NOLS Alumni Magazine - The Leader - Fall 2023 - 2024
THE LEADER
Dear NOLS Community, Fall is my favorite time of the year. There is still a lingering warmth of summer days blended with crisp evening air, gently reminding us that the change of seasons is just around the corner. It’s also the time when our busiest season has wound down. Across North America, our teams finished sending their last boreal summer courses into the field, and our attention turned to semester students who arrived in the early fall.
This past summer season was exceptional for our school. We served more students in these past months than we have in each of the past two summer seasons. In early August, I had the pleasure of meeting students at our Northwest and Palmer, Alaska campuses. Hearing their stories and experiences was the highlight of my summer.
One particularly memorable moment was spending time with a group of students from C5-LA, one of our partner organizations. C5, whose mission is “to change the odds for high-potential teens from under-resourced communities by inspiring them to pursue personal success while preparing them for leadership roles in school, college, work, and their communities,” sends students from Los Angeles, New England, Texas, and Georgia to our programs. I met these eager learners in the Pacific Northwest. Their smiles, enthusiasm, and inquisitive minds were truly inspiring. “When I get here and smell the air and look up into the trees and the sky, I just relax immediately,” one student shared. “There’s something magical about this place.” And we couldn’t agree more—there’s something magical happening at our school.
In early October, we unveiled our new strategic plan and welcomed NOLS staff, faculty, and friends from all over the world to Lander, Wyoming, for our State of the School meeting. As we move forward, we are also thrilled to welcome our new Vice President of Expeditions, Rich Majerus, and our new Vice President of Advancement, Alli Lambert, to our senior leadership team. Both Rich and Alli bring a wealth of expertise and experience in higher education that will be invaluable to our continued growth and success. Their deep understanding of educational leadership, combined with their strategic vision, will add significant value to our senior leadership team. Their insights will be crucial in guiding and supporting all our efforts, including implementing our new strategic plan. Their presence truly rounds out a dynamic group of leaders poised to drive NOLS toward an exciting and impactful future.
As we look ahead, with fall semesters at capacity (or another stat to bring this to current time) and our Wilderness Medicine program running at full capacity, we are excited for what’s to come. We can’t wait to see you at NOLS alumni events popping up in cities around the country. Until then, enjoy the fall season, and thank you for being a part of this extraordinary community.
In Service,
THE LEADER
Fall 2024 • Volume 39
EDITOR
Anne McGowan
DESIGNER
Sarah O’Leary
EDITORIAL BOARD
Kelli Lusk, Cari Karns, Lindsay Turner
NOLS PRESIDENT
Sandy Colhoun
The Leader is a magazine for alumni of NOLS, a nonprofit global school focusing on wilderness skills, leadership, and environmental ethics. It is distributed to NOLS alumni. NOLS graduates receive a free subscription to The Leader for life.
The Leader welcomes article submissions and comments. Please address all correspondence to leader@ nols.edu or call 1-307-3328800. Alumni can direct email changes to alumni@nols.edu or 1-800-332-4280.
For the most up-to-date information on NOLS, visit www.nols.edu or email info@nols.edu
The Leader is available online at www.nols.edu/leader
Alumni in Action | Drascombe Boat Sails on in 10 Memory of Beloved and Adventurous Woman
| Shana Tarter: Sworn in as Wilderness 11 Medical Society’s Newest President
EXPOSE
EDUCATE
Letter to the Editor
Dear NOLS,
My name is Isabel. I will be the first in my family to pursue a college-level education.
I originally joined STEP to follow my goal of attending college out of state. I also needed assistance in finding information on college since none of my family members had the opportunity to obtain college education. With help from STEP, I hope to get a college degree in law.
I was offered the role to participate in the NOLS Alaska expedition due to my willingness to step out of my comfort zone. I wanted to have the ability to be confident in myself when faced with challenging tasks.
The Alaska expedition allowed me to understand I am capable of change and growth. I have been told all my life there are certain things I would never be able to do on my own. This was caused by my constant stress and fear of every new opportunity I was presented with. The Alaska expedition was the first time I was given a chance to fully step out of the state of fear I was stuck in all my life.
In my first week of the expedition, I was shown how to tie knots for tents, kayak in the open sea, prepare a stove to cook on, and travel the ocean while navigating the way. I am still looking back on the views of giant mountains with constantly changing skies and the glass look of the blue glaciers that not many get to see in their lifetime.
I thought I would not be able to learn any of the skills I was taught in the first week, however I did not remain the same person I was. Instead, a new version of myself was created that is constantly getting better at any challenge thrown my way.
This expedition allowed me to truly start living life. I don’t have to hide behind everyone and everything anymore because my experience showed me that I have beaten so many challenges that I am ready for more in my life. I will go out of state for college but now I know I am ready for it. I want to do so much in the world because I know I can focus on my goals without worrying about failing.
I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for making a life changing opportunity like this possible for me. I want you to know you really made a difference for me. I know I am capable of growing and developing as a person. That would not have been possible without the amount you put in for me to be here. Thank you for everything. I will use it for the rest of my life.
Sincerely grateful,
Isabel S.
For more information about NOLS and STEP, see the story on page 12.
FEATURED LOCATION
NOLS East Africa
By Annemarie Vocca NOLS Custom Education Associate Director
Workingfor NOLS over the past 18 years, I have been fortunate to explore breathtaking places and work with inspiring people.
Beginning in 2010, I spent portions of eight winters in Kenya and Tanzania, visiting NOLS East Africa’s Campus Director, Lydia Muthoni Muriithi. While the campus was my home base, I explored both countries equally. I swam in the Indian Ocean, went on game drives, consumed countless chai and chapatis, practiced my Kiswahili, spent quality time with one of my best friends, and fell in love with East Africa.
internationally is to embrace cultural differences and approach them with an open mind. Avoid assumptions or passing judgment based on our cultural norms. Learn greeting rituals, ask permission to take photographs, respect diverse religious practices, and dress modestly. Understanding local customs and culture allows us to represent ourselves appropriately. Above all, be curious.
Throughout my time in Kenya and Tanzania, I always felt safe. I always felt welcomed. From that first step onto the airport tarmac, I felt a comfort that I still can not explain succinctly.
