NOLS Alumni Magazine - The Leader Spring 2021 by NOLS

THE

LEADER

NOLS ALUMNI | SPRING 2021 | VOL. 36 NO. 2

FROM THE PRESIDENT

THE LEADER Spring 2021 • Volume 36 • No. 2 Published twice a year in spring and fall.

EDITOR

Anne McGowan DESIGNER

Kacie DeKleine

ne evening last month, I stopped at NOLS headquarters to pick up some paperwork. I noticed a light in the Alumni office and, surprised that anyone else was in the building, I stuck my head into that wing to see who was working. There was Alumni Relations Coordinator Aimee Newson at her computer, hosting an online Alumni Gathering for NOLS grads and friends. These Alumni Gatherings (see the story on page 18) grew out of a desire to connect with you, our alumni, since our always-popular in-person Alumni Reunions had been sidelined by the pandemic. As we recover from our full shutdown and navigate the fiscal and safety challenges it brought, we’re using new approaches to bring back NOLS to an even stronger future. Recovery has not been easy—and it will not be in the foreseeable future— but we find strength and inspiration from our alumni community. If there’s a headline to note, it’s that NOLS is coming back in new and innovative ways. There are courses heading back into the field (including our Custom Education partner Levine Scholars Program, featured on the cover) and into Wilderness Medicine classrooms. Rosters for 2022 courses of all types are filling up earlier than ever. Expedition students are heading into the wilderness from campuses across the globe (the map on page 6 details which campuses are open now and which will reopen soon). Wilderness Medicine is seeing record demand. Some of those Wilderness Medicine courses and the Wilderness Risk Management Conference are being offered online. You can read more about those advances on pages 18 and 25. Much of the credit for the recovery we’ve seen so far lies with generous donors, whose gifts allowed NOLS to keep open the doors to the degree we did. Last December, we closed our most ambitious campaign in NOLS’ 56-year history, a five-year effort to raise $30 million dollars. In 2020, arguably the most challenging fiscal year in recent memory, Step Forward: The Campaign for NOLS finished over our goal and helped us have a successful fiscal year too. Pretty amazing! We reached out and asked for help, and thousands of alumni and friends like you responded. We are beyond grateful. (Learn more about the campaign beginning on page 14). There’s no doubt 2020 was an exceptionally challenging year. Now, almost halfway through 2021, there are still challenges, but we continue to plan and execute for our current students, future students, and the future of NOLS. We are back on the trail and in the classroom with a long way to go—but delighted to be serving students again, and to be sharing the news of our comeback with this community.

Terri Watson NOLS President 2 | THE LEADER

ALUMNI RELATIONS DIRECTOR

Rich Brame NOLS PRESIDENT

Terri Watson EDITORIAL BOARD

Molly Herber

The Leader is a magazine for alumni of NOLS, a nonprofit global school focusing on wilderness skills, leadership, and environmental ethics. It is distributed to NOLS alumni. NOLS graduates receive a free subscription to The Leader for life. The Leader welcomes article submissions and comments. Please address all correspondence to leader@nols. edu or call 1-307-332-8800. Alumni can direct email changes to alumni@nols. edu or 1-800-332-4280. For the most up-to-date information on NOLS, visit www.nols.edu or email info@nols.edu. The Leader is available online at www. nols.edu/leader. Front cover photo: Courtesy of Levine Scholars Program Back cover photo: Matt Hage

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ENGAGE

EXPOSE

Recognize the wild that every person faces

Push people to experience the uncertain

Feedback | Letters to the Editor

Feature | Why I Began Donating to NOLS Immediately After My Course

NOLS in Action | What Does the New U.S. Administration Mean for Public Lands?

Feature | A Long Hike Out

Featured Location | These NOLS Campuses are Open!

Feature | Creative Ways NOLS Pivoted During COVID

Staff Profile | Katie Baum Mettenbrink

Alumni Profile | Zaid Abougamer

Cover Story | Lessons Learned: Levine Scholars Share Their NOLS Experience

Alumni Profile | Dori Bergman

EDUCATE

Alumni Trips | Backpacking Italy’s Alps Sea Kayaking Along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast

Featured Course | Year in the U.S.

Alumni in Action | From Wall Street to Wellness

Research | Stay or Go? Fast or Slow?

Recognition | Grad Sara Souza Receives 2020 Charles “Reb” Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award

Curriculum | Not Just an Outdoor School

How To | 5 Steps to Plan A Camping Menu

How To | Leave No Trace: Myths to Avoid

Poetry | “After the Before”

Book Review | A Window to Heaven by Patrick Dean

Gear Review | Gaia GPS

Nutrition | Donna’s Hash Brown Fritters

Teach the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate uncertainty

NOLS.EDU | 3

ENGAGE

FEEDBACK

Letters to the Editor In the spring 2020 issue of The Leader, I read an article reminiscing about the fitting of the boots in the Lumberyard written by Henry Taves. This sounded very familiar, as I was on the Wind River Expedition course in 1971 with him! On the first student led expedition, or hike, I was the leader and Henry was the guide. He was a good guide, and always solid and reliable in demeanor. At the Lumberyard, in 1971, our NOLS instructors examined our belongings. I really liked to fish, and I had brought a jar of “Uncle Josh’s” minnows. The instructor Pat asked “Is that your lunch?” And I had never heard of gaiters, which were OK’d on the list but not required, so I asked what this was about having “garters”? That caused some snickers and laughs. Little things back in the day: my mother chuckled when she read that we had to wear boxer shorts only. And it called for not bringing soap, but “FELS is okay.” It specified goldline rope at that time, but said that “but Perlon is OK.” When we arrived at the Lumberyard, Paul Petzoldt was there examining each one of us as we got off the bus, as if we were new army recruits. I was the only one dressed in sports jacket and tie (per parents’ direction), and I was self-conscious, Paul said, “Don’t look so serious!”

Paul and his teachings have been the best I’ve found anywhere, and 50 years later I still wear wool all the time in the winter. But never again have I chosen to wear two pairs of rag socks! My wool-polyester pants at NOLS were Air Force surplus. Now I wear German Army surplus wool-polyester pants in the winter. Course tuition then was around $350.

Thank you for the review of Musa Masala: Mountain Girl of the Himalaya in The Leader. It is a great issue, and we are excited to be a part of it. We appreciate everything, and your kind words about the book. Thanks also to Drew Lefkowith [the review’s author]. As a big fan of NOLS and an always-returning student I am especially happy to see our book in there!

