Backpacker Magazine - The Manual: Delux Winter Camping, Pitch Your Tent

"Snowy site? Here's how John Gookin, coauthor of NOLS Winter Camping, stomps out a perfect camp: 1. Flatten an area twice the size of your tent's footprint with your skis or snowshoes. 2. Lay out the tent (but don't pitch it yet), then dig trenches for deadman anchors. Make the trenches six to 12 inches deep, a foot away from each corner. Gookin's deadman of choice is a smooth, two-foot-long stick because you can pull the line and leave the stick behind (stakes, trekking or ski poles, and snow-filled stuffsacks also work). Place them perpendicular to the line of pull..." Read the full article at Backpacker.com.

Share |

What is risk management oversight?

Following the Risk Management Training in Minneapolis, MN (a pre-conference workshop to the AORE conference), I had the chance to ask Risk Management Training instructor Missy White how she defined and explained the term risk management oversight. Here is what she said:

"Risk management oversight means consideration of risks from both a systematic and systemic point of view.

Systematic means a crisply linear, cause and effect analysis, which of course is vital. That’s how we recognize that shoulder injury data compiled on river courses reveals the need for better technique instruction on bracing.

A systemic viewpoint recognizes that most aspects of an organization are inherently related, and that no decision can be made in a vacuum. For instance, a decision to spend  money for communication devices affects scholarship money for diversity. Holding to a systemic point of view requires clarity of mission as well as rigorous evaluation of all decisions against the whole landscape of an organization."

Missy White is a senior NOLS instructor, having worked 230+ weeks in the field since 1987. With a Masters in Organizational Development, White has worked numerous Instructor Courses and is an avid practitioner of risk management and leadership development for individuals and organizations.

Share |

Brown featured in Athens, Georgia News

Brown is recognized in this issue for his completion of the Wind River Wilderness course, the course that Paul Petzoldt created to launch the National Outdoor Leadership School in 1965.

 

 

Share |

Transition Time

Students on the first Semester in Patagonia of this season have just completed their kayak route, and have now transitioned into their Independent Travel section. These students have earned the privilege of conducting their own hiking expedition with NOLS support, but without instructors present. They've planned their routes, packed their food, and set out on a 10-day hiking trip where they can put to use their outdoor skills and leadership obtained in their first two sections. This group will complete their independent travel section and return to the NOLS Campo on November 28 for their end-of-semester graduation party.  

Share |

Students get ready for the cold...

In a previous post I mentioned how NOLS Rocky Mountain was working hard to prep for our NOLS Fall Semester in the Rockies winter sections. The day has finally come as three separate courses and instructor teams bag their food and try on ski boots in anticipation of the coming weeks. Posted below are some of pictures taken from today. Check out our Flickr site for more photos! 

 

Share |

NOLS MythCrushers Episode 1: Fish Eyes

Fish eyes are the bubbles rising from the bottom of the pot as water is heated. Some people believe this is hot enough for reliable disinfection. We disagree.

Let us know what you think, leave a comment! Be sure to stay tuned for the next episode, NOLS MythCrushers Episode 2: Snake Bites.

Share |