The combination of its natural wonders, cultural richness, and warm hospitality makes East Africa an extraordinary destination for NOLS students. Nowhere else can you hike through Maasai grazing lands on the lookout for Cape buffalo, elephants, and lions. Zebras are more frequent than deer in New Jersey, and after a while, I almost took their presence for granted. I learned to love falling asleep to the sound of hyenas, and I will never forget the sight of galloping giraffes across the hot savannah.
Unlike NOLS courses in the United States, international courses provide a unique cultural component, an intimate relationship with the land and the people who call it home. Every NOLS East Africa course includes opportunities for intercultural exchange, whether walking alongside Masaai warriors, visiting Mangati, Datoga, Hadza, and Watindiga tribes, or living in a homestay working on a service project for a local school.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while living and traveling
Throughout my time in Kenya and Tanzania, I always felt safe and welcomed. From that first step onto the airport tarmac, I felt a comfort that I still cannot explain succinctly. I lived in villages, rode on packed Matatus, shopped at local markets, climbed Mount Kenya, traveled solo, traveled with friends, and was enthralled by the people and places around me. It was an influential time, and I will forever be grateful to Muthoni for welcoming me into her home, family, and country.
Will Wamaru
Annemarie is a dog lover whose tenure with NOLS has led her to live in diverse locations such as Tanzania, India, and the Pacific Northwest.
Annemarie Vocca and Muthoni Muriithi. Courtesy of Annemarie Vocca
ALUM PROFILE
Sarah Hiza
By Lindsay Turner Instructor and Annual Giving Director
Fromsummiting Mount Kilimanjaro to mastering wilderness first aid, Sarah Hiza’s journey with NOLS is nothing short of extraordinary. It all began in 2010 when she took a Scandinavian Backpacking Adult course – a transformative experience that has shaped both her personal and professional life.
Sarah, a leader in the defense industry for nearly 20 years, was introduced to NOLS by NASA Astronaut Kent Rominger, a colleague and mentor who had completed a NOLS Backpacking Expedition. Drawn to the challenge, she chose the Scandinavia course because it offered an international aspect different from anything she had previously experienced.
Since that initial expedition, Sarah has completed two NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses and five Alumni Trips, each enriching her appreciation for exploring wild places. With her NOLS logo sticker prominently displayed on her desk, visible during her Zoom calls, Sarah’s commitment to NOLS is unwavering. As a NOLS Trustee, she dedicates her time and resources to support the organization’s mission, values, and community. “I feel most at home when I’m with the NOLS community, both the ones I already know and the ones I haven’t met yet,” she shares. Her sense of belonging and dedication to NOLS is palpable, inspiring others to stay engaged and give back.
Professionally, Sarah’s NOLS experiences have profoundly shaped her approach to leadership. As vice president of Engineering and Technology for Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, she leads a team of more
“I feel most at home when I’m with the NOLS community, both the ones I already know and the ones I haven’t met yet.”
than 14,000 engineers and scientists across 16 countries. Her work focuses on delivering critical solutions for our nation and allies to advance deterrence and national security capabilities. She attributes her perseverance, adaptability, and pushing through when things don’t go as planned to her lessons learned at NOLS.
One of the most significant lessons Sarah learned is the importance of empathy when leading a team. “I learned at NOLS there is a level of tenderness we extend to our teammates, and that has directly translated to my leadership style. When people are struggling or in the middle of a setback, you want to help, and I think we learn to do that naturally at NOLS.”
Teamwork is a critical component that Sarah brings from NOLS to her work at Lockheed Martin. “NOLS teaches the importance of the team, which completely translates to my work. The complexities of the systems we build cannot be managed without collaboration. It takes all of us working together to achieve our goals.”
Sarah is passionate about cultivating an inclusive work environment, valuing diverse perspectives, and encouraging the next generation of leaders to consider the impact of their decisions on their teams, businesses, and communities.
Sarah’s recent Alumni Trip to Tanzania to climb Kilimanjaro exemplifies these principles. Alongside her friends Danielle and Arlen, she organized the expedition, putting together a group with varying levels of outdoor
experience. Through monthly Zoom calls, the group prepared for the challenges ahead, emphasizing the importance of embracing the unknowns and working together. “Everyone has, or needs, a friend like Danielle who books the airline ticket before you hang up the phone. She and Arlen made this trip come together.”
To current and future NOLS students, Sarah offers this advice: “Embrace that your NOLS experiences apply beyond the wilderness. Reflect on what you’ve learned and apply those lessons to new situations. You’ve done hard things—you have been in really tough conditions—you can get through whatever comes next, and you’ll thrive, just as you did on your NOLS course.”
Lindsay is the NOLS Annual Giving Director, instructor, and a devoted supporter of NOLS Northeast. With a deep love for the Adirondacks, she lives in Saranac Lake, NY, with her husband and their two young children.
Continue your summer adventure by adding a fall trip with NOLS Alumni to your calendar! Our trips are for both alumni and their guests, and cater to the interests and learning styles of our participants. Join a trip somewhere in the world that’s new to you and trust NOLS to run the show.
We have a wide variety of offerings every year and are adding more trips for 2025. If you don’t see what you’re interested in, contact us; we build custom trips as well. For more information or to sign up call 1-800-332-4280 or visit www.nols.edu/alumni
Backpacking Nepal’s Manaslu Circuit
Dates | October 17-November 1, 2024
Cost | $4,395
Fulfill your mountain-travel dreams—join us for 16 days in the Himalaya hiking one of Nepal’s classic treks! November brings crisp, clear skies, so you can soak in the majesty of the massif as you walk along the trails connecting villages on this trade route. The trails are well-defined, but the hiking is demanding. This trip includes time in several major cities in Nepal for cultural sightseeing and even a cooking class!
Moderate Difficult
You will carry a 25-35 lb pack and hike into high elevations.
Sea Kayaking Baja Mexico’s Bahia Concepcion
Date | November 17-23, 2024
Cost | $2,595
Come to NOLS Mexico to explore one of Baja’s top natural treasures, the Bay of Concepcion! Paddling the Bay will give you a unique perspective on the intersection of desert and ocean, and you can visit and observe the vast wildlife that calls this zone home. Each day, we will explore the Bay via kayak or on foot. Looking for a winter escape and an ocean vacation? Join us!