Peter Van Slyke Wind River Wilderness, 1971

Stay safe and healthy. Mike McLaughlin Author and Board President, Musa Masala

________________________________________ Dear NOLS Staff, I really enjoy reading The Leader. As an athletic director, my life has moved away from the world of outdoor education, however I find reading the articles challenges me to reflect on how I can incorporate the lessons of adventure and the outdoors in my athletic program. I appreciate all you do in connecting with your alumni. Keep up the great work. Respectfully, Chris Doutt Spring Semester in Mexico, 2006; Yukon Instructors Course, 2011; Salmon Backpacking and Rafting Adventure, 2013; Wilderness First Responder, 2013

List Your NOLS Experience on LinkedIn! Did you know you can list your NOLS experience, including courses and certifications, on your LinkedIn profile? Include NOLS in the education section of your profile to show employers your leadership and team experience.

4 | THE LEADER

_______________________________________ Thank you for going digital only! Save the environment! Diane R. _______________________________________ Thanks for putting this together—loved the in-memoriam sections and the content pieces were also refreshing to read. Thanks all! Yow Feng NOLS Instructor

ENGAGE

NOLS IN ACTION

What Does the New U.S. Administration Mean for Public Lands? By Alan Rogers Wyoming Outdoor Council Communications Director

he crown jewels of America’s public lands are, of course, our national parks. In the western United States, icons like Yellowstone and Arches attract millions of visitors per year. But these overcrowded natural wonders are just a small portion of our federal public lands that allow boundless opportunities for outdoor recreation while also sustaining wildlife, sensitive ecosystems, unique geology, and historic and cultural sites—as well as local economies. In recent years, these values of our public lands have been largely disregarded to promote more oil and gas leasing. Millions of acres were leased for development in a short span of time, including some of our most important wildlife habitat and areas that are far better suited to hunting, fishing, hiking, or camping. The Bureau of Land Management has also quietly eliminated protections for fish and wildlife, cultural sites, and scenic landscapes when revising land use plans. It goes without saying that the transition to the Biden presidency was dramatic, and the new approach to public lands management is no exception. There are indications the administration will champion reforms to the oil and gas leasing program, which is decades out of date. And in Wyoming and other Western states, the commitment to put people to work fighting climate change will hopefully yield on-the-ground projects to improve access to recreation, mitigate invasive grasses that fuel wildfires and crowd out native plants and wildlife, and reclaim areas previously scarred by development. That’s not to say there won’t be challenges ahead. For example, it’s likely that under an administration friendly to renewable energy we may see rushed attempts to develop poorly-sited wind and solar projects on public lands. Here in Wyoming, we have 30 million acres of federal public lands—slightly under

Public lands provide exceptional opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Kirk Rasmussen

half of the state’s total surface. As many NOLS alumni know, this provides amazing opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. In 2019, outdoor recreation added $1.7 billion to Wyoming’s economy, generated $514 million in tax revenue for the state and local communities, and supported 21,000 jobs. None of this is insignificant for a state that is both the least populous in the nation and economically dependent on the declining fossil fuel industry. Outdoor recreation won’t singlehandedly rescue Wyoming’s economy. But spending time (and money) in the outdoors—and being good stewards of public lands for future generations—can help bring balance to our communities. Public lands make Wyoming unique, from the peaks of the Wind River Range to

the endless expanse of the Northern Red Desert. They’re why millions of people from across the country flock here each year. And they’re why a lucky few, like me, choose to call this special place home. The Wyoming Outdoor Council is the state’s oldest and largest independent conservation group. Our mission is to defend public lands, wildlife, and clean air and water—and empower citizens to do the same. Join us at www.wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org. Alan Rogers lives in Casper, Wyoming, where he and his family hike, camp, hunt, and enjoy our public lands. He is the Wyoming Outdoor Council’s communications director.

NOLS.EDU | 5

Henri Marius

While many NOLS locations were shuttered 15 months ago—either temporarily or permanently—we are pleased to announce that many have either reopened or will reopen as conditions allow, and are again serving as bases for courses. Which are open or plan to be? This map answers your questions.

NOLS SCANDINAVIA NOLS ALASKA

NOLS PACIFIC NORTHWEST

NOLS NORTHEAST

NOLS RIVER BASE NOLS SOUTHWEST NOLS ROCKY MOUNTAIN NOLS MEXICO NOLS TETON VALLEY NOLS THREE PEAKS RANCH NOLS WYSS CAMPUS

NOLS INDIA

NOLS EAST AFRICA

OPEN NOW OPENING FALL 2021 OPENING SPRING 2022

NOLS PATAGONIA

TO BE DETERMINED

WILDERNESS MEDICINE QUIZ QUESTION | How many students have been educated at the Wyss Campus since its opening in November 2012? a) Fewer than 1000 c) 2501-4000 Answer on page 31

6 | THE LEADER

b) 1001-2500 d) More than 4000

NOLS NEW ZEALAND

ENGAGE

STAFF PROFILE

Katie Baum Mettenbrink

By Anne McGowan Development Communications Coordinator An Outdoors Career In 2008, Katie moved to NOLS’ Alaska campus in a program supervisor position, then to NOLS Headquarters in 2010, focusing on staffing, risk management curriculum, and consulting. Recently, she pivoted to the role of associate director of operations. “I work with our teams at campus locations to support expedition courses and juggle the many other things that happen on a NOLS campus. Our global operations teams run businesses, supervise instructors, welcome and care for students, do public policy work, design curriculum, and respond to emergencies, all in service of exceptional student experiences.” Katie Baum Mettenbrink expected work in the outdoors would supplement other jobs. Courtesy of Katie Baum Mettenbrink

atie Baum Mettenbrink learned about NOLS through a college outdoors program, but bounced around at other jobs before she found her future at the school. Katie, now NOLS’ associate director of operations and an instructor, taught fifth graders and worked on a political campaign after college. But in all that time, the outdoors was calling. “I thought working in the outdoors in the summer could supplement teaching or other work,” she recalled. “Instead, I participated in a 2003 NOLS Instructor Course and fell in love with the school. I went back to Oregon, packed my stuff, moved to Lander and got a storage unit in NOLS’ Noble Hotel.”

