal in a manner that serves the NOLS mission and engages our community.

Team 2020 turned one year old this past December and already has a number of significant

initiatives to celebrate. Perhaps the most impressive is our Facility Efficiency Initiative, which

seeks to bring all NOLS-owned facilities to a high energy efficiency standard. NOLS facilities

around the globe are completing these audits to ensure each building is thoroughly weather-

proofed, and to catalog any projects that will improve efficiency such as installing low-energy

light fixtures, replacing old appliances with Energy Star alternatives, and choosing low-flow

fixtures. This is just a small sampling of the low cost options that will increase building comfort

and decrease energy costs.

Smaller sustainability projects continue to move forward as well, and Team 2020 keeps

an eye on all these moving pieces to ensure that NOLS sustainability stays on track. Nearly

halfway to our 2020 goal, we are on track to achieve our 30 percent reduction, but Team 2020

still has some significant work ahead, including tackling transportation (responsible for over 35

percent of our carbon footprint).

BUILDING EFFICIENCY TIP:

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that lighting comprises 35 percent of office

building electricity use. Try turning off the overheads and use natural lighting during the

brighter hours of the day.

Sustainability

BradChristensen

WILDERNESS MEDICINE QUIZ

d. Washing hands. Our hands are a powerful vector to distribute pathogens, and hand washing

our most powerful tool to prevent transmission.

Branc

Remember the moment you first set foot in a NOLS building, wherever in the world it was? All novel and unfamiliar in the first days, it was comfortable

and familiar by the time you were de-issuing and celebrating your course. Well, its business as usual at NOLS locations around the world; stay up to date

on the activities here or on the NOLS Blog at www.nols.edu/blog.

NOLS YUKON:

Summe r 2012 saw many familiar faces around

NOLS Yukon, with 81percent of our 26in-town and field staff being veterans of some

kind. So far it looks like 2013 will also bring

lots of familiar facesproving we all just

cant get enough of the Yukon!

We also welcomed amazing new staff and

students from sixdifferent countries aroundthe world: Japan, Australia, New Zealand,

USA, Switzerland, as well as Canada.

We are busy working to have our say in

how the Yukon government will manage

and protect the Peel Watershed, an area of

67,000square kilometers (approx the size of

West Virginia or New Brunswick) of potential

wilderness classroom.

NOLS NEW ZEALAND

NOLS New Zealand just celebrated its 10th

anniversary!

One-thirdof New Zealands population lives

in Auckland, the largest city on the north

island. Anotherthirdlives elsewhere on the

north island. Thethird thirdlives on thesouth island. NOLS New Zealand operates

only on the south island.

Spring semest ers in New Zealand finish

with a 10-daysailing section. Students and

instructors live, travel, and learn onboard a

chartered keelboat and are self-sufficient. We

sail aboard twoChieftains, 38-footfull keel,

sloop-rig vessels.

NOLS AUSTRALIA

There is exactly onesealed road through the

western Australia Kimberley region, an area

the size of the state of California.

Only threetowns in the Western Australia

Kimberly can boast a population over 2,000:

Broome (14,500), Kununurra (6,500) and

Derby (4,500); the rest of the populationtotaling 38,000live on cattle ranches, Ab-

original communities, and mining camps.

Las t year NOLS Australia had more than

3200student days in the field.

NOLS SOUTHWEST

Semester on the Borders takes students

across America, starting at NOLS Southwest

then traveling1,583 miles to NOLS Pacific

Northwest.

Joshu a Tree Park has over 400climbing for-

mations and 8,000climbing routes. It is also

home to 18different lizards, 25varieties of

snakes, and the desert tortoise, which travels

at an average speed of 0.2miles per hour!

NOLS South west worked hard this past fall for

courses to avoid the 412-square-mile Gila firethat was burning on their operating grounds.

NOLS TETON VALLEY

NOL S Teton Valley purchased a 10-acre parcel

of land adjacent to our land in the fourth

quarter of 2012. The new parcel also serves

for staff housing, mass quantities of raspberry

production, and affirming our commitment to

the Teton Valley.

