NOLS Blog
Instructor Spotlight: Caeden Greene
A NOLS experience can truly be a transformative experience for a young person’s life, and that was certainly the case for field instructor Caeden Greene. In high school, Caeden embarked on a 30-day Waddington Range Mountaineering Expedition (WAD), long known as one of NOLS’ most rigorous courses. The WAD expedition had such a profound effect…
Case Study: Jellyfish Sting in Paradise
Photo by Molly Hagbrand The setting You and your friend are enjoying some early morning sunshine and perfect ...
Through the Diamond Heart of Brazil: Our Next Alumni Adventure!
Lush valleys, waterfalls, ancient ruins, and diamonds can all be found in Brazil’s Chapada Diamantina National Park, the ...
Kickstart your Summer: A NOLS-Inspired Guide to Outdoor Adventure
Summer is a season of possibility—new places to explore, skills to sharpen, and friendships to deepen. At NOLS, we believe that thoughtful preparation, intentional choices, and community connection lay the foundation for safe, rewarding, and meaningful adventures. Whether you’re planning a long expedition or a weekend hike, here are key ideas to guide your summer…
Rothberg-Birdwhistell Exploration Fund: Expedition Isla Wager y Mas
With dreams of personal adventures in Patagonian Chile, Dave Watson asked Nacho Aguilera and me to join him paddling in the archipelago south of the Golfo De Penas. Almost a year before we put our paddles in the water, we started talking and planning. Tasks were delegated to be ready to begin our expedition in…
NOLS 1965 • 2025 • 2085
NOLS winter camping in the 1970s. It was December 1973, in the midst of a two-week winter course somewhere in the Winds. With our 70+-pound packs, we used seal skins on our wooden Army-issue skis to ascend a steep ridge. The day was clear and very cold. The snow was almost to our knees, as…
How to Make Deluxe Mac and Cheese (and Fried Macs too!) in the Backcountry
Photo by Jordan Cranch Cheesy pasta is a staple for any expedition. This recipe for macaroni and cheese, made deluxe by the addition of butter and dried veggies, is hot and delicious and transitions well from the backcountry to your kitchen at home. Be sure to check out the recipe for NOLS Famous Fried Macs!…
Navigating the Path: the U.S. NOLS Instructor in Training Program
2024 US Instructor In Training Cohort at the start of their instructor course: top, left to right, NOLS field instructor Jerick Lee, NOLS field instructor Elsie Freland, Matt Medina, Dane Gare, Amber Davis, and bottom left to right, Alison Sikowitz, Vicky Albores, Yessi Aguilar, and Jianna Kaufman The U.S. NOLS Instructor-in-Training (IIT) Program is a…
Rothberg-Birdwhistell Exploration Fund: Mountaineering in Rwenzori Mountains
This 15-day expedition began with an interest to take on a challenge we had not encountered before. One day, after working a contract in East Africa, James “KG” Kagambi, Evan Kuria, and I began discussing enhancing our outdoor skills. Evan suggested we explore the Rwenzori Mountains, the nearest mountains with easy access to a glacier.…
9 Wilderness Medicine Jobs You Can Get With A Wilderness Medicine Certification
Check out the top 9 wilderness medicine jobs you can score with a wilderness medicine certification.
Enhancing Student Experience and Inclusion through Risk Management
Cal Poly recreation and adventure education staff talk about how risk management adds perspective and growth for their students and programs.
Transform Your Backcountry Cooking with the New NOLS Cookery
To help students learn about backcountry cooking, we started collecting recipes and published the first cookery in 1974. The 7th edition comes out this year.
A Letter to My Future Self
Carolyn shares the letter she wrote to herself on a one-night solo near the end of her Semester in New Zealand.
Embracing Acceptable Risk in the Non-Traditional Classroom: Marin Academy & the WRMC
NOLS caught up with Marin Academy Director of Outings Julie Barnes to find out why she values risk taking, risk management, and wilderness-based education.
Q&A with a NOLS Parent
Parent Shelli Johnson writes about what it was like for her son to go on a 30-day NOLS course
Quiz: Winter Injury and Illness
Do you know how to help with first aid for winter injuries and illnesses?
Black Wolf Expedition: First Descent Packrafting in the Canadian North
An instructor team heads to North America's largest wilderness to explore new rivers and mountains by packraft.
Camping Recipe: Biscuits [Video]
You know you've found the perfect adventure partner when you wake up to the smell of biscuits baking in the morning. Grow your cooking skills with this delicious biscuit recipe.
Kids on Outdoor Trips: First Aid Recommendations
Knowing how to identify and manage pediatric medical issues can help your family have a fun adventure in the backcountry.
The Poetry of Experience
Looking back with a critical eye, I can see the poetry of the experience I had in Alaska. Dramatic, refreshing, limit-pushing poetry.
Responding to Hurricane Harvey with Wilderness First Aid Skills
We found ourselves in a boat pulling away from the only dry land we could see. It looked like a normal city neighborhood had been built in the middle of a lake—all due to Hurricane Harvey