The Effect of the Pandemic The global pandemic has presented Katie, like most folks, with both opportunities and challenges in her work. “Most challenges are obvious,” Katie said. “As COVID-19 evolves, our response and operations have had to evolve too. International borders, local regulations, testing, medical, masks and other mandates, federal land-management permit status— they change. Even the static stuff isn’t static anymore.” An opportunity? More communication with students, she said. “We connect with much more depth regarding what their course will be like. We now have pre-course webinars, for example. Not just regarding COVID protocols, but other stuff, too— expedition behavior, what to expect—so students are better prepared and ready for

their course. COVID has also created pressure to do more to support instructors, and that has led to important changes.” Reimagining the Future For Katie, the last year has also given NOLS, and herself, an opportunity to reimagine what the school can be. The notion of breaking down some of it and rebuilding holds a lot of promise, she said. “NOLS is an outlet for a really challenging, in-person human experience,” Katie mused. “Combining incredible wilderness, great colleagues, and motivated students creates magical and powerful experiences, maybe even more so right now. Holy smokes! People around the world are hungry for human connection and shared experiences!” “Sticking Around” for 18 Years It’s Katie’s belief in the transformative power of a NOLS experience, as well as the NOLS community, that have kept her at the school for almost two decades. “There are incredibly talented, hardworking, mission-driven people with heart and passion at NOLS,” Katie said. “I’ve seen the school change a lot in my time here. I’m inspired by the people who love what we do and who are advocating for NOLS to be better. I hope to stick around and help to do that.” Anne McGowan grew up camping and hiking with her family in Pennsylvania. She followed her love of words and books to a career in writing.

WILDERNESS QUIZ QUESTION | The Wilderness Act of 1964 defined the word Wilderness in the United States and protected 9.1 million acres of land (now 109.5 million). The act took 8 years and over 60 drafts before passing the Senate first and the House of Representatives about a year later. How many of the 375 members of the House of Representatives voted against this landmark piece of legislation? Answer on page 31

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ENGAGE

ALUMNI PROFILE

Zaid Abougamer

By Caroline Dooley NOLS Grad

“I thought leadership meant management, but really, it means understanding yourself. It wasn’t until I got to NOLS that I began asking, ‘Who am I? Where am I going?’”

ith an Arabic family name that translates to Mr. Moon, Zaid Abouqamar has long been inspired by space. He feels at home in the unknown. Whether he’s pitching a tent in Wyoming or working as an aircraft engineer for Qatar Airways, Zaid enjoys a challenge. A 30-year-old Qatari, Zaid was born a Palestinian refugee and raised in Qatar. Due to his family’s status, he wasn’t eligible to leave the country. “As a refugee, you’re told you will never be able to travel.” Zaid said. “So, I learned skills that would grant me a career where I could travel.” Zaid taught himself how to code in multiple programming languages, attended Al Jazeera media trainings, earned degrees in mechanical engineering, and landed a job as a Senior Aircraft Structures Development Engineer at Qatar Airways. Today, his job enables him to travel every month. Instead of traveling for leisure, Zaid decided to utilize traveling to continue his personal and professional development. In 2019, he made his way to the Wind River Range in Wyoming to take a NOLS Executive Leadership Expedition course. The weeklong course, which develops leadership among professionals, pushed Zaid out of his comfort zone. Not only had he never opened a sleeping bag or set up a tent, but Zaid hadn’t confronted the big questions that the course pushed him to consider.

“I thought leadership meant management, but really, it means understanding yourself,” Zaid reflected. “It wasn’t until I got to NOLS that I began asking, ‘Who am I? Where am I going?’” For Zaid, the answers to these questions circulated largely around his identity as a refugee. “In Qatar I am considered a Qatari. But anywhere else, it’s up to the person I am dealing with to determine my identity. To them, I may be a Palestinian, or an Egyptian. In a few cases, my papers are not recognized at all.” That’s one reason Zaid is so drawn to space. “Up there, no one can say, ‘You’re this or you’re that.’ It’s a frontier that’s not easily reachable, so everyone is on the same playing field.” NOLS pushed Zaid to think deeply not only about his nationality, but about his decision-making skills. “Growing up as a refugee, I didn’t have any option but to take all the options,” he reflected. Before NOLS, Zaid considered himself a smart decision maker. But when he had to determine a hiking route or a lunch stop, Zaid noticed he struggled to make decisions for the group. “Now, I notice that decision paralysis coming on,” Zaid said. “I’m more likely to gather information from my environment before making a decision.” Zaid is one of the first people from the Arabian Gulf states to take a NOLS course. He didn’t know anything about Wyoming when he booked his trip. “I can’t believe people are missing out on this,” Zaid remarked. “It takes a person coming from the other side of the world to remind people how special NOLS is.” Caroline “Cal” Dooley is a writer and NOLS Alaska grad from the San Francisco area. When not leading backpacking trips, she runs, journals, and drinks tea.

Zaid and instructor Lynn Petzold, with coursemates and a llama behind them. Tom Johnson

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ENGAGE

ALUMNI PROFILE

Dori Bergman

By Dori Bergman NOLS Grad What were some of your outdoor experi- Tell us more about your artwork, your ences when you were young? How did you inspiration, and what you hope your folfind NOLS? lowers and fans get from your work? My mom would take my sisters and me on mother-daughter trips, and we each got to choose whatever we wanted to do. I always chose camping in the Adirondacks because I loved the little toads and lizards. This sparked my lifelong love for the outdoors. I was 17 when I went on a NOLS course in Alaska, and right away I was hooked. This was followed by courses at NOLS Rocky Mountain and NOLS Pacific Northwest. I then went on to work for NOLS Northeast as an intern!

I paint about women in the outdoors, with a focus on mental health. I have a bachelor’s degree in Wilderness Therapy and a master’s in Outdoor Education, so you will see both of these carried over into my work. I have painted about empathy, connection, fear, failure, gratitude, vulnerability, self-compassion, perseverance, minimalism and more. I hope people feel something when they look at my artwork. Essentially, all of my paintings are inspired by NOLS and similar experiences What were the biggest takeaways from in the wilderness! A lot of my art appears on my site myoutdoorart.com. your time at NOLS? One of the biggest takeaways I got from What is your advice for artists looking to NOLS was the immense value in taking start or improve their outdoor-themed risks. I remember hunkering down on artwork? the Maclaren Glacier, getting lost in the Paint from your own experiences. I think Beartooths, and being pelted with giant that is where the magic happens! balls of hail in the Pasayten Wilderness. I remember thinking, “This is it: this is how Dori Bergman paints about women I am going to die.” But do you know what’s in the wilderness, with a focus funny? Those were the times when I felt on mental health and using the outdoors to help people. most alive. Another is the importance of community. On all three of my NOLS courses, I felt a sense of belonging that I’ve never experienced elsewhere. I also found unparalleled mentorship. One day, I would like to be a role model for others like so many were to me. And lastly, leadership. So many people believe they do not have what it takes to be a leader. But NOLS taught me that leadership is a set of skills that can be learned. It was on my last course that I truly began to feel like a leader.