Moderate Difficult
This trip involves lots of time in kayaks and desert camping.
Leia Berg
Travis Welch
FEATURED COURSE
Patagonia Sea Kayaking - Spanish Immersion
Full Immersion Sea Kayaking Course in Patagonia, Jan. 26 - Feb. 6, 2025
NOLS
Patagonia is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025, and we are commemorating it with an expedition that reflects the values of multiculturalism and diversity for which we are known!
This year, for the very first time, the Sea Kayaking course in Patagonia will offer spots for non-Latin American students whose native language is not Spanish and who want to take on the challenge of joining a transformative expedition taught 100 percent in Spanish.
This 14-day Patagonia Sea Kayaking course offers a unique opportunity to learn navigation techniques in remote areas in an environment that will captivate participants with its beauty and dynamism. Students will develop leadership, risk management, and navigation skills among their classmates while learning to travel with
minimum impact. Fluency in the Spanish language is required so that participants can communicate with classmates and instructors—what better way to fully immerse in the culture?
Students learn to face real challenges, and risk assessment is an integral part of each day.
ALUMNI IN ACTION
Drascombe Boat Sails on in Memory of Beloved and Adventurous Woman
By Anne McGowan Communication Coordinator
In the scenic embrace of Baja California, Mexico, where the Sea of Cortez meets rugged shores, NOLS Mexico operates one of the largest private fleets of Drascombe sailboats in the world. These English boats, with their wide, deep cockpits and adaptable rigs, are ideally suited to the region’s unique sailing conditions. Up until this summer, NOLS Mexico owned 16 of these beloved vessels. This number increased to 17 in a poignant tale of love, loss, and legacy.
The story began in spring when Ximena Carrión Fregoso, NOLS Mexico’s Program Director and Field Instructor, received an inquiry from Tim Johnson, a sailor from New Mexico. Tim was offering a used Drascombe for sale. Unfortunately, it was not in the budget for NOLS Mexico at the time. Despite this, Ximena and Tim started a heartfelt exchange.
Tim shared that he and his late wife, Claudia, had visited NOLS Mexico more than a decade earlier. They had been warmly welcomed by the staff, including founder Tap Tapley, his wife Anita, Clemente Diaz, Cayo Osuna, and Roger Marin, who helped them launch their Drascombe and provided sailing guidance. Claudia, a PhD Geologist with a passion for adventure, had a special bond with the sea. After her cancer diagnosis in 2011, she and Tim had embarked on a memorable sailing trip along the Baja Peninsula, purchasing a Drascombe, along with a couple named Peter Shoenberg and Jane McGrath, they named Valdesca
Claudia’s passing left Tim with a profound sense of loss. Through his conversations with Ximena, Tim decided that rather than selling Valdesca, he wanted to honor Claudia’s memory by donating the boat to NOLS Mexico. This act of generosity, with the full consent of the co-owners, was as much about remembering Claudia’s adventurous spirit as it was about ensuring that Valdesca continued to inspire others.
In July, Tim towed Valdesca from New Mexico to Tucson, Arizona, where he met Ximena. The encounter was deeply emotional for both. “We had a real connection,” Ximena remarked. “It felt like I already knew him.” In return, Ximena presented Tim with a copy of the NOLS history book, A Worthy Expedition, inscribed with a message of gratitude: “To Tim, In deepest gratitude for your extraordinary generosity. Your donation of Claudia’s beloved Drascombe sailboat to NOLS Mexico ensures that her spirit of adventure will live on, guiding and inspiring our students in the Sea of Cortez. Through your kindness, countless lives will be touched and transformed, echoing the mission and history of NOLS. The boat will continue to serve as a vessel for discovery, growth, and positive transformation for all who embark on its journeys. With sincere appreciation, The NOLS Family.”
Both Ximena and Tim were moved to tears as Tim shared the emotional difficulty of parting with Valdesca, yet his excitement about the boat’s new purpose was palpable. While Valdesca requires some repairs, Ximena is confident it will be ready by January 2025, just in time for their Spring Sailing season.
Through Tim’s generous donation, Claudia’s adventurous spirit will continue to sail through the Sea of Cortez, inspiring future generations of NOLS students. In this way, the legacy of a beloved boat and its remarkable owner will live on, bridging past and future in the embrace of the ocean.
Anne grew up camping and hiking with her family in Pennsylvania. A Wind River Wilderness Prime alumna, she left newspaper publishing to write about all things NOLS.
Top: Valdesca and Tim Johnson. Courtesy of Tim Johnson
Courtesy of Tod Schimelpfenig
AWARDS
Shana Tarter: Sworn in as Wilderness Medical Society’s Newest President
By Gates Richards Former NOLS Wilderness Medicine Associate Director
InJune 1990, a young medic and outdoor educator based in Ithaca, NY traveled to Gunnison, Colorado to enroll in a four-week long Wilderness EMT. This was a historic course on a few fronts—it was the inaugural training offered by the newly formed Wilderness Medicine Institute, Inc., and that student, Shana Tarter, would go on to devote 28 years to helping build what is now known as NOLS Wilderness Medicine into the most successful and largest wilderness medicine training program in the world.
In 1995, Shana was recruited by WMI founder Melissa Gray to teach wilderness medicine courses, traveling across the American West in an iconic blue Toyota van that lives on in legends of “the early days.” Shana’s talents for organization and building programs were quickly recognized with one of her early lead instructors commenting in an evaluation, “We’ll all be working for Shana pretty soon — she’s incredible!” In keeping with her mantra of “hire the best people and get out of their way,” Melissa Gray convinced Shana and her husband to move to Pitkin, Colorado (pop. 52) to assume the newly created role of Special Projects Director. Among Shana’s first projects were creating the WMI Instructor Training Course to support the incredible demand for courses and establishing the WMI database. In late 1999, NOLS purchased WMI, and Shana’s two employers became one.