Our br anch participated in the Teton County

4-H livestock auction once again this year. A

wonderful specimen of pork, formerly named

Oinkers,now graces our kitchen freezer. This

237-pound wonder was raised by 10-year old

Amy Moulton. Thanks Amy!

NOLS INDIA

The Himalaya Backpa cking course from the

fall of 2012was the first catalog course to

source 100percent of rations from India!

A typica l NOLS hiking course in India cumu-

latively climbs more than the height of Mount

Everest (29,035feet)

Ther e is a speaking capacit y of eight lan-guages within the in-town staff of NOLS India:

Hindi, English, Kannada, Telugu, Manipuri,

Kumaoni, Marathi, and Konkani.

NOLS ROCKY MOUNTAIN

As part of the home stay section, students

from each of the first twoTanzanian Semes-

ters have constructed a building for a primary

school outside the town of Karatu, Tanzania.

Semester students live with student families

and often walk to school with them in the

morning.

During the last semest er, James (KG)

Kagambi passed Marco Johnson as the

NOLS instructor with the most weeks in the

field of all time. He now has 633field weeks,

which translates to: 12years or 4,431days of camping, 7,500pounds of NOLS

field rations, (none of which was cheese),

at least 185 courses, over 2,400students,

countless stories, and a sharing of love for

the mountains for young people around the

globe. He is truly an internationalist and a

treasure.

Top: Children celebrate their new school. Bottom: Studentnear Karatu, Tanzania. Gary Cukjati


15/17

Spring

CAMPAIGN NOLS

Endowing Our Core Values www.nols.edu/donate

ENDOWMENT ANNUAL FUND

SavingsAccount

NeedstoIncreas

e

withtheGrowth

oftheSchool CheckingAccount

EveryYear

ExpensesNot Coveredby Student

Tuition

FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE

ImmediateNeeds

Long-term

Investment

BUFFER

Lasting Security Short

Term

ACCESSIBLE

Small GiftsMaking Large

ImpactsStabilityDuring

Times ofRecession

REOCCURRING

AvailabletoUse

Whats the difference?Think of NOLS as a large investment, like buying a house. You have to make payments

on your mortgage, but you also need to pay to keep the lights on. In the world of NOLS

fundraising, the endowment is like the long-term investment of mortgage payments, while

the annual fundis like the immediate need to pay the utility bills.

ENDOWMENT & ANNUAL FUND

GIVE NOW

B

When I tell people that I went on a month-long backpack-ing trip, I get confused and strange facial expressions inresponse.What do you mean? they ask.No shower, like at all?What about TV?Not even a bath, I respond. The questions keep pour-ing, ending with a statement like, That must have beenhorrible. Looking back on my NOLS course, there werehard days, filthiness, and no Saturday Night Live. Despitethe lack of all those superfluous things, my NOLS coursegave me something I cannot explain to others who havenever experienced it. My instructors warned me about this:no matter how funny, touching, or life changing a momentwas on my trip, it might fall on deaf ears when recountingit. But here I go again, attempting to explain how momen-tous those 30 days were for me (written on my course): Back where we came from, you can see The Big HornMountains, craggy pillars of rock garlanded in snow. Wecame over those mountains, encountering problems in asmuch abundance as rocks, but we conquered everything

WHERE WE COME FROMBY LJ DAWSON, WYOMING BACKPACKING ADVENTURE FOR 14- A ND 15-YEAR-OLDS

in our path. No matter how tired we felt, how homesick, how hungry,or how heavy our packs weighed, we pushed on. If those mountainshave taught me anything, they taught me determination. When mydetermination failed, and I wanted to quit, one of my friends alwaysreminded me that Icould keep going, be-cause they were, too.

We have summit-ted mountains to-gether, forded creeks,straddled trees, cried,swum in freezing

waters, eaten, slept, hiked, and most importantly laughed together.Those memories of hardship and merriment are imprinted upon mymind and will outlive the scars and calluses from this trip. We haveour differences, but the most important thing is that we have foundour similarities.

