To GoLite or not to GoLite? That is the question.
Some scream yes, some still say no, but here is some food for
thought. NOLS has the longest running lightweight backpacking program
in the
world. NOLS Southwest and NOLS Rocky Mountain are currently the only
bases at the school running lightweight courses. The upcoming seminar
in February 2010 will help field instructors become more familiar with
lightweight gear
and rations.
Instructors will explore and weigh new gear as they
prepare to test it in the field. GoLite provided gear for instructors
to use on the course to help further lighten packs. Throughout the
lightweight seminar instructors will work with GoLite’s gear and later
provide product feedback on its performance.
February 2010 marks the start of the second Southwest Semester course.
The Southwest Semester II will start off course with their wilderness
first aid section. Students will learn everything from CPR to acute
mountain sickness (AMS). The group then heads out to the Galiuros
Wilderness in the Coronado National Forest, about 3 hours northwest of
Tucson. Throughout this section students will learn the intricacies of
backcountry living and navigation. Before heading out students prepare
by creating rations, packing gear and studying the upcoming areas maps.
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