With the move to Lander in 2002, Shana’s impact on WMI and NOLS continued to expand. She continued to drive database development, now with the additional challenge of linking the NOLS and WMI data. She helped the newly formed NOLS Professional Training Institute—now NOLS Custom Education—get off the ground, in part by designing the Administrative Risk Management Training course. She led the partnership building with REI, now the largest sponsor of NOLS courses. She chaired the Wilderness Risk Management Committee, streamlining the WRMC conference while increasing its educational value, and in 2017 she was awarded the Charles (Reb) Gregg award for exceptional leadership, service, and innovation in wilderness risk management. Somehow she also found time to create the Medicine in the Wild elective for third-year medical students in collaboration with the Harvard Associated Emergency Medicine Residency.
In 2023, Shana stepped down from her final administrative role as the shepherd of the NOLS Transformation Project’s database, having spent decades advocating for the ultimate goal of “One School, One Database.”
Shana is now the Managing Director of Diploma in Climate Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. This 250-hour program gives working clinicians the skills and credibility to advocate
for climate-smart policies rooted in health, science, and environmental justice. Building and scaling a novel education program committed to training leaders and change agents brings her full circle back to her beginnings.
In July 2024, Shana was sworn in as the newest President of the Wilderness Medical Society, becoming the first non-doctor to hold the role. The WMS is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the specialty of wilderness medicine.
Gates Richards is the former NOLS Wilderness Medicine Associate Director. He lives in Lander, Wyoming with his wife and children where they can be found running, biking, skiing and fishing. But not at the same time.
FEATURED STORY
NOLS And STEP: Celebrating 20 Years Of Partnership
By Kelli Lusk, Director of Communications, and Lynn Petzold NOLS Instructor and Custom Ed Account Manager
The transformative collaboration between the Student Expedition Program (STEP) and NOLS is celebrating its 20th anniversary. This partnership has been empowering youth through outdoor education and experiences that have changed the lives of Arizona youth.
STEP’s mission is to educate and empower low-income Arizona high schoolers to enroll in and graduate from college. NOLS is proud to participate in this journey with students participating in the NOLS STEP expeditions at NOLS Alaska every year.
Did you know?
• This collaboration has significantly impacted youth over the past two decades, serving more than 450 STEP students.
• Every participant has graduated from high school.
• 96% of STEP’s College-Prep scholars attend or have graduated from college. A student returning from a NOLS STEP expedition summer shared, “I truly feel like I have grown into a different person.” The opportunity to participate in a NOLS
expedition is life-changing for STEP students. There is an attitude of believing that though you might not have imagined yourself as a leader on an Alaskan sea kayak expedition, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it. These STEP students do it.
We know that peer leadership can be challenging for individuals to find their voice. “Found in the L of NOLS, leadership is something I took a lot of notes on. I realized it is important to recognize the needs of your team and not put them in danger.” With the opportunity to be a designated leader on the expedition, a student shared, “As a leader, I became more confident and comfortable with who I am.”
Students leave these expeditions saying, “I’m confident that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.”
Expedition highlights often include developing life-long friendships, discovering self-confidence, broadening horizons, using leadership tools to overcome future challenges, and “experiencing everything that Alaska had to throw at me.”
As NOLS instructors, we see firsthand the impact of time spent in the wilderness
with a supportive community and how it helps create transformational student experiences. The impacts of being on a NOLS STEP expedition go both ways. STEP students often inspire NOLS staff. One instructor shared, and others frequently agreed, “This may have been my best NOLS expedition ever.”
STEP and NOLS are making and changing—one STEP at a time.
Students leave these expeditions saying, “I’m confident that I can do anything if I put my mind to it.”
Lynn began instructing for NOLS in 1994 and has led sea kayaking and backpacking expeditions at many of the domestic and international NOLS campuses. As a NOLS Custom Education account manager she coordinates expeditions for executive, space travel, MBA and scholarship organizations.
Courtesy of Lynn Petzold
FEATURED STORY
Navigating New Wilderness: Cat Broadhead’s Journey Increases Access for Others
By Lindsay Turner Instructor and Annual Giving Director
“I’d like to give more people the opportunity to learn the lessons of tolerance for adversity and uncertainty.”
Catherine“Cat” Broadhead thrives on challenges and the power of teamwork. As a four-time NOLS alumna, performance consultant, and life coach, she’s dedicated to helping people enhance their mental skills and manage life transitions and loss. At the age of 42, Cat faced an unimaginable challenge: she completely lost her hearing due to a rare autoimmune disease and viral meningitis.
Cat views this life-altering event through the lens of her NOLS experiences.
“My experiences with NOLS helped me adjust to a new life,” she shared. “I woke up one day suddenly deaf and unable to walk without falling—a new wilderness. I worked with my team to find new ways of navigating challenges…I think of this challenge as an expedition,” she reflected, drawing parallels between her wilderness adventures and her current journey. “Adversity and uncertainty are part of an expedition and part of life, but there are ways to manage them.”
Cat navigates this challenge through speech reading, American Sign Language (ASL), and developing d/Deaf Education programs in her work.
“NOLS taught me that teamwork means asking for help when you need it. Being a leader does not mean doing it all on your own,” she emphasized.
“My experiences with NOLS helped me adjust to a new life,” she shared. “I woke up one day suddenly deaf and unable to walk without falling—a new wilderness. I worked with my team to find new ways of navigating challenges…I think of this challenge as an expedition,” she reflected, drawing parallels between her wilderness adventures and her current journey.
Both as a dedicated member of the NOLS Summit Team and NOLS Fund supporter, Cat’s contributions to NOLS have significantly impacted expanding opportunities for students who might not otherwise access wilderness medical training. “I’d like to give more people the opportunity to learn the lessons of tolerance for adversity and uncertainty,” she says.
Cat’s philanthropic support provides accessible services for NOLS students who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing stems from her firsthand experience of NOLS’ impact. Her family, too, has felt the positive influence of NOLS courses. As a teenager, she completed a Wind River Wilderness course, followed by three NOLS Wilderness Medicine courses to further her career as a performance consultant.
In the past five years, Cat’s annual giving has supported ASL interpreting and transcription services for nearly 20 Wilderness Medicine Courses. Also thanks to her funding, the 2024 Wilderness Risk Management Conference will be able to provide interpretive services for d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing attendees.