“I remember thinking, ‘This is it: this is how I am going to die.’ But do you know what’s funny? Those were the times when I felt most alive.”

Dori’s paintings reflect women in the outdoors. Courtesy of Dori Bergman

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ENGAGE

ALUMNI TRIPS

Backpacking Italy’s Alps–Gran Paradiso Sea Kayaking Along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast As we continue to look forward into a post-vaccine world, we are optimistic that a return to responsible international travel will be in all of our futures. Our Alumni trips will only proceed if NOLS believes that the trips can run in a manner that will manage risk to our participants and our hosting areas. We are cautious, but optimistic for the future and hope that you join us in those sentiments.

Rich Brame

NOLS Alumni Online Engagement To help you stay connected to your NOLS family, we’re thrilled to be hosting a variety of Zoom events each month. No matter where you are in the world, we hope you’ll join us online for one (or all!) of these online gatherings. Enjoy campus tours, trip-specific reunions, leadership mini-classes, adventure storytelling, skills refreshers, interactive chats with NOLS leadership, and more. Watch the Events page for new offerings and sign up to join the fun: www.nols.edu/events. All are welcome!

Backpacking Italy’s Alps–Gran Paradiso Date | Aug 18-26, 2021 Cost | $3,195 This formidable pilot trip in Grand Paradiso National Park is steeped in history and beauty. Starting and ending in Turin, we’ll backpack between inns across steep valleys. Light packs allow for more mileage each day. This hike is challenging and should only be attempted by those who have a high level of fitness and endurance. Non-alumni friends and family are invited! Moderate

See this course online

Travis Welch

Difficult

Lots of elevation gain and long days make this a very challenging trip.

Sea Kayaking Along Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast Dates | September 21-28, September 30-October 7 Cost | $2,395 Paddle Croatia’s Elaphiti Island Archipelago and make nightly stops at guesthouses in picturesque villages. Sea kayaking and exploring the scenic southern Croatian coastline offers opportunities to indulge in traditional Adriatic culture and culinary specialties. You’ll also develop and practice technical paddling and rescue skills in the area’s renowned turquoise seas.

See this course online

10 | THE LEADER

Moderate

Difficult

Guesthouse lodging means light gear, but paddling on windy days and carrying boats takes effort.

FEATURED COURSE

Year in the United States

OLS’ Year in the United States course is one of the longest, most varied, and most ecologically-diverse NOLS courses to date—and it was born out of necessity. In summer 2020, interest in NOLS courses rose to unprecedented levels, as students sought alternatives to college campuses or virtual education. These were in addition to students who’d already planned to incorporate a NOLS course into their gap year. Fall semester courses filled at record speeds, and waitlists grew into triple digits. Meanwhile, a number of fall courses had to be canceled in 2020 when it became clear that travel restrictions would prevent operations at non-U.S. NOLS locations. One of the cancelled courses was the Year in Patagonia, at the time our only yearlong program. Something had to be done to provide an analogous experience for these suddenly course-less students, as well as to meet the ever-increasing demand for longer courses. “I was in a meeting on Monday where someone had the idea for a year-long domestic course, and by Friday we were

enrolling,” said Kary Sommers, NOLS Assistant Director of Marketing, remembering the creation of the Year in the United States course. “It was a very quick roll out.” The Year in the United States enrolled at lightning speed as soon as it hit the website. Over 132 field days, divided into fall and spring with a two-week winter break, Year in the United States students travel from the high peaks of Wyoming to the red canyons of Utah, gaining backpacking, canyoneering, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and whitewater skills. Students also earn their Wilderness First Responder certification, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Level 1 Avalanche training. They can earn up to 27 college credits for their participation in the course, making it a great option for students who will go to college in the future, or are already pursuing a degree. The inaugural group of 14 NOLS Year in the United States students went into the field last October and graduated in March, nearly a year to the day of the pandemic’s first anniversary. “The Year in the United States has

been a life changing experience for me,” reflected alumna Brooke Pasmick. “Living in the backcountry so long with thirteen other people changed how I view the world and myself.” Although the NOLS Year in the United States began as a creative solution to a situational challenge, and a course of this length presents many logistical considerations, “it’s not just a placeholder,” Kary said. “We intend to run this course into the future.” The NOLS Year in the United States provides a unique opportunity to explore American wilderness, gain a veritable laundry list of outdoor skills, earn college credit, and build leadership acumen in an immersive and supportive environment. “Getting people outside,” Kary mused, “it’s what we do best.” Kaylan Scott learned this on her 2016 NOLS New Zealand Spring Semester: the outdoors is where it’s at. When not adventuring, you can find her rereading favorite books at home in Portland, Maine with her partner and two cats.

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Matt Hage

By Kaylan Scott Advancement Stewardship Coordinator

ENGAGE

ALUMNI IN ACTION

From Wall Street to Wellness

By Anne McGowan Development Communications Coordinator

usan Chen believes there is one thing in life that’s certain: change. “The question is this,” she said: “Do we just allow change to happen to us, or do we elegantly coexist with it?” The career trajectory of this four-time NOLS alumna suggests Susan does far more than coexist elegantly with change: she expects it. Graduating from Harvard with a degree in finance—the best path to a career as an entrepreneur, she decided—Susan landed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. There she honed her relationship with change (thanks to daily and sometimes dramatic fluctuations in the market) and resilience. Both, though, were attributes she had already become familiar with on her NOLS Wind River Wilderness course: Determined to rejoin her coursemates after a turned

ankle required she leave the mountains, Susan focused on recovery. After five days of doctor visits, an air cast, a large helping of resolve, and a lot of Aleve, she returned to the wilderness and completed her course. Her acceptance of change and her determination influenced choices in her professional life too. After 14 years on Wall Street as a research analyst, Susan left it behind to pursue dual interests. First, she cofounded Soozy’s Grain Free, a baked goods company, in her New York City apartment. Creating bakery products that are soy, dairy, gluten, and grain-free (along with a half-dozen other specialty products), Soozy’s Grain Free “has the cleanest label in the supermarket!” according to its website. The site recounts the brand’s story, describing how she and her partner “set out to bake the healthiest and tastiest grain-free

