Thank You Janeen Hutchins, and Good Luck in Lander!

The staff of NOLS Southwest would like to take this opportunity to thank Janeen Hutchins for her leadership, vision, hard work, and friendship during the last three and a half years she has spent as the Southwest Director. During her tenure, construction of the infamous shower house was completed, a canoe barn was built, and three staff housing yurts were added to the facility. The Southwest also saw a growth in course types with the addition of a Lightweight Backpacking course and the WMI Medicine in the Wild program. We would also like to note that the very collaborative tone that Janeen set was the cornerstone of our community.

Janeen is moving to NOLS International Headquarters as the new Field Staffing Director, and we think the HQ is darned lucky to have her.

Thanks again for all of your efforts here Janeen, you will be greatly missed. One last piece of advice: You can't wear flip flops when it is -20 in Lander this winter!

-Scott Christy

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That's a Wrap

The Southwest officially closes the season today, having hosted an amazing throng of students.  A big thank you to all the Fall Semester and Sonoran Year students – your energy and enthusiasm made this season a blast.

Each of our fall courses depends heavily on the high quality and investment of NOLS Instructor Teams.  Our sincere thanks to all of you!  It was great having you and we look forward to seeing you soon.

On that note, we want to extend yet another strong thank you to our three proctors from this fall:  Ann Schorling (Fall Semester 1), Kurt Simer (Fall Semester 2), and Lisa Bauer (Sonoran Year).  Thank you for all your hard work, always offering your help around the branch, and providing all of your students with an outstanding experience. 


Ann Schorling woos Fall Semester 1 with her closing speech.


Lisa Bauer does a lot more than “spritzing” her way through the Proctor Pool Challenge


Kurt Simer proudly carries the infamous toilet seat, even through a late season dip

Also, in follow-up to our last blog, we’d like to announce the winners of the Zombie Plan Competition.  Willy Cunningham takes “best photo essay submission.”  Please email Willy if you would like to view this, as the web link has sadly expired.  Ryan Hutchins-Cabibi takes “best comprehensive and sure-to-defeat-zombies” zombie plan.  He will happily share with anyone wishing to learn this critical survival skill-set, complete with NOLS-based strategies.

Alright, everyone go enjoy some snow!


Closing Shot:  Sonoran Year students point towards Mexico

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Chili Cook Off Results, Zombie Plan Competition Announced

This is a busy week down here at the NOLS Southwest, with the return of a Fall Semester and the Sonoran Year courses.  For both, temperatures in the high 80’s to low 90’s have made essential housekeeping tasks, like van washing, more appealing than usual, as equipment is shuffled and prepped for the next adventure. 

On Monday, ready-for-action proctor Kurt Simer organized a little field trip to see “Zombieland” for Fall Semester students.  This movie has caused a bit of conversation.  According to Nick Storm there are two kinds of people in this world:  "Those who have a zombie plan and those who don't."  Agreed.  Thus, we have established a Best Ever Zombie Plan Competition.  Electronically mail your plan, in 200 words or less, to Ryan Mauter at ryan_mauter(at)nols.edu.  It better be awesome.  Prizes?  Probably not.  Glory, honor, and undeniable prestige?  Certainly.

Also, I just want to add that I won the first annual NOLS Southwest Chili Cook Off.  I whooped Elise Guarino, Scott Christy, and Jan Spicer.  I've never seen a grown man cry -- big, choking cry -- as hard as Scott did last week.  Though Jan took "most chili-like" and Elise "best use of barbecue flavor," the people spoke.  Winner:  me.  Truly, the competition was fierce and each dish was delicious.  Expect revised rules and increased competition Fall 2010.   

Today, Sonoran Year students began their Leadership Education and Development Seminar (LEADS).  With NOLS veteran John Abel leading, students will further explore the NOLS leadership curriculum and their personal leadership styles. 