Katie Lewis, NOLS Wilderness Medicine Admissions Director, expresses deep gratitude for Cat’s support. “Her continued generosity fuels our goal of increasing accessibility through translation services for the d/Deaf
and Hard of Hearing community,” Katie said. “This donation has an immeasurable impact on both NOLS and the students we serve.”
Cat Broadhead’s journey is a powerful testament to the enduring value of NOLS education. Her story inspires others to embrace life’s challenges with resilience, teamwork, and an unwavering spirit. Through her efforts, she ensures that the transformative lessons of NOLS are accessible to all, fostering a community where everyone can learn, grow, and thrive in the wilderness and beyond.
Lindsay is the NOLS Annual Giving Director, instructor, and a devoted supporter of NOLS Northeast. With a deep love for the Adirondacks, she lives in Saranac Lake, NY, with her husband and their two young children.
COVER STORY
1977 Waters Run Deep: A Spring Semester Course Reunites
By Shannon Ross Writer and NOLS Alumna
It’shard to say what initially helped form the culture of NOLS 1977 Spring Semester in the Rockies more: the people or the gear.
Larry Mastin, a 20-year-old student on the course, recalled wearing 1977’s finest “Korean War-surplus hickory skis” as well as huge polyester sleeping bags they often used as camp chairs in the snow. Their 80-pound external-frame backpacks aided in the occasional tumble, faceplant, and injury due to weight, but also acted as a conductor for the group to help and rely on each other.
“You learned you actually don’t need something really high-tech. It all worked pretty well—except that it weighed so much,” Larry said, from his home in Vancouver, Washington.
Larry’s is just one of many recollections shared among the group: since the spring of 2023, nearly all the 20 or so students from that course have been sharing memories and stories of their semester during monthly Zoom calls.
After their Feb. 10, 1977, departure from NOLS Rocky Mountain in Lander, Wyoming, the group spent the next three and a half months in a variety of terrain, learning about backcountry skiing in Yellowstone National Park, navigating in Canyonlands National Park, rock climbing, and rafting the Green and Colorado Rivers. As was typical on a NOLS semester, they had a rotating group of specialist
instructors, but their course leader, Carolyn Gillette, accompanied and taught the group the entire semester.
Collectively, the members of the ‘77 group credit much of the collaborative culture and instant “gelling” to Carolyn, who led with a grounded, kind, and authentic-to-herself style. Many members of the group went on to be outdoor educators themselves and still felt that this initial collection of curious, compassionate, and adaptable young people was exceptionally lucky to have found each other.
The group shared a similar willingness–and the energy required–to not only endure weeks camping in the Wyoming wilderness but to truly enjoy the challenges the environment provided.
“Whining wasn’t the culture of our group; our culture was moving forward,” said Bridget Ross, who was 21 at the time of the semester.
Part of why I set out to understand more about this cohort, and why NOLS impacted the trajectory of their lives was
because my mom, Bridget Ross, is part of the ‘77 crew. Growing up in the mountains of Colorado as I did, stories came up naturally about her time with NOLS, and later, Outward Bound. My sister and I heard stories of building snow shelters as a part of daily chores and putting butter in everything for more calories in the cold. She passed down many lessons that have been guiding lights: “You may think you’re stronger than the zipper on your backpack, but you’re not!” and “Always, always, always bring a sleeping bag and a puffy coat. You never know!” Both have served me well.
No matter what chapter of her life, my mom carries a sense of humor, a love for nature, and an appreciation for simplicity.
I wanted to know: was NOLS as foundational a life chapter for the rest of the group? The nature of the ‘77 gang was in carving out moments of joy. John Kerrick, calling from New Hampshire, who has worked in the field of leadership development since his NOLS course, relayed that
Many members of the group went on to be outdoor educators themselves and still felt that this initial collection of curious, compassionate, and adaptable young people was exceptionally lucky to have found each other.
one night after setting camp in a valley, the group went back up the descent to night ski.
“It was too dark to see what was at our feet, with only a narrow slit of sky above through the forest, and it was a hoot. We spent hours skiing down that hillside under the stars.”
Carolyn’s most vivid memory was from later in the course while rafting the Green River. “We were on a night float, and someone was playing the recorder while this enchanting voice sang from the group, across the high canyon walls and down the river. It was stunning.”
In the less sublime moments, where compromise under physical and mental strain in inclement conditions was required, she went on to add, “When you’re living with people and you’re not learning in a classroom, there’s a lot of authenticities that work their way to the surface. This group took charge of their decisions, with a collective energy from the start.”
Ed Caudill remembered struggling with the initial skiing section but finding
his strengths later on in the course.
“Everyone happened to fit in the spot they needed to for us all to gel so well.”
Chris Kwak, writing from her home in Battle Creek, Michigan echoed this sentiment.
“I truly was not experientially or physically prepared for what it was going to take. Through the help of my coursemates, I got stronger and more confident as the semester went on.”
After the winter camping section in Wyoming, the group hit the remaining sections of their course with a stronger sense of confidence and comradery.
“Carolyn made me feel like I could do anything,” Dani Meyers wrote in an email, describing how she felt after leading a section of the Green River.
It’s been decades since the group winter camped, navigated Canyonlands, and rafted the Green River together for over three and a half months.
“We stepped out of our early twenties together and then each had a life,” Carolyn
said from her home near Dubois, Wyoming.
Except for a few visits and letters spanning the years, the group has not been in contact in such numbers since. That is until they started the process of reuniting over Zoom in 2021.
Amy Jelliffe, who has been a psychiatrist since 1994, shared her sense of connecting with the group decades later. “I am fascinated by people, and I am fascinated by everyone who was a part of this group.” On reconnecting over Zoom she said, “It was such a feeling of exhilaration, so exciting in a way I’ve never felt. We’re all together again!”
More than forty years later, the impressions that remain of this group are mostly in how much they cared for each other.
“My NOLS experience was my first profound experience of community and awoke me to the power and potential of this way of being in the world and interacting with the world,” Chris said.
The Spring Semester 1977 reunion, planned for Sept. 5-8, 2024, started as a trickle: a few calls and visits over the years, later a Facebook group in 2021. Eventually, there was enough interest for the first Zoom call in Spring 2023, an ongoing event that keeps the experiences the group shared alive and well in a digital age.
