For hikers who are wondering “why no one wants to follow me anymore,” NOLS Field Instructor and Research Manager Shannon Rochelle recently shared some leadership advice with Backpacker. Pitfalls range from failing to get the group’s buy-in to being a cheerleader rather than a hike leader—but luckily, adjusting your leadership approach can make a big difference.
The Casper Star Tribune reports that this year's Run the Red race, sponsored by NOLS, Patagonia, and others, will be held on September 28, Wyoming’s first Public Lands Day. Runners can choose between a half marathon, 45 km, or 120 km course in the Red Desert, starting and finishing in South Pass City.
Field & Stream recently sought Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson’s advice on choosing a campsite. Whether you’re car camping or backpacking, Johnson recommends taking possible weather events into account, resisting the urge to violate Leave No Trace practices, and knowing how to set up your shelter before heading out.
Dr. Greg Davis, on behalf of the University of Kentucky’s radio station, WUKY, recently interviewed NOLS Wilderness Medicine Instructor Greg Gaskin to learn more about a Wilderness First Responder course held on campus.
In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month this June, The New York Times recognized NOLS and other organizations offering outdoor expeditions for the LGBTQ community. In November 2019, NOLS will offer its first LGBTQ+ affinity expedition: a nine-day backpacking course in Utah’s Canyonlands.
In 1989, NOLS semester grad Lauren Hefferon singlehandedly founded a bike touring company to lead trips across Italy. Today, Forbes reports, Ciclismo Classico is celebrating its 30th anniversary and has expanded to offer a wide variety of trips across Europe. Lauren says it was her NOLS course that inspired her to pursue a life of learning, exploring, and teaching outdoors.
This spring, students and instructors from the University of Wyoming nursing program took a two-day NOLS Wilderness Medicine for the Professional Practitioner course. Participants agreed that the course offered valuable leadership training as well as preparation for providing patient care in resource-limited environments.
After taking a NOLS instructor course in 2016, longtime porter and trekking guide Jagan Timilsina founded the Outdoor Education Project to provide youth in rural Nepal with a pathway toward working in the outdoor industry. Since August 2017, more than 500 local teens have participated in his 10-day basic course—and many of them are now working as professional guides.
Gear Patrol recently consulted Senior NOLS Instructor Marco Johnson for advice on how to pack well for a backpacking trip. His recommendations, based on more than 30 years of experience in the field, include “don’t overpack” and “eat everything you bring.”
In addition to serving as Facebook’s Chief Product Officer for the past 13 years, Chris Cox is also a NOLS semester graduate. He says the lessons he learned about resiliency in Patagonia’s mountains have served him well at Facebook and beyond.