Fall Season in Full Swing!

NOLS Southwest's season is in full swing!  We have three semesters in the field.  Two Fall Semesters in the Southwest (FSW 1 and 2) and one Sonoran Semester (FSS 1).  FSW 1 headed to Southern Arizona yesterday to start their caving section.  FSW 2 and FSS 1 are hiking in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico.

We had a magnificent monsoon season this year, producing over 13 inches of rainfall.  Last time it rained like that was 1964!  This September the desert was an emerald green and the barrel cactus looked like they were going to explode!  As October approaches, hints of fall are starting to sprout up, the ocotillo are turining a golden yellow and the skies are crytsal blue. 

We have a great crew of in-town staff this fall.  Check out this great photo of our newest addition, Owen the dog:

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Teaming Up For Climbing

Section 2 of the Rocky Mountain Fall semesters (FSR-2) swung through town the other day after a wintery hike in the Wind River Mountains. A few frozen boots can't stop this crew --they are in it together! Now they're off to set up base camp in Sinks Canyon for their climbing section, but not without a synergetic team huddle. Have fun climbing!!

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Rollin' Out to Utah

The 3rd section of the Fall Rocky Mountain semesters (FSR-3) dropped by the Rocky Mountain location to swap their heavy fleece for some board shorts and sunscreen. That's right, they're off to Vernal, Utah where they'll grab the rest of their river gear and head out to Desolation & Grays Canyon to float the mighty Green River. These guys won't be back in Lander for a while, as they'll remain in Utah when they transition to their climbing and later their canyoneering sections. We'll miss you 'till November; have fun guys!!

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A little snow never hurt anyone...

The Outdoor Educator Course returned to Lander yesterday after spending close to a month out and about in the woods.  The group was able to get an early taste of winter when they were hit with a substantial amount of that white, fluffy stuff we all know and love.  Despite the crazy weather, they all arrived with high spirits, greasy hair and tan faces.  They were able to hone in on their rock climbing, fishing and backpacking skills throughout the trip and in the meantime ran into several species of wildlife including bear and elk. All in all, it sounds like it was one heck of a good time! 

Alex Montalvo and Jen Kornahrens gettin' spicy, (or at least organizing spices).

-Ainsley

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Unknown sources report the Fall Semester in the Rockies section-8 is having a humdinger of a good time.

The 8th section of the fall semester in the Rockies (FSR-8) is well on its way into the depths of the Wyoming wilderness. This group of 12 unique students from across the country, as well as Japan, are in the midst of a journey together for the next few months.  Do not fret, their trusty course proctor, Seth will be sharing his outdoor leadership skills with these young grasshoppers. FSR-8 will be trekking through the Wind River Range for the mountain section of their semester until we meet up with them again in early October, when they return to the Rocky Mountain Branch in the bustling metropolis of Lander, WY.  While in town, they will be swapping gear in preparation for their climbing section. 

-Ainsley, the intern

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Gearing up in Lander

Section 2 of NOLS' Fall Semester in the Rockies (FSR-2) ripped it up on their river course through Desolation/Grays Canyon and the Gates of Ladore. After a quick gear change back in Lander, including some stylish new orange accessories, they're ready to roll out to the Wind River Mountains for a few weeks of backpacking. Click on the photo for more FSR-2 photos.

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The interns have arrived!

Welcome to the NEW NOLS Rocky Mountain Blog!

Each season at the Rocky Mountain (RM) we are infused with the energy, mad skills and experience of 2-3 interns.  They hail from all over the country and stay with us here in Lander, Wyoming for ten weeks at a time.  Often they become a part of NOLS in other capacities post internship.  Recently an intern at the RM took a job in the Staffing Department, others go on to take an instructor course or sign-up for their first NOLS expedition.  Still others go on to work for other organizations and/or continue their education.

Recently, two new interns arrived on the scene fully equipped to juggle the various special projects handed to them.  Ainsley Chew, born and bred in the great state of Rhode Island and recently living in Vermont, arrived in early September with her dog, Hunter, at her side.  After her stint at NOLS she heads out to Crested Butte, Colorado to float the slopes and work.  We hope to sign her up for her first-ever NOLS course before she leaves. 

Cheyanne Pearl rolled into town this weekend, just in time for a birthday soiree.  Her home: a camper on the back of her truck!  This will be her last quarter at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA and is working towards a River Instructor's Course.

We welcome them both to NOLS and the Rocky Mountain community!

Cheyanne and Ainsley takin' a break from their special projects.

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More NOLS Adventures in Space!

As NASA mission STS-115 launched on Saturday more NOLS graduates returned to space.  NOLS congratulates the crewmembers of shuttle Atlantis and would especially like to congratulate NOLS alumni Chris Ferguson (pilot/ Captain USN) and mission specialist Joe Tanner on their successful return to space.  Joe and Chris and the rest of the shuttle crew are contributing to the ongoing effort to complete the International Space Station by spending 11-days in space to add 17.5-ton solar arrays doubling the station’s energy capacity. 
    In August of 2004, Joe and Chris took a ten-day NASA Sea Kayak Leadership Course in Prince William Sound. Under the mentorship of senior NOLS instructors the NASA course traveled to remote areas of the Northwest such as Pt. Nowell and Chenega Island while practicing integral skills in leadership and teamwork. On their course Joe and Chris became especially fond of backcountry baking and to our knowledge are some of the first fighter pilots to master fine dining in the wilderness.  Veteran NOLS instructor Tod Schimelpfenig described Chris and Joe as  “ Strong leaders and role models who had a huge positive influence on their course mates and I’m sure they’ll have that same influence on their crew.”  NOLS wishes Joe and Chris and the rest of the Atlantis crew best of luck and we look forward to their return to Earth on September 20th.    

(Left: Joe Tanner, Chris Ferguson, instructor Tod Schimelpfenig)
(Center: Joe Tanner baking)
(Right: STS-115 crew before launch)

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NOLS Bus on WPR

For over two years the NOLS Bus has brought information on leadership, backcountry skills and environmental ethics to venues across the country. Its colorful graphics and interactive workshops garner attention from students, highway passersby and the media, most recently Wyoming Public Radio, which featured NOLS Marketing Manager and bus aficionado Matt Copeland in a segment about Wyoming’s diesel shortage. As fossil fuels grow scarce and expensive, and carbon dioxide contributes to global warming, the importance of alternative energy sources rises accordingly. WPR’s Kristin Espeland questioned Copeland about the effectiveness of and mechanics behind Recycled Vegetable Oil (RVO), fuel for the NOLS Bus. The show, “Vegetable Oil for Fuel,” is not only an exciting milestone for NOLS, but also a promising step against the current energy and environmental crisis. You can listen to Copeland debunk myths (no, you don’t need to alter your engine to use RVO) and discuss adventures in obtaining restaurant grease (yes, some patrons are reluctant to part with frying solvent) at the WPR website.

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