Rackin' the Bus

There's just something about heavy machinery...  In preparation for the summer season, those talented guys in Rocky Mountain transpo recently manufactured and mounted an impressive new bus rack.  Custom manufacture in house; also impressive and high NOLS-standard quality.  This NOLS bus will cruise down the road in style, packs and gear safely stowed, escorting summer students into the Wyoming wilderness. 

Teamwork, vision and action, communication - never in short supply around the Rocky Mountain transpo department.

Tom Sweet surveys the scene for final placement.

Steve Matson guides the last crucial inches.

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TENT REPAIR DAY

Today, Tuesday April 24, 2007, was tent repair day at NOLS Southwest.  On this day, the operations staff came together to assist James, our Outfitting Manager, with repairing all branch tents. 

Below, James gives us a big smile as he inspects the last of the tents.   

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Lights On!

Lander elementary students in the Lights On program got a little taste and trial of a NOLS course experience.  NOLS Rocky Mountain interns provided some education and entertainment during two after school sessions.  Students learned about NOLS programs and history, set up a Nuk-Tuk shelter, and ate trail food during the first session.  They finished up discussing Leave No Trace principles and left their playground litter-free after a trash scavenger hunt.  During the second session students brainstormed items they might take on a NOLS course, learned about the gear students actually take, helped with a pack-packing demonstration, and finally got to try on the finished product.  Lessons well learned, hopefully we'll see some of these students on a course soon!!

The group gathers after a successful trash hunt.

Erin demonstrates how to pack for a NOLS course.

Reb isn't sure he can carry this pack for a 10-mile hiking day.

Students try on a full pack.

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Spring Sketch

A sketch of Moqui Canyon in the Grand Gulch area of southern Utah. 

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Meanwhile in Internland

We interns DO know how to have some fun.  Amidst our duties making custom maps, helping in rations and outfitting, blogging, surveying, and generally helping out; we find ways to stay easily entertained.

 

Erin and Jason demonstrate their slacking skills.

Jason and Mitch on custom mapping for the Light and Fast Seminar, "Not so much here, but HERE...." 

Early spring smiles at the NOLS Utah base; spring interns Jason, Mitch, and Erin with Special Projects Manager Lara. 

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On the Trail of SSR4

With a quick trip to Vernal, we caught SSR4 at the end of their trip down the Green River.  Students were busy drying out, showering, packing ropes, making repairs, and enjoying some time in town before a transition to Lander for their final section of climbing.

Details, details.  After an action packed river excursion, all the gear must be cleaned and stored.  SSR4 student tests his patience as he packs the final rope bags.

 
Instructor Marianne D. takes students through the last stages of cleanup before they pack for Lander.

 
Students enjoy a fresh breakfast on a cool Vernal morning.

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Southwest INSTRUCTOR COURSE!!!

The Southwest's Spring Instructor Course is all smiles minutes before leaving for the Gila

On Thursday, April 12th, the newest instructor prospects headed to the Gila to being the hiking section of their instructor course.  After successful completion of the course they are eligible to work in the field for NOLS.  Best of luck to all of them this spring!!   

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NOLS Learns to Lighten Up

Representatives Demetri Coupounas (Coup) from GoLite and Ryan Jordan from BackpackingLight Magazine arrived at NOLS headquarters last week to display some of their favorite gear and to address questions from a captivated audience. We saw backpacks, sleeping bags, stoves and more that could all be tossed around like beanbags they were so light! We left the presentation itching to run into the mountains and test it out ourselves.

However, NOLS instructors at both the Southwest and the Rocky Mountain branches actually got to do the field-testing on three-day seminars with Coup and Ryan. The seminar gave instructors the opportunity to experiment with the durability and comfort level afforded by the new gear, and while the jury is still out on which items could become new NOLS standards, the potential for lighter packs has everyone buzzing!

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Tolerance for Adversity and Nor'Easters

Two of NOLS' Lander employees are proving their mettle in the Boston Marathon today! Development Officer Gary Wilmot and Rocky Mountain Program Supervisor Chris Brauneis traveled to Boston over the weekend and are currently fighting wind gusting to 50 mph and driving rain to finish the race. Talk about tolerance for adversity and uncertainty...

We've been tracking them online throughout the day–-only six more miles to go, guys!

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Sights from Nepal

Rocky Mountain Vernal base director, Phil Henderson recently traveled to Nepal to teach mountaineering skills to local Sherpa guides with the Alex Lowe Charitable Foundation.  Local Sherpa people are well adapted to their high alpine environment, but as guides, lack important skills.  Phil's trip lasted almost a month, including visits and trekking to the villages of Lukla, Phortse, Naamche, and Paasang.  10 days was spent teaching 60-80 students to develop sound technical skills, risk assessment, and judgment.

A street shop in Lukla

Naamche Baazar, a 2 day hike from Lukla

Townspeople in Phortse

Student, Phil, and Sherpa elder - the owner of the tea house where Phil stayed while instructing

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