“It’s been a highwater mark and just stayed alive, that deep connection that was forged with this small group of people in the context of nature, seems to me, to be the guiding light of my life—community, and nature,” Raym Ensing told me over the phone.
Dan Bolster echoed this sentiment. “I think that what is remarkable about our course reuniting after forty-some years is that it’s a testament to the love and connection we all felt in 1977, a bond strong enough to bring us all back together today.”
The group of 13 NOLS alumni and several accompanying family members returned to NOLS, pulling up to headquarters on Sept. 6, kidding one another and sharing insider jokes and memories that were 47 years old. After a tour of the Noble Hotel and the Rocky Mountain Campus (the “lumberyard” to these grads), they replicated the photo they took almost half a century before, with the same spirit of fun, camaraderie, and harmony.
“My NOLS experience was my first profound experience of community and awoke me to the power and potential of this way of being in the world and interacting with the world.”
Shannon is a writer from the mountains of Northwest Colorado, currently experiencing island life in Massachusetts. She writes about the characters she meets on her solo travels around the world, as well as the many lessons of exploring the natural world.
CURRICULUM
New Risk Management Director Stands on Years of NOLS Experience
By Anne McGowan Communications Coordinator
Katie Baum Mettenbrink knew she was stepping into big shoes when she accepted the position of NOLS Risk Management Director in November. “So big!” she said with emphasis.
Those shoes formerly belonged to Drew Leemon, who started his NOLS career in 1979—the last 28 of them as NOLS Risk Management Director—and who retired at the beginning of the year.
Katie came to the position from her role as Associate Operations Director, supervising NOLS expedition campuses around the world. But in some ways, Katie said, she feels like she has been training for this job for twenty years.
Her introduction to NOLS occurred in 2003 when, looking for a summer work opportunity to teach outdoor education, Katie took a NOLS Mountain Instructor course.
“I fell head over heels in love with NOLS,” she recalled. “What we were able to accomplish in 34 days was so inspiring and profound. I was offered a contract as a field instructor a few weeks later and I haven’t worked anywhere else since.”
Working as a field instructor, Katie said, “was a privilege. I was so fulfilled and challenged by the adventure and wildness in our classrooms, and so happy to be able to facilitate that for others. I loved being witness to the change in students.”
Her energy for full-time field work faded after six years, though, and she moved into combining instructing with program work in Alaska and at NOLS headquarters in Lander, Wyoming. By 2015, Katie was working for Drew as a NOLS Risk Management consultant, training and advising other organizations, an experience she called, “a wonderful mentorship opportunity.”
Now, almost a year into the director role, Katie is focused on getting her feet under her. “I feel responsible for continuing the work of the people who were here before me, from the pioneering foundation built by Drew and Tod Schimelpfenig—NOLS’ first Risk Management director—to all the instructors and program staff who have contributed to the strong risk culture and practices we have here at NOLS.”
But she also has plans of her own.
“This year and continuing into the future I need to prioritize relationships with instructors and program staff,” she said. “Be visible. I want them to know I trust them and want to hear from them—that’s important,” Katie said. But it’s not a set-it-and-forget-it thing after the first few years, she stressed.
Katie also plans to travel pretty extensively in her first two to three years as director. “It’s helpful in my role to have some familiarity with our campuses and program areas. I’ve never been to India, for example, and I haven’t been to Mexico or Patagonia in over a decade.”
The goal is to be more informed, have context, and be able to picture what’s happening on the ground, to support the evolution of practices and contribute to decision-making, including in emergencies. Katie has done a bit of travel closer to home already, including tagging along on a course re-ration from NOLS Three Peaks Ranch in Boulder, Wyoming.
In addition, Katie said, field practices require constant review and evolution.
“I’ll need to stay focused on that, especially as expectations evolve, we gather new data, and as program areas change,” she said.
In short, Katie plans to move forward while deeply respecting the foundations of risk management built and honed at NOLS in
the past. As a reminder, there’s a whiteboard in her office at NOLS Headquarters with little on it except the large letters WWDD. Its meaning? What Would Drew Do.
Katie lives in Lander with her partner, Pat Mettenbrink, their son Jack, and an energetic puppy named Josie.
Anne grew up camping and hiking with her family in Pennsylvania. A Wind River Wilderness Prime alumna, she left newspaper publishing to write about all things NOLS.
Photo Credit: Brad Christenson
CURRICULUM
Defining Expedition Behavior
By Anne McGowan Communications Coordinator
ExpeditionBehavior. We talk a lot about it at NOLS, but what exactly is it?
NASA Astronaut and U.S. Navy Commander Reid Wiseman, a four-time NOLS grad, described it this way, using an illuminating example from one of his courses: “I was walking with five classmates, two astronauts, and two instructors. We were tired. We were dirty. We were in search of water and a campsite. We had just rappelled down a slot canyon and were now trudging along with heavy packs. Storm clouds approached and a few drops of rain started to hit my arm wiping away a thick layer of canyon dust. As I walked next to NOLS Instructor Rick Rochelle, I muttered: “Ah, just what we need now. Rain.” Without missing a beat, Rick turned to me and said, “This rain feels AMAZING after a long hike. I love it!” He was dead-on right. It did feel amazing. And I went from unhappy to loving it in one sentence.”
Expedition Behavior (EB) is the guiding principle and foundation behind what we do, how we teach, and who we are at
NOLS. Putting it into words, though, can feel a little daunting. Lucky for us, at NOLS it’s part of the curriculum, and we spell it out.
These principles of Expedition Behavior are shared on every NOLS course:
• Mission | Prioritize the mission and the goals of the group.
• Care and Kindness | Care as much for others as you do for yourself.
• Dignity and Respect | Treat everyone with dignity and respect. Respect all you encounter.
• Support | Support leadership and growth in everyone.
• Integrity | Model integrity by being honest and accountable. Resolve conflict in a productive manner.