Departing for the Rio Grande this morning, Fall Semester students filed into a fully-geared bus – a beautiful sight and exciting moment for the beginning of any expedition.  Duck Murphy, Rebecca Raynor, and Max Fisher will be joining Kurt to complete the instructor team for this section.  Jan Spicer is currently elated to be playing “Fairy Dog Mother” for Ocho (down here with Duck) who has made instant friends with resident branch dogs Luna, Scout, and Nimbus.     

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A-OK at the KOA

On Sunday, after completing a very successful, 18-day hike expedition in the Gila Wilderness, Sonoran Year students transitioned to climbing camp at Cochise Stronghold.  Spirits are high at Cochise, as well as along the Rio Grande and deep within a remote cave, where Fall Semester students continue to hone their leadership skills.   

Down here at the NOLS Southwest, course transitions are sometimes referred to as a “road show.”  We accomplish the gear swapping, equipment cleaning, laundry washing, and first-showers-in-weeks at a host location.  As you can well imagine, said location will inevitably be graced with the presence of a very special blend of dirt, odor, and, of course, energetic students.

For several years now, we have been grateful guests of the Silver City KOA, where we regularly manage such "road show" transitions.  Jackie Blurton, who owns and runs the campground with her husband, Jim, truly rolls out the red carpet for us.  We consistently arrive to smiles from campground staff and even a signboard that reads “Welcome NOLS.” Jackie has become famous with both instructors and students for her stuffed French toast and her above and beyond hospitality.  Jackie, herself an avid backcountry traveler, has become an important part of a Southwest course. 

On behalf of all of us:  Thank you Jackie (above, left) and everyone at the Silver City KOA! 

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Reflections on the Moon Landing, Spice Kits

There is only one word capable of accurately describing what, exactly, is happening here at the NOLS Southwest:  renaissance. 

The historical significance of this unique period is difficult to grasp; we’ve thus assembled a team (me) to begin documenting everything (pictures, really), which will be analyzed, researched, and sent to institutions adorned with thick ivy walls where scholars, aided with microscopes and full encyclopedia sets, will sift through each written word, each pixel of visual information, and make something really important, like a DVD.

In short, we’ve held long, heated debates in the grand hall (kitchen) regarding the historical integrity of the moon landing (and this was prior to NASA blowing up part of it this week).  We’ve studied ‘noodlin’ – a method of removing catfish from a river with your bare hands – by way of laptop video.  We even welcomed in a new student, Saxon Boswell, who is an actual noodler (an appreciative moment of silence, please).    

Most importantly, we’ve sent off this fall’s Sonoran Year course.  Twelve students entered the Gila Wilderness on October 6^th, along with instructors Nick Storm and Lisa Bauer. 

After a busy day sifting through gear and preparing hundreds of pounds of field rations, the course arrived at two conclusions: 

1.     Every ounce counts.  NOLS Southwest continues teaching students the finer points of lightweight backcountry travel.  Cutting weight while maintaining essentials pays off in the field, as students are by now fully aware.

2.  How do you define a spice?  Solving this riddle, student Claire Kane Boychuk declared:  “it depends on the weight to performance ratio.”  Essentially, if a very small amount of any given food item delivers an impressive punch to the pallet, you’ve got a spice.  Well said.

As Sonoran Year students began their adventure into the Gila last Tuesday, Fall Semester students transitioned to a climb camp at Cochise Stronghold.  Another Fall Semester course continues its caving section, and hot weather has again pressed itself across the arid landscapes here in the southwest.  

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October Rain and Transitions in the Southwest

The first cool rain of the season has fallen across the desert here in Tucson, reminding us of mornings past, waking to our tent homes encased in a symphony of droplets.  Right now, we know our students are enjoying the same as they continue along in their own adventures.

Today, Fall Semester students are either wrapping up a hiking section, and beginning their first day of caving camp, or nearing transition to a climbing section.   We are thrilled for the coming arrival of Sonoran Year students, set to begin their program in a few short days.  Here at the branch, we’re busy preparing rations and re-organizing gear, excited that fall has fully descended across the Southwest.    

