Hello and Farewell

A big Rocky Mountain WELCOME to our new summer intern, Abe Goodale!  Abe originally hails from the great state of Maine.  Recently, he's attended the University of Utah where he studied Parks, Recreation, and Tourism with an emphasis in Experiential Ed and a minor in ceramics.  We are thrilled to have Abe a part of our RM team.  From the sounds of it, he's got mad art, frisbee, photography, skiing and good human being skills.  Abe will be joined by two other interns, Sara and Chris, in early June.  Stay tuned. . .

Sadly, two weeks ago, we said goodbye to our spring RM interns, Sandy Bandhu and Jared Pangretic.  The RM is a better place because of these two and we already miss their daily shenanigans and positive influences.  Sandy is back in NYC and looking into a number of next adventures.  No doubt, he will find something interesting and contribute positively.  Jared will be joining the ranks of the NOLS bus crew!  We look forward to seeing his blogs as well as his face back in Lander in July.

Sandy and Jared would like you, our readers, to know that they are legends among legends. . .uh huh.

Woolly Buggers

On April 26th and 27th NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) held the annual fly-fishing seminar. It was instructor by Jim Ferguson, George Hunker, Molly Semenik, and Alan Pirie. George owns and operates his own guiding service, Sweet Water Fishing ; in the summers Alan lends a hand.  Jim co-owns Patagonia Fishing, and Molly runs Tie the Knot Fishing.  With the combined effort the 25 students were in for a highly energetic and informative class. Half of the class was spent inside and the other in the field.  On Saturday afternoon the course took it to Lucky Pond for some hands on experiece.  Catching one fish, since NOLS thoroughly supports catch and release, they were taught how to clean and cook the fish on a whisperlite stove.  Also, involved was sifting the water to find what insects live there. The insects were identified in an entomology class and matched closely to the tackle box.

On Sunday, the majority of the day was spent learning how to fish rivers.  The students were split up, matched with an instructor, and brought to various fishing locations.  There the cast, reading rivers, finding holes, and LNT principles were perfected.  Several students caught fish, but like any angler many did not!

Earth Day Festivities

For Earth Day, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) was delighted to have Tom Reed, from Trout Unlimited, and Jen Lamb, NOLS Public Policy Director, speak about protecting the Wyoming Range.  Tom Reed, who was a previous NOLS Instructor and worked in the Admissions Department, discussed the Wyoming Range Legacy Act, which is currently working through Congress.  The Act is attempting to protect 44,000 acres in the Wyoming Range, which includes some NOLS operating areas. The event was held at the Noble Hotel and open to the public. 

In addition, Tom was representing the Sportsman for the Wyoming Range, which is a coalition of outfitters, guides, and conservation groups. NOLS is proud to be a member of this organization. They are on the forefront of protecting natural areas and strive to prevent oil drilling in these lands. Kevin Bergstom stated, “It was great to see community members come together for this important conservation effort.” 

After the speech the floor was open to ask questions, discuss the future of Wyoming’s namesake mountains, and make individual comments directed to the Forest Service.  It was a great Earth Day turnout and fantastic to see the community devotion to protecting our beautiful landscape!   

River Rats

Spring Semester in the Rockies – 3 (SSR-3) returned from Vernal Utah Base yesterday after several weeks on their river section.  They were able to get the full spectrum of water sport experience, traveling down river through they canyons in white water kayaks and in a paddle raft/ oar rigged vessel.  They were able to learn vital skills as they paddled through class three rapids. A good amount of the students were able to learn and master their rolls and some were even able to learn play boating moves such as stern squirting, cart-wheeling, and stalling.

The students of SSR-3 are currently gearing up here at NOLS Rocky Mountain for their final component of their semester: climbing.  They will be first heading to the Needles and then to Devil’s Tower.  They leave with high expectations of learning new skills, having yet another awesome experience, and continuing to have “lots of man time” and bonding.