baked goods imaginable. Batch after batch, we never settled for anything but the best ingredients and flavors.” Lovers of baked goods can order items delivered to their homes from the website, but Soozy’s cookies, muffins, bagels, donuts, and other products can now also be found at select Whole Foods, Smiths, and Safeway grocery stores. As if starting a company in an apartment wasn’t enough, Susie also pursued her interest in Vedic meditation. In a reaction to feeling “over worked, over traveled, and over stimulated” from life and work in Manhattan, Susan’s meditation studies started in earnest. The practice, sometimes known as Transcendental Meditation, has been practiced for more than 5,000 years and has its origins in ancient India. She recalled that years of accumulated stress began to overshadow feelings of innate bliss and inter-contentedness. But within a short time of learning the Vedic technique, Susan began to feel relaxed and happy in her everyday life again. So, she shares her passion and teaches others in her new home state of California. “I teach Vedic Meditation to show others how to live more blissfully,” Susan said. Susan believes accepting change has led her to a belief in life’s “blissful journey” rather than a specific destination. From her 17-year-old challenges in Wyoming’s mountains with NOLS, to high pressure academia and Wall Street, to building a healthy foods business, to sharing Vedic insights, Susan has embraced her eclectic journey in ways that may inspire us all. Anne McGowan grew up camping and hiking with her family in Pennsylvania. She followed her love of words and books to a career in writing.

Former Wall Street analyst Susan Chen now focuses on wellness. Courtesy of Susan Chen

12 | THE LEADER

ENGAGE

RECOGNITION

Grad Sara Souza Receives 2020 Charles “Reb” Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award

ultiple-time NOLS Wilderness Medicine graduate Sara Souza was named the recipient of the 2020 Charles “Reb” Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award for her significant contributions to the field of risk management in outdoor education and adventure professions. Sara was recognized in a presentation at the 27th annual Wilderness Risk Management Conference, held online from October 19 to 23, 2020. Presented annually since 2006, recipients of the Charles “Reb” Gregg Wilderness Risk Management Award—created in honor

of longtime NOLS board member and legal counsel—are recognized for exceptional leadership, service, and innovation in wilderness risk management. Souza launched a unique field research safety program for the University of California system in 2016 through the U.C. Center of Excellence for Field Safety. This program supports the 41 field stations and reserves that make up the U.C. Natural Reserve System. In her nomination letter, colleagues praised her wide-ranging efforts, including steering committee chair Mike Pigg, who noted, “Sara built from the ground

up a supportive and effective center which serves 10 U.C. campuses. With her help, field researchers in the U.C. system have been prepared to conduct their research in a safe and regulated way during COVID-19.” In her role as a field safety specialist, Sara oversees and provides training across various areas of expertise, from field sciences to wildlife researchers. Her responsibilities range from facilitating forums to providing training and risk management assessments. Sara noted as one accomplishment, “we’ve drastically increased our numbers of researchers taking wilderness first aid—we have hundreds of people getting training every year.” When she evaluated the larger impact of her role and contributions to risk management, Sara emphasized culture and sharing expertise. “I’m trying to create forums where people can come together and talk about all these challenges, and then facilitate people being open to sharing expertise and being candid about things that go wrong,” she said. This way, “a public health researcher working in Tanzania can talk to a wildlife biologist, and their science is different but a lot of the challenges, hazards, and issues they’re facing are similar. I like to think those forums and connections are some of the big successes in our program. Sara’s comments on receiving the award can be viewed online here.

Sara Souza was recognized for her contributions to the field of risk management in outdoor education. Courtesy of Sara Souza

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The Campaign for NOLS Scholarships Awarded

from gifts and endowment proceeds, totaling $6,320,000

New Endowed Scholarships

that fund student tuition in perpetuity

(September 2016 - December 2020) Immediate Support Sustainability Campus Improvements

Cabins at the Wyss Campus

The campaign funded eight cabins for student lodging. This comfortable, energy-efficient, and attractive housing allows us to teach 32 more wilderness medicine students each year.

Gifts

Donors

States

(and D.C., too!)

Countries

EXPOSE

Just over five years ago, NOLS mapped out a bold objective: to raise $30 million by Dec. 31, 2020. Thanks to the generosity of thousands of donors in that half decade, including Skander Spies, whose story is below, we reached that goal. In fact, we exceeded the goal, reaching $31 million within the designated timeline, and in spite of the monumental financial challenges of 2020. Skander explains why lessons learned at NOLS means so much to him that he has donated to NOLS for a decade.

By Skander Spies NOLS Semester in Alaska Grad

Why I Began Donating to NOLS Immediately After My Course

Statistics illustrate the success of Step Forward: The Campaign for NOLS, above, while alumni Skander Spies’ story explains his commitment to philanthropic gifts to the school. Illustration by Kacie DeKleine, photo by Will Covey

14 | THE LEADER

espite solid parenting and a generous community, I grew up with a fierce scarcity mindset. When I got to my NOLS semester in 2007, that meant I was always quick to ration food, negotiate the best side of the tent, or find a way to keep my puffy jacket dry. Living outside though, there is plenty of adversity, and only a little certainty. It started raining the third day of my course and my instructor said, “this is the regular weather here.” My instructors and teammates modeled doing selfless work and “eating your best food first.” Eventually, I learned that

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Unrestricted annual giving provided a pandemic lifeline.

ede”: The Patagonia Classroom

herproof community structure for classes, ings, and wilderness medicine courses.

“While I could save every last dollar for a rainy day, investing in philanthropy reduces the likelihood of those rainy days, and I’m confident that I can weather the uncertainty and adversity of different financial constraints.”

being comfortable with adversity and uncertainty gave me more power than any ration plan or raincoat—the scarcity mindset cracked. All kinds of things on our course didn’t go according to plan, but we figured it out anyway and had an amazing experience doing it. Everything dries, you can stretch a packet of ramen noodles a long way, and being generous is contagious. Fourteen years later, the world needs those same qualities of generosity, flexibility, and self-assurance. In my work as an engineer, I get to solve problems that impact energy use, carbon footprint, and the financial viability of large commercial buildings. Certainty is rare and adversity is a given, but those challenges both keep the work interesting and provide the biggest opportunity for innovation. Similarly, in philanthropy there are always unknowns—if the cause you donate to will have its intended impact, or whether my dollars could be better used supporting my own family directly. I’m not certain I’ll always have a great job or as few other financial commitments. While I could save every last dollar for a rainy day, investing in philanthropy reduces the likelihood of those rainy days, and I’m confident that I can weather the uncertainty and adversity of different financial constraints.