In other news, branch staff put some muscle into a few campus improvements last week—adding shaded campsites for instructors in the Governor’s Lot and making window upgrades to our on-site housing. 

This week, instructors gathered for an excellent seminar on diversity, lead by the Southwest's very own Ryan Hutchins-Cabibi and Lander's Kary Sommers, who came down from NOLS headquarters to be with us.  NOLS instructors left thrilled to be working on a school-wide diversity and inclusion initiative, which aims to increase the diversity of staff, faculty, and students.  

Wherever you are, we hope you are enjoying this wonderful fall season!

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NOLS Southwest at Summit Hut Outdoor Expo

NOLS Southwest staff recently spent a sunny Tucson weekend at the Summit Hut spring sale and Outdoor Expo.  Summit Hut is a NOLS Preffered Retailer with friendly, skilled staff who love to help folks get outdoors.

NOLS Southwest has long had a fun and interactive relationship with Summit Hut, often attending the annual used gear swap meet and now the outdoor expo.  Southwest Director Janeen Hutchins, Assistant Director Scott Christy, and Special Projects Manager Ryan Hutchins-Cabibi spent two days sharing information with a broad group of outdoor recreationists and networking with other local non-profits.

"Summit Hut began its entry into the outdoor retail industry modestly in 1967 when two fifteen year-old friends, Jeff Conn and Summit Hut, Ltd. President, David Baker, collaborated to offer a special order service for Tucsonans who desired backpacking and mountaineering equipment. The boys conducted business from their bedrooms and stored the inventory under their beds. In 1968 David, a senior in high school, bought out Jeff's interest in the company and rented a 150 square foot room attached to a small bicycle shop across the street from their high school.

As an independent Tucson, Arizona based business, the Summit Hut actively supports local, state and regional outdoor recreation related causes and events to the best of our ability. We feel it is our obligation, as an outdoor retailer, to do our part in maintaining the very land that allows our business to exist."

We were excited to watch Dave Baker, Summit Hut President present an excellent clinic on lightweight backpacking techniques, and to get upclose and personal with some raptors from the local animal rescue program.

With deals on gear, onsite coffee and tri-tip BBQ, afun and diverse group of local non-profits and of course your friendly Neighborhood NOLS Staff, this event was great fun!

A huge Thanks to all the Summit Hut employees for running a great Expo and inviting us to attend, We look forward to being a part of this great Tucson event in the future!

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The cleaners

The cleaners
Originally uploaded by RyanHC

Looking straight out of the old west NOLS Southwest Sonoran Year students strike a pose in front of the official adopt-a-roadway sign for the NOLS section of North Soldier Trail near the NOLS Southwest base in Tucson, Arizona.

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Thumbs Up

Thumbs Up Originally uploaded by RyanHC Students and NOLS Southwest staff teamed up to apply their Leave No Trace (LNT) Ethics to the front country by participating in a bi-annual clean up of N. Soldier Tr. in Tucson AZ.

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NOLS Adopt-a-roadway

 

NOLS Southwest along with students from the Sonoran Year program took some time this morning to pick up roadside trash along North Soldier Trail in Tucson.  The NOLS Southwest base is located on North Soldier Trail and NOLS Southwest has been adopting this stretch of roadfor many years.  Donning Orange safety vests and gloves, staff and students set out to pick up any trash we could find along the road.  When we were done, we had a vote on the craziest most bizarre item found.

Items nominated for most bizarre item were:

NOLS Adopt-a-roadway
Originally uploaded by RyanHC

Guitar
Toaster oven
Batmobile
Donald Duck head
Fuzzy Duck Sticker
Can on a Stick
Air Filter
Emergency contraceptive & Pregnancy test
Just married sticker
2 Dirty movies
Metal pole with spoon attached
$1 in Monopoly money

Once the votes were tallied, it was clear that Drew Seitz, proctor extrodinaire had found the most bizzare and random item...

The Batmobile!

We congratulate Drew on his thorough collection of roadside debris and his keen eye for the bizarre.

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