Perhaps more succinctly, Tod Schimelpfenig, Wilderness Medicine and Field Instructor of 50 years and former holder of many high-level leadership positions at NOLS, said this about EB:
“Expedition behavior is a set of behaviors, a code of conduct that we value:
working together, serving the mission, treating each other with dignity and respect. It’s an intentional choice to be a good teammate, friend, expedition member, family member, a good citizen. To use an old-fashioned word, it’s a virtue.”
It’s making coffee in the break room first thing every morning. It’s holding the door open for the person getting off the bus or train behind you. It’s offering to carry the bulky Fry-Bake in your backpack or getting up early to fry hash browns for your tent mates. EB makes every expedition better, but it also makes work relationships, family partnerships, friendships, and everyday encounters better too.
Want to learn even more (or refresh what you already know) about EB? Watch this short video.
Photo credit: Daniel Johnson
Anne grew up camping and hiking with her family in Pennsylvania. A Wind River Wilderness Prime alumna, she left newspaper publishing to write about all things NOLS.
HOW-TO
How To Prepare for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
By Heather David Alumni Relations Coordinator
Wilderness medicine skills are a vital component of risk management and preparation for all outdoor adventures. It was this understanding that led to the NOLS Wilderness Medicine virtual event series, short skill-specific overviews and demonstrations targeted to all NOLS alumni and held earlier this summer.
For NOLS Wilderness Medicine grads, these events provided an opportunity to dust off the skills learned in their certification courses. Additionally, for all grads, these events gave a quick introduction to topics that could support their next adventure preparation and lead to a deeper dive by signing up for a wilderness medicine course.
The three-part series drew a large crowd of over 500 participants per event and covered ankle taping, blister management, and first aid kits. You can still watch the events on the NOLS YouTube channel if you missed them, accessible through the links below.
Ankle taping and wrapping:
• Snap, crackle, and pop! Did you know that outside of your bowl of cereal, these sounds are signs of a musculoskeletal injury? Jake Wallace, NOLS WEMT Manager, provides an overview of ankle taping and wrapping techniques, including a demonstration on his own foot, to kick off the virtual event series. He advises NOLSies to, “treat the patient by doing a great usability test to determine the best treatment steps. As for taping an ankle, the aim is to support the injury and the patient as well as reduce pain levels. In the end aim to do good, well!”
• Make sure to check that you have tape in your backpack as taping can “help to walk the patient out on their own accord or to just help the patient move around camp.”
Always reassess and monitor the injury to inform whether evacuation is necessary.
• NOLS | Ankle Taping and Wrapping | NOLS Wilderness Medicine Virtual Event Recording
Blisters:
• Have you ever headed out on the trail just to realize you have developed a blister on your toe? Ouch! These pesky blisters can be a trip ruiner, but Jim Wynn, NOLS WEMT Program Specialist, shares some tips and tricks to prevent blisters from occurring in the first place and care for them on the trail. Jim says, “Though blisters may be universal, they don’t have to be inevitable. If we know how to treat blisters by reducing the point of friction, we are in a good place. But if we know how to prevent blisters, we are in a great place!”
• He also responds to the Shakespearean blister quote, “to drain or not to drain, that is the question.”
• NOLS | Blister Care | NOLS Wilderness Medicine Virtual Event Recording
Top items in your first aid kit:
• Help out your trail family by carrying a complete firstaid kit and the knowledge of how to use it. Graham Prather, our Wilderness Medicine Education Manager, shares the top items that should be in everyone’s first aid kit. He recommends starting with a store-bought kit, since it “is likely the most cost-effective way to get a first aid kit started. You can then build in what special things you need, given the trip ahead.”
• Beyond including the correct tools in your kit, Graham says, “The best item in your first aid kit is training and knowledge. Second to that, it’s full of materials you know how to use.”
• If you need training on first aid kits and other wilderness medicine skills, check out the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Courses in your area!
• NOLS | Items in your First Aid Kit | NOLS Wilderness Medicine Virtual Event Recording
Heather joined NOLS as the Alumni Relations Coordinator in 2023 and resides in Truckee, California. She enjoys spending her free time outdoors–skiing, climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and running.
Stay Connected to NOLS!
Take (Another) Course!
Take another course! Check out the 2024 Alumni Trips Catalog.
We are offering more trips than ever and are excited to invite you back to NOLS on another an incredible adventure (you can invite your friends and family members on Alumni trips)!
Or enroll on another Expedition or Wilderness Medicine course!
Attend an Alumni Event
We’re hitting the road and hope to see you in-person at a NOLS Alumni Event in your area! This fall, we met alumni in Boulder and Los Angeles, and will be coming to New York and Boston soon.
Another virtual event series is on the horizon too!
Learn more and sign up! We’d love to see you there!
Learn about ways to involve your family in NOLS: Make a legacy gift, sign up a child, grandchild, niece, or nephew for a NOLS course, or bring family members along on an Alumni Trip!
BOOK REVIEW
“You
Carry the Tent, I’ll Carry the Baby” by Jack McClure
Reviewed by Lindsay Turner Instructor and Annual Giving Director
As a NOLS instructor and mother of two little kids under 4, I found You Carry the Tent, I’ll Carry the Baby by Jack McClure to be a compelling and heartfelt narrative. Initially, I was skeptical of Jack and his wife Alana’s thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) with a 9 month-old, but as I delved into chapter 2, titled “Seems Crazy Not to Do It,” my perspective shifted.
It reminded me of my own parenting philosophy, heavily influenced by NOLS. At just 227 pages, this is the first book I have been able to read from start to finish since having children.
life outdoors. Peppered with humor and warmth, it’s an enjoyable read for all, even those who aren’t avid outdoors enthusiasts.
It reminded me of my own parenting philosophy, heavily influenced by NOLS. At just 227 pages, this is the first book I have been able to read from start to finish since having children.
Jack and Alana McClure, both NOLS graduates, share their family’s ambitious journey along the PCT–a 1,500-mile adventure across Washington, Oregon, and California–with their 9-month-old daughter in tow. Even though I haven’t taken my young children on a thru-hike, their story resonated with me. It’s an honest reflection of the challenges of parenthood, including sleepless nights, a shifting sense of identity, and evolving relationship dynamics.