I wasn’t surprised to read about the contraction in NOLS’ activities in response to COVID-19, but I was gutted. Seeing the pandemic and ensuing response reinforced my belief that we need the kind of thoughtful, compassionate leaders who have opinions forged by real experience and thoughtful deliberation of the honest facts. Those leaders are hard to come by, but the NOLS curriculum lays a strong foundation. In a crisis, it’s tempting to give every available dollar towards more immediate local needs, but that approach fails to appropriately value future leadership. It gives me hope to know that I started supporting other leaders 10 years ago because they are starting to show up. If I want great leaders for a pandemic in 2031, then now is the time to invest in training them. Skander Spies, a 2007 Semester in Alaska grad, is a mechanical engineer who designs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, presenting an opportunity to reduce energy in buildings, a major driver of global climate change.

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EXPOSE

A Long Hike Out By Phil DiGirolamo NOLS Wilderness Medicine Grad

NOLS Wilderness Medicine grad Phil DiGirolamo learned an important lesson while hiking with friends in the Sierra Nevada. Beej Jorgensen

16 | THE LEADER

“

here’s your orange?” California Highway Patrol rescue helicopter pilot Jimi Hendrix asked me. I didn’t understand the significance of it at first, but I learned it that day. My friends Tom, Eric and I were backpacking in the Sierra Nevada. A potential snow storm was due to come in that afternoon, so with 10 miles to the trailhead, we started our hike-out early. A mile in, Tom, who was ahead of me, stepped off a granite slab and onto what looked stable, a one-foot diameter rock. The rock twisted underfoot and there was a firecracker explosion. Eric yelled, “What was that?” but I knew instantly—trouble! Tom collapsed, his leg broken. Time for my Wilderness First Responder training. Eric and I sized up the scene: I would take care of Tom, and he would run for help. Help, though, was nine miles to the vehicle, plus another ten to phone reception. We didn’t know what type of help would be available or how and when it might arrive. And the storm was due late in the afternoon. Eric set off running after we assessed and splinted

Tom’s leg and positioned him for the possible onset of shock. I monitored and evaluated Tom. Unfortunately, we were in a rock garden, and keeping him comfortable was problematic. So, we talked: about child rearing, our past adventures, our future desires. Two and a half hours later, with nothing coming our way, I encouraged Tom. We both knew Eric was a terrific runner and could cover the nine miles in no time, even in hiking boots, and we laughed at the idea of him breaking his 10k personal best. Three hours later, I heard a whopping sound. I grabbed my bright blue jacket and ran to a clearing, waving the jacket overhead frantically. Soon, I saw a helicopter circling. Once, twice—and then it started to leave. At the last minute, it swung back and I heard over the loudspeaker, “Looking for a landing spot.” When the pilot found a small clearing on the edge of a lake, I helped the onboard medic run emergency supplies to Tom. The pilot couldn’t risk getting hurt here, so he didn’t help, but Eric showed up in time to help us move Tom to the ‘copter. Round trip for Eric, 18 miles. That’s when Jimi asked me, “Where’s your orange?” He said that even the brightest blue blends in with fall colors. “We were leaving when the medic finally saw you,” he said. “You need to wave something orange for a

pilot to see.” I thought of my orange and grey sleeping bag, stuffed in my backpack, and how it could have prevented the close shave we’d just had. With Tom airlifted to a hospital, Eric and I—one who’d just completed an 18-mile round-trip run in hiking boots, and the other who’d cared for a wounded hiking partner— hiked out, carrying three backpacks. We were worn out. A year later, we returned to the same spot and showed Tom the rock that did him in. He has recovered, runs marathons, and occasionally breaks his personal bests. Eric has completed the Pacific Crest Trail. My wife and I have moved up to Washington state, and I hike there. I haven’t had to use my WFR training in a serious incident since, but I always bring my orange and gray sleeping bag. Because one never knows. Phil DiGirolamo, a former educator and coach who transplanted to Washington from California, became an outdoor instructor for REI after retirement, attending NOLS first responder training.

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EXPOSE

Creative Ways NOLS Pivoted During COVID By Anne McGowan Development Communications Coordinator

The Wilderness Risk Management Conference, previously held annually in person, moved online in 2021 with enthusiastic support from attendees. Illustration by Kacie DeKleine, photo courtesy of Gabi Kilko-Jackson

18 | THE LEADER

n a recent evening at NOLS headquarters, Alumni Relations Coordinator Aimee Newsom closed her computer and smiled. “That was a great group of grads,” she said. “There were 23 participants, all really engaged. And the speaker was terrific!” Aimee was hosting a virtual gathering, one of dozens NOLS has held since last May when it became apparent that, because of the coronavirus pandemic, NOLS’ popular in-person reunions were no longer possible. The first gathering last spring featured a tour of NOLS’ Noble Hotel in Lander, where many alumni have stayed before and after their courses. Since then, topics have included outdoor and wilderness medicine skills, NOLS history, outdoor photography, and chats with the president. “I think graduates and non-grads alike are thankful for the opportunity to connect with NOLS online right now,” Aimee said. “We’ve seen grads, parents of grads, prospective students, and even folks who have only ever heard of NOLS in passing logged in for our events.” Aimee is always looking for speakers, teachers, and experts who love NOLS and are interested in sharing their knowledge online. “We’re open to all sorts of topics and would love to hear from folks who have ideas,” she said.

“I think graduates and non-grads alike are thankful for the opportunity to connect with NOLS online right now. We’ve seen grads, parents of grads, prospective students, and even folks who have only ever heard of NOLS in passing logged in for our events.”

