Hibernation Ends

NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) is getting ready for summer.  After returning from instructing a winter section of a Spring Semester in the Rockies, Emily Shoutis-Frank, the RM Outfitting Coordinator, has been working hard storing away the zero degree sleeping bags, taking off the bindings from telemark skis, and making room for new shipments of gear.  Preparation has involved building new shelves and racks, unpacking climbing equipment, and beautifying the hallways with new coats of paint, all while blasting classic fist pumping 80’s tunes.  Emily is thrilled to see some friendly faces return this summer and to do some fly fishing.

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Vernal Visit

This week the Rocky Mountain (RM) Interns visited the Rocky Mountain River Base in Vernal, Utah.  It was a great opportunity to get out of the office and help out the base manager, Phil Henderson, and the new rations manager, Pam Rosal with various chores.  We were able to help out sorting and organizing rations and re-rations for the numerous Spring Semester in the Rockies courses, sort and organize rafting gear, unwrap and stack new Liquid Logic kayaks, and take a tour of the grounds.  Right now the base is in the beginning stages of several new building projects.  Phil’s envisions staff housing, a new bathroom facility, and storage expansion.  While, the River Base seemed quiet at during this point of the year, it is gearing up for the busy spring and summer seasons.

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Crossing Borders

NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) welcomes Aila Brennan the new Logistics Assistant to the branch.  Aila comes from the great state of Connecticut and is a graduate of Green Mountain College in Vermont where she studied Adventure Recreation.  She first became involved with NOLS during her Summer Semester in the Rockies in 2005.  Aila has since then spent several seasons at Teton Valley working first as Operations Assistant in the summer of 2006, and then as Rations Manager in the winter and summer of 2007.  On a side note, Aila enjoys snowboarding, kayaking, backpacking, climbing and the usual outdoor activities, but she also cuts her own hair and is into modern dance.  Aila is “stoked” to be working here in Lander and similarly RM is excited to have her.

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The Art of Learning

The Outdoor Educator Semester (OES) course returned to NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) from their winter section in the Teton Valley, where they did not see a single soul for nearly 30 days.  They learned lots of new winter skills, as well as how to crash gracefully with telemark skies, backpacks, sleds, and all!  Upon completing the winter section the group is unified and there was even a few acts of head shaving! 

In between their first two sections they were fortunate enough to have a leadership seminar taught by John Abel.  John has a well-established presence at NOLS; has been an instructor since 1991, worked as Program Supervisor at the Southwest branch, and has spent around 263 weeks in the field.  The seminar was over the course of two days and was packed with information. Some leadership topics included Self Awareness, Coaching, and Vision and Action. 

The OES students were then issued, rationed, and ready to get back into the field.  Their next section is canyons and they are thrilled to be in warmer weather and sleeping in tents.  We look forward to hearing more tales and head shavings!   

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Heading for the Hills

SSR5 is headed for the hills, or canyons, that is.  The group of 15 students came through the issue room of NOLS Rocky Mountain eager to get on their way tomorrow morning.  They've spent the last two days in Wilderness First Aid training at the Noble Hotel.

The first section of their course will take them backpacking into the canyon, something Ryan Preston is most excited for. Miles Johnson is looking forward to the whole experience, but more specifically Climbing and Horse Packing.

The group moves on from issuing to The Gulch, where they meet with Claudia who will be helping them with their rations and cookery.

From here it's all about packing and preparing for tomorrow's departure.  We wish SSR5 Happy Trails and look forward to their return at the end of May.

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Fresh Tracks

NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) Spring Semester in the Rockies-1 (SSR-1) recently said goodbye to the mountains and deep snow and embarked on the next phase of their semester program.  Before heading back out into the field, instructor Craig Muderlak left a CD of photographs, which highlight their backcountry skiing section: the moment before prepping for a descent, traveling through the forest with sleds, skinning up hill before sunrise, the view on top of the peak at sunrise, carving out amazing tele-turns, and leaving marks of fresh tracks.

To view these moments click on any of the following photos to bring you to the NOLS Rocky Mountain Flickr pool.

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Call for photo submissions

Do you have the best backpacking shot we've ever seen? How about a spectacular sunset that should really be liberated from its digital state and printed in all it's glory on a big glossy page? Now's your chance to see if your photo has what it takes to make the NOLS 2009 catalog of courses!

Submissions are due April 1, 2008, so get those photos in! See our terms and conditions (pdf) to find out more about the best way to submit your photos. We'll need you to sign and submit the terms and conditions with your photos.

We're excited to see your shots! Get in touch if you have any questions: publications@nols.edu.

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