Jack, a NOLS Alaska Semester 2013 graduate, reflects on his NOLS semester as “the most immersive experience of my life, unlike anything I had ever experienced, and permanently changed its course.” This sentiment echoes throughout the book, underscoring NOLS’ profound impact on their lives and adventures.
Alana’s 2017 NOLS Mexico Baja Sailing course reminded her “how powerful women are,” giving her the inspiration to dream big and feel more comfortable taking on challenges, as she completed an all-female sailing expedition in Baja.
Their NOLS background was instrumental in building the foundation of skills and confidence needed to embark on such a formidable journey.
McClure’s storytelling is vivid and heartfelt, revealing personal growth and the lessons learned along the way–a profound exploration of the transformative power of fatherhood. This book offers an open look at the process of nurturing a young
You Carry the Tent, I’ll Carry the Baby is a celebration of living a life of adventure, even with a family in tow. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, as well as those looking for practical advice on combining parenting with a passion for the outdoors. Jack and Alana’s journey is a shining example of how NOLS skills and values can empower individuals and families to undertake extraordinary endeavors, showcasing the enduring spirit of exploration and the unbreakable bonds of family forged in the wild.
You Carry the Tent, I’ll Carry the Baby can be purchased from Amazon and all major book retailers. More information on Jack, including writings about his NOLS course as well as their life in Alaska, can be found on Jack’s website, animaltreks.com
Lindsay is the NOLS Annual Giving Director, instructor, and a devoted supporter of NOLS Northeast. With a deep love for the Adirondacks, she lives in Saranac Lake, NY, with her husband and their two young children.
Photos courtsey of Jack and Alana McClure
Should I Use Trekking Poles?
Reviewed by Jeremy Cronin NOLS Partnerships Director
With over a thousand students moving through NOLS Rocky Mountain each summer, it is hard not to notice trends. In recent years, a noteworthy trend has been increasing curiosity from both students and instructors: Should I bring trekking poles? Let’s dig into it…
Walking around with some sort of pole for support, whether a stout tree branch or a set of Nordic ski poles, certainly isn’t new. As two-legged creatures, it is sometimes nice to have a third or fourth point of contact with the ground, something our ancestors almost certainly discovered thousands of years ago as they began standing up more often. There are not, however, many modern sports or activities that actively use poles outside of winter sports like Nordic or alpine skiing. The trend in hiking, walking, backpacking, or trail running with a set of poles dates back a half a century old with companies like Leki forming in the 1970s and “Nordic walking” becoming trendy in the late ‘80s.
Now, the market is flooded with telescoping or collapsible poles made of carbon fiber or aluminum with cork, rubber, or foam handles. Materials, design, and price all impact weight or durability, but all trekking
poles basically mirror the function of a good walking stick.
Enough context, the real question is why you would choose to use them. This boils down to personal preference, but scientists have started to weigh in on the debate in recent years. Their findings support this wildly over-simplified conclusion: using trekking poles is akin to shifting our 2WD bodies into 4WD mode.
Some benefits include:
• Increased Horsepower: Engaging muscles in your upper body can provide more power and increase calorie burn.
• Balanced Load: Dispersing load across more muscle groups decreases the targeted impact on muscles and joints in your legs.
• Stability and Traction: There are more points of contact that can support stability in variable or complex terrain.
On the flip side, there are reasons why folks prefer to stay in 2WD:
• Cumbersome: For those who prefer a hands-free hiking experience.
• Expensive/Extra: Unnecessary additional stuff/weight to haul around on an expedition.
• Impactful: It’s similar to those rutted 4WD roads out there. Trekking pole use generates a highly focused impact in certain environments and should be used thoughtfully and appropriately.
Now, you’re off to make your own decision. Here are your options:
• Forgo Trekking Poles: Congratulations! You’re all set. No shopping required.
• Try Before You Buy: Many outdoor stores (including REI) rent poles at affordable prices.
• Need a Recommendation?: For quick missions where speed/agility are paramount, the Distance Carbon Z Poles from Black Diamond fit the bill. For expeditions, where versatility and durability trump all else, my Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Poles are still going strong after 150+ weeks of personal and professional use.
Jeremy enjoys long walks in the mountains (or canyons) and testing new techniques/gear along the way. Results vary, but the learning never stops.
No-Bake Energy Bites
From the NOLS Cookery
Whenyou’re rushing out the door on your way to a rock-climbing session or a long hike, these little energy bites are the perfect snacks to have on hand to munch in the car or on the trail. They hit the spot when you’re studying, watching a movie, or trying to satisfy hungry kids, too!
These No-Bake Energy Bites, a favorite from the NOLS Cookery, are an easy recipe you can make ahead of time so you don’t need to scramble for a snack.
Ingredients
1/2 cup sunflower seeds and/or chopped nuts
1 cup raisins, Craisins, or other chopped-up dried fruit
1/2 cup granola or 1/2 cup cooked brown/white rice
1/2 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew, etc.)
1/2 cup powdered milk (regular, soy, coconut, Nido, etc.)
1/2 cup honey
1/4 to 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup dried regular or instant oatmeal
1 tsp. cinnamon
A few drops of vanilla
Directions
1. Mix all ingredients except flour in a large bowl.
2. Gradually add flour until the mixture becomes less sticky.
3. Let mixture set in a cool place for 15-20 minutes until the ingredients bind together (ex. in the snow, shade, or in or near a stream).
4. Pinch off small amounts and roll into small, 2-inch nuggets.
5. Nuggets are ready to eat! Store in a sealed container or plastic bag until you’re ready to eat.
Keep the nuggets cool and eat within one to two days (you’ll have a little longer if you’re at home and able to store them in the refrigerator).
THANK YOU!
Every day, we are inspired and uplifted by the success and accomplishments of our students. Now more than ever, the lessons of a NOLS education are crucial for our global society and the health of our planet.
“I think that the greatest lesson I learned in my NOLS course is this: if I trust in myself and put in the effort, I can do anything. If I push past discomfort when things get difficult, there are amazing things on the other side. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be a part of this course and this organization.”
–Kaitlyn,
NOLS Wilderness Medicine scholarship recipient
To our donors and supporters, thank you endlessly for believing in our mission and enhancing our student experience. We couldn’t do what we do without you!