We spent 30 days of what many people would call hell together, butthere was beauty amongst the hellishness. The red sunset at EmeraldLake, seeing elk and moose, the view from Cloud Peak, backpack wars(its a long story), catching fish, stories told around campfires, fresh

THOSE MEMORIES OF HARDSHIP ANDMERRIMENT ARE IMPRINTED UPON MYMIND AND WILL OUTLIVE THE SCARSAND CALLUSES FROM THIS TRIP.

This and next page: LJ and her course have numerous photos to reflect on where they came from. LJ Lawson


16/17

SpringLeaderTHE

LeaderTHE

ay Off

swimming holes, and warm days withoutquitoes. We experienced beauty in its raw-form: nature. We learned determination,everance, confidence, independence, anduered many of our fears. Although none ofe jumping to leave civilization for a month

n, I value fresh fruit, beds, showers, and lifehe civilized world more than I ever beforeI hope we all take this appreciation backus when wen home.hat weed on this

reacheser thanly know-how to kille than onequito withswipe or how to make one pair of clothesa month, and its even more pertinent thansurvival skills we learned. We grew insidewill come back to the world as better and

nger people. All that hardship and learningetween those rocky spires and the clear bluentain sky. In front of us lay the flat rollingof civilization. We will be submerged in thelwind of society when we return, but let us

forget what these mountains taught us.fter climbing 18,000 feet on this trip, theupward steps left to conquer are those onto

the bus. New problems will keep hitting us,and they will not be as simple as how to getup a mountain or stay warm on a cold night.

When these problems strike, the strength thatthese 30 days have given us will keep us on ourfeet. After we walked on our feet for over 100miles, nothing can knock us down. The mountain sky behind us is clear blue, aslife has been simple for the past 30 days. But

a haze coversthe sky ahead,

just as life willnot be as crys-tal clear when

we return.Though thistrip has beenscattered withhardship, I

could not be more grateful for the strength andfriendship it has given me. If not to just be ableto finally say: look where we came from. Back in high school, I find myself returning to thosememories on a daily basis, reminding myself of all the

lessons I learned. Sometimes, I wish I could be back on

my NOLS course living in the simplicity and freedom

that only nature can grant. At other times, when faced

with a daunting problem, I remind myself that if I made

it through all the trials and tribulations of that trip I can

make it through absolutely anything with a smile.

ALTHOUGH NONE OF US ARE JUMPING TO LEAVECIVILIZATION FOR A MONTH AGAIN, I VALUE FRESHFRUIT, BEDS, SHOWERS, AND LIFE IN THE CIVILIZEDWORLD MORE THAN I EVER BEFORE DID. I HOPE WEALL TAKE THIS APPRECIATION BACK WITH US WHENWE RETURN HOME.

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Wed love to hear from you!

Send letters, cartoons, rants, limericks, or watercolors our way, and well get them on the pages of The Leader. Were easy to con-

tacttry Facebook, Twitter @NOLSedu, email ([email protected]) or the phone at (800) 710-NOLS.

GUT COURSE

TROUTBY JUDITH THURMAN, 1984 WIND RIVER WILDERNESS FOR 23 AND OVER [THIS ARTICLE WAS FIRST PRINTED IN THE DEC. 3, 2012 ISSUE OF THE NEW YORKER.]

Thirty years ago, I took a two-week wilderness course foradults offered by the National Outdoor Leadership School,in Lander, Wyo. My 15 fellow adventurers were Americansof diverse persuasions intent on testing their mettle in themountain fastness. Two devout nurses from New Jersey wereseeking an experience of transcendence; a gay actor was prov-ing his courage; a Texas couple who owned a summer camp

were doing research. There was an adman tired of celebritytantrums, and a corporate lawyer nostalgic for his ideals. Myown impetus was divorce. We set out from a trailhead in the Wind River Range, at10,000 feet, to hike, rappel, orienteer, and master the Tyroleantraversefording a river upside down, hand over hand, anklescrossed (sloth position) on a rope bridge. Most of the time, we

were a three-day trek from the nearest phone. Each of us carrieda backpack with 65 pounds of personal and communal gear. (Ihad one of three camp stoves.) A horse, wrangled by a tobac-co-chewing beauty, one of our instructors, hauled the bulkiersupplies. There were enough staplesgrains, rice, b

Spring 2013 Leader

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