Articles

Thanks to the Rothberg-Birdwhistell Exploration Fund for NOLS Instructors, John Sims and Brian Sarge set out in the spring of 2023 to climb Mt. Fairweather's Carpe Ridge in Alaska.

During the summer of 2023, NOLS instructor and PhD candidate Emma Erwin led a scientific expedition in the high peaks of Denali National Park to help characterize the behavior and age of glaciers on Denali and Begguya (Mt. Hunter). This all-female expedition navigated a season of challenging weather to come away with an exciting new scientific data set from the summit plateau of Begguya.

On a paddling trip in Big Bend National Park, a participant starts having leg spasms. What do you do?

What is packrafting? Learn the unique history of this adventure sport and what makes it so awesome for exploring water and land!

A student gets a hot water burn deep in the backcountry. What do you do?

What would you do to help a patient with hypothermia while winter camping?

NOLS had the opportunity to chat with Roberto Canessa, one of the survivors of the Andes plane crash in 1978.

Learn the essentials of skiing for beginners. Your guide to skiing terms, gear, and techniques for backcountry adventures.

Learn more about the team behind NOLS Alumni Trips.

A skier hits a terrain feature and goes flying. They land hard and don't immediately reply when you ask if they are ok. How do you respond?

Thanks to three anonymous donors, NOLS has secured $4 million in new support. These gifts will be used to match every dollar donated up to $4 million.

Enhance your outdoor organization's risk culture with NOLS. Learn the importance of sound incident reporting and effective risk management processes for safer, enriching adventures.

Explore gap year scholarships, financial aid, and other funding options. Invest in your future today with NOLS.

Test your wilderness medicine skills with this case study! You are guiding a 7-day wilderness trip. One of your participants, Stan, is an insulin-dependent diabetic. At 5am, Stan's tentmate wakes you up saying, 'Stan is really sick.'

Learn rock climbing techniques, leadership, and teamwork through trust, self-awareness, and effective communication with NOLS.

NOLS gap year travel programs blend adventure, experiential education, leadership, environmentalism, and cultural immersion for a life-changing experience.

Learn how to apply to college after a gap year with NOLS for a standout application showcasing growth and skills.

Rock Climbing for Beginners with NOLS - Learn the basics and embrace personal growth, environmental stewardship, and leadership while climbing in breathtaking locations.

Explore NOLS Outdoor Rock Climbing Courses, where you'll gain essential climbing skills, develop leadership abilities, foster environmental stewardship, and immerse yourself in breathtaking landscapes!

Discover gap year benefits and get tips to support your child's gap year decision with insights from a parent's perspective.

Two days into a picture-perfect autumn backpacking trip in the Wind River Mountains, your companion slips and falls on rocky terrain. His chief complaint: pain in his swollen and tender knee. You’re at mile 5 of a planned 20-mile loop. What do you do?

Interview with NOLS Alumni Trip leader, Sam Talucci

Storks, sardines, and sand! A behind the scenes look at a recent Alumni trip: hiking Portugal's Fishermen's Trail.

Asking yourself, "Why take a gap year?" NOLS has 8 answers to that question that will help you take the plunge toward a truly transformative gap year!