Alumni events, though, are not NOLS’ only online offerings. The Wilderness Risk Management Conference, held in person every year since 1994, moved to an all-online event in 2020. Hosted by NOLS in partnership with Outward Bound, the Student Conservation Association, and the WRMC Steering Committee, the conference provides a forum for outdoor industry professionals to learn and share common practices in wilderness risk management. “The decision to switch to an online conference wasn’t difficult,” said Gabi Kilko-Jackson, NOLS Risk Services Business Manager. “It’s what we had to do. This community has one opportunity a year to gather and discuss risk issues, so we had to find a way to make it happen within the challenges of COVID-19.” The result: the largest-ever turnout for the conference, many from outside the United States. “In a typical year, we have 500 attendees. In 2020, we had 650 for the virtual event,” Gabi said. People who have wanted to attend for years, but were held back because of travel and other expenses, were able to attend virtually. “We were surprised—blown away, really—at how grateful people were that we moved to a virtual conference,” Gabi continued. “Some were struggling with how to get the information they need, not to mention the opportunity to network with each other.”

The 2021 WRMC will again be an online event. While Gabi and the NOLS Risk Services team hope to return to an in-person format in the future, “I think we’ll try to always incorporate an online component,” she said. This year’s conference will run from Oct. 18-22, 2021. Registration opens in June. Other Online Courses • NOLS Risk Management Training for Administrators is offered entirely online. • NOLS Wilderness Medicine offers all-new Wilderness Emergency Management Training, Hybrid Wilderness First Responder recertifications, and Wilderness Medicine Instructor Training courses. See more about this topic in the story on Wilderness Medicine’s hybrid WFR on page 25.

Anne McGowan grew up camping and hiking with her family in Pennsylvania. She followed her love of words and books to a career in writing.

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EXPOSE

Lessons Learned: Levine Scholars Share Their NOLS Experience One Story, Two Perspectives

By Sydney Hartsock NOLS Custom Education Assistant Director and Andrea Badillo-Perez NOLS Grad All photos courtesy of Levine Scholars Program

20 | THE LEADER

The Levine Scholars Program is a partner of NOLS Custom Education. Every summer, the scholars begin their college career with a 25-day NOLS course in the Wind River Mountains. The following stories are written from the perspective of the Levine Scholars Program’s director, and by one of the students after her NOLS experience.

THE DIRECTOR By Sydney Hartsock NOLS Custom Education Assistant Director

iane Zablotsky didn’t start out as a NOLS believer. Diane is the Faculty Director of the Levine Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, a partner of NOLS Custom Education. The Levine Scholars Program, funded by Charlotte-based philanthropists and business people Sandra and Leon Levine, provides full scholarships to select undergraduate students at the university. The association with NOLS is due in part to the influence of Mike Richardson, a 1978 NOLS Absaroka Wilderness course graduate and the Leon Levine Foundation liaison to the scholarship program, who recommended that all scholars be required to take a NOLS course together the summer before their first year. In addition to tuition and expenses, this comprehensive four-year scholarship program covers four summers of experiences intended to develop leadership skills, social awareness, and an international perspective in its scholars. Since the program’s inception in 2010, each cohort of Levine Scholars kicked off their college experience with a 25-day NOLS backpacking expedition. To date, 208 students have completed NOLS expeditions through the program. Given the multitude of experiences Diane could choose to incorporate into the Levine Scholars Program, why send her students all the way to the mountains of Wyoming on a NOLS course? A trip to the majestic Appalachians or the North Carolina coast seemed like excellent candidates, she thought, and both were much closer to home. “I’ve always been honest with the NOLS staff that I was not a believer going in,” Diane said. “And then the students came back.” The transformation was palpable. “I tell the parents—and I believe this because I’ve watched it eleven times—you will see a different child come back to you than you sent to NOLS,” she continued. “There will be an awareness, a self-confidence, a measure of success that they won’t be able to articulate to you but it’s going to be there.” Having observed numerous scholars depart and return from their NOLS expeditions over the past decade, Diane shared her reflections on the student transformations she has witnessed. Four themes stood out:

of leadership they bring back,” Diane reflected. “I think they learn how to listen to who can do what. They learn strong leadership means you bring on the person who has the skills you lack; that makes a stronger team.” • Appreciation for A Non-Linear Path: Students are typically chosen for the Levine Scholars Program based on a history of high achievement, which is often accompanied by perfectionism. Through both their experiences meeting unexpected obstacles during mountain travel and through discussions about life paths with their instructors, scholars are exposed to different ways of viewing success. “The instructors tell these really interesting biographies. And it’s one more example to say to an 18-year-old who’s being brought up in a world that is very linear and has very linear definitions of what success is, that there’s a whole other dimension to happiness and openness and other ways of charting your course,” Diane said. • Getting “Unplugged:” In a world where being ‘unplugged’ is so rare, the NOLS experience provides scholars with a sense of perspective and grounding in the present. Diane explained, “There are certain things that are needs, there are certain things that are wants, and students can now tell the difference. They always promise they won’t plug back in—though they always do—but having that grounding in learning to appreciate what’s in front of you, learning to take it a day at a time, and knowing that other things really are extraneous is another thing they learn at NOLS.”

Above all, Diane found that one data point spoke decisively in favor of the partnership between the Levine Scholars and NOLS. “The feedback from the students was unanimous,” she said. “I’ve watched the students over the years become much more committed to what NOLS gives them. And so, we’ve never looked for an alternative to NOLS. Ever. Because that’s how committed I am to what the NOLS model is.” Long having abandoned her initial skepticism about NOLS, Diane now reflects on the personal growth that she has experienced through interactions with her scholars: “I had to learn how to trust the students, and listen to them in new ways. The fact that they have the shared NOLS expe• Increased Tenacity: Through their experiences at NOLS, the schol- rience and increased awareness, and have developed the ars develop a growth mindset, grounded in the knowledge that they self-confidence to sometimes say to me, ‘you’re not listening accepted a challenge that was harder than they could have imagined to me’. And then for me to have the humility to say, ‘you’re and then persevered. “They reflect on how, ‘at NOLS I didn’t give up. I right, let me try to be better at this…’ I think NOLS is part couldn’t give up. I had trouble learning this skill. I asked for help. I got of their development that has helped me develop, and I’m better at it,’” Diane explained. “I hear time and time again ‘if I can get grateful for that.” through NOLS, I can get through this.’” • Changed Perspective on Leadership: Scholars learn that leadership has many dimensions. A leader doesn’t have to be perfect, know how to do everything, or be the loudest voice in the room. Instead, a leader can be a source of self- and group-awareness, helping the broader team work together to achieve a goal. “I find that collegiality is a kind

Sydney Hartsock has worked as a NOLS field instructor since 2009, leading mountaineering, backpacking, and rock-climbing courses. She is currently the Acting Director of NOLS Custom Education and lives in Lander, Wyoming.