Canyon Star Gazing

The OES students just returned to NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) from their canyon section.  As their hair and beards continue to grow so do the students.  They seem closer than the “Brady Bunch”.  On their canyon section they had the opportunity to test out recipes from the NOLS Cookery, master the fine art of the twiggy fire, and work on rappelling! A favorite recipe was baking bread, in more than one way and a highlight was “swimming and not swimming in Gravel Canyon”. 

As they made another appearance in the Gulch Food Store, they found this time would be unlike the previous ration processes.  Being an OES semester it is a vital learning component of their course.  The “Brady Bunch” did the math, figured out pounds per day, and made sure they would maintain the proper daily nutrient values.  Also, they are very excited to begin their rock climbing section where they will be at Split Rock and Sinks Canyon.  At Split Rock they will go over top roping and multi-pitching.  Then, they transfer to Sinks Canyon to learn how to sport climb, rescue methods, and lead climbing progression.  With spring weather finally on the way, their climbing classroom will be beautiful!      

Feature Film

NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) has been steadily working on filming the new clip for the RM’s site about the issue room and the outfitting process. NOLS production assistant, Virginia Moore, followed the given direction and has been editing and finalizing the project before venturing off to NOLS Southwest to begin another filming project on her course. 

Between the experience of the outfitting staff and course instructors, and the wide range of new and top quality gear in stock in the issue room, prospective and incoming students should feel confident and assured that they can get everything they need for their course.  The goal was to create a clip that was short, informative, and entertaining.  It should be posted soon, so keep an eye out for it on the NOLS Rocky Mountain webpage.  Also, coming soon should be an extraordinary once in a lifetime clip of a dance scene that you may or may not have heard about.  Keep your eyes and ears open, for it should be a mind blowing experience!

A Glimplse from the Field

This week at NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) instructors returned from the Spring Semester in the Rockies (SSR) canyon section.  Tanned, toned, and beaming with excitement, we were able to hear a few of their stories and highlights from their excursions in the field. 

SSR-3/4 B was instructed by Muthoni Muriithi, Drew Seitz, and Silas Schrader.  Muthoni has instructed many backpacking trips for the RM and lead other courses out of several of NOLS’ international bases.      Drew has been instructing courses for sometime now and was more recently part of the Teton Valley staff.  Silas Schrader completed his Outdoor Educator Semester in the fall and was a first time instructor for this canyon section.

Highlights included the passing through and by of Robber’s Roost, Blue John Canyon, and the exact location at which Aaron Ralston amputated his arm from a boulder using his pocketknife.  The group traveled a total distance of ninety-seven miles, experienced a forty-eight hour solo, and endured a four-night small group expedition.  One reoccurring theme on the course was cutting hair with trauma sheers.  The range of style included a Mohawk and a “skullet” (the combination of a shaved head and a mullet).   

Discount Bay

As NOLS Rocky Mountain (RM) tradition continues, the annual yard sale is coming up this weekend.  The issue room gurus and Rocky Mountain interns have been working hard all week setting up elaborate displays, tweaking gear, all while keeping it behind close doors.  The yard sale will be held on Saturday, April 5th, from 8 am to 12 pm.  Also, during the yard sale the Gourmet Gulch food store will be open.  So come on down, get some killer deals, and bring your own food bag to receive a 15% discount on food.      

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.

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.

Archives

May 2008 | April 2008 | March 2008 | February 2008 | January 2008 | December 2007 | November 2007 | October 2007 | September 2007 | August 2007 | July 2007 | June 2007 | May 2007 | April 2007 | March 2007 | February 2007 | January 2007 | December 2006 | November 2006 | October 2006 | September 2006 | August 2006 | July 2006 | June 2006 | May 2006 | April 2006 | March 2006 | February 2006 | January 2006 | December 2005 | November 2005 | October 2005 | September 2005 | August 2005 | July 2005 | June 2005 | May 2005 | April 2005 | March 2005 | February 2005 |