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THE STUDENT

respect for others’ opinions and beliefs is crucial for a productive community. By keeping this phrase in my mind, I learned how to be patient By Andrea Badillo-Perez NOLS Grad and calm when necessary. While making difficult decisions when scouting e saw a bear twice. We forgot how to use our rivers, choosing hiking routes, or even picking who had to get water for a phones. It was magical and unforgettable—it was cook group, I had to overcome frustration by going as a river. my NOLS course. Remember to look up. This was my favorite phrase and the mentality I’d never hiked a day in my life before this trip. I camped I most want to live by for the rest of my life. I put my whole heart into once, two streets down from my house in a friend’s back- following this dogma, and it was the catalyst for the overwhelming abunyard. Does that count? Regardless, it’s clear that in terms dance of laughter, joy, and fun I experienced at NOLS. It’s so easy to get of outdoor skills, I was not prepared. distracted in this world. People are so preoccupied with cell phone screens However, I knew I was physically capable since I’d and social media posts that they forget to just look up. Undoubtedly, there played sports and been active all my life. I was also genu- were moments on my course when I craved my iPhone, but whenever that inely excited to see the beauty of Wyoming’s backcountry. crossed my mind, I looked up. And when I looked up, I rejoiced in the beauty I was aware there were going to be challenges, but I also of nature. knew I would grow. That mentality allowed me to discover Thanks to NOLS and the Levine Scholarship Program, I was able to go for strengths in myself I didn’t know existed. more than three weeks without showering, washing my hair, looking at I can summarize these lessons with three simple phrases: myself in the mirror; without watching television, scrolling through endless Empty your cup. By going in with an acceptance that I feeds of social media—without the only world I knew. I was, instead, surrounded by majestic views of mountains and valhad to learn plenty in order to have a successful trip, I was leys, never-ending fields of flowers, calming bodies of water, and the most able to thrive in circumstances completely foreign to me. beautiful skies. I shared my days with the crispness of backcountry air, the To empty my cup was to have a growth-oriented mindset freshness of unexpected pockets of snow, the warmth of the sun, and the from day one. viridity of trees and plants. There, I found myself more connected to life That’s not to say that I didn’t struggle; I did. The first than ever. I felt my heart pump and my lungs inhale. Nothing about this type time I attempted to build a tent, it took me an hour. The of life was artificial or man-made. Rather, everything was undisturbed, in first time I cooked using a NOLS stove, I burnt the cheesy its purest form, and showed me how human we all are. bagels we were having for breakfast. And, how was my first NOLS helped me become a more patient, resilient, and present indihike? Oh, that was dreadful! Muscles I didn’t even think I vidual. It reminded me of the many wonders that distractions can obscure, had ached. My hips were throbbing and my left shoulder but only if you let them. It showed me how to overcome stress in an effecwas killing me. I was disillusioned with my surprisingly tive manner, how to celebrate diversity, and how to embrace the reality weak level of athleticism. I also couldn’t figure out a map that learning experiences will never cease to exist if you live your life in a for the life of me. Yet, what helped me overcome those and boundless search for them. These are the skills I was gifted by my NOLS many more struggles was this simple phrase: “empty your course, skills I feel grateful to have ingrained in my actions and identity cup.” I had to be conscious of how little I knew about these throughout my time as a Levine Scholar. I wouldn’t have wanted to discover outdoor skills in order to learn and digest them. I had to be them any other way. ready to fail before succeeding.

Go as a river. When you’re in the middle of Wyoming for twenty-three days creating friendships with strangers, you have to follow this rule. It means to cultivate resiliency, inclusiveness, and ease. Because conflict is inevitable,

22 | THE LEADER

Andrea Badillo-Perez is a recent UNC Charlotte graduate who is soon starting medical school at NYU. A Puerto Rican native, she always admired nature, but it was on her NOLS course that her love for the mountains was born.

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STAY OR GO? FAST OR SLOW?

Tools for making an evacuation decision when someone is sick or injured in the outdoors.

STAY OR GO?

Rescuers must evaluate whether a patient can stay in the field (STAY) or if they need to be evacuated from the trip (GO).

Decision-making considerations to STAY

Decision-making considerations to GO

• No threat to life or limb

• Threat to life or limb exists

• Rescuers have necessary training and resources to manage injury or illness in the field

• Rescuers have insufficient training or resources to manage situation independently

• Able to support basic needs of patient and rescuers (food, shelter, hydration)

• Care in the field poses significant risk to patient or rescuers

• Injury or illness will not significantly affect companions or the trip itinerary

• Injury or illness will significantly impact companions or trip itinerary

• Timely recovery is expected with available treatment in the field

• Definitive medical care is needed for patient’s recovery

FAST OR SLOW?

If the patient must leave the field, rescuers must then decide if the situation merits rapid evacuation (FAST) or if the need for evacuation is less urgent (SLOW).

Decision-making considerations for FAST evacuation

Decision-making considerations for SLOW evacuation

• Threat to the patient’s life or limb

• No threat to life or limb

• Rapidly worsening medical situation

• Stable medical situation

• Rescuers do not have training or resources to manage the situation

• Resources are available to medically support the patient during the evacuation

Fast evacuation often involves reporting the situation and urgency of assistance to the outside world and EMS. It can include helicopters, other machine assistance, or additional rescue personnel.

Slow evacuation tends to be self-supported and can involve the patient walking (with or without assistance) or a litter carry.

Notes from NOLS on Evacuation Before leaving on your trip you should know about the local evacuation resources and how to communicate with them if necessary. “Stay or Go? Fast or Slow?” is a tool for organizing decision-making parameters. Many situations will require you to make more nuanced decisions based on situational factors. When considering evacuations, it’s important to remember that your decision-making can evolve over time as you continually monitor your patient and assess the situation.

As always, reading is no replacement for formal training. Only provide care within the scope of your training.

Continue learning about evacuation guidelines and decision-making with nols.edu/wilderness-medicine 24 | THE LEADER

EDUCATE

CURRICULUM

Not Just an Outdoor School

By Travis Welch Alumni Programs Coordinator and Instructor

t its heart, NOLS is an outdoor school. Our teachings have historically been delivered by passionate educators in classrooms and the wilderness. But that’s changing. The pandemic has pushed all of us to explore our learning edges, and NOLS is embracing the opportunity to connect with more and different people through digital delivery systems. An increased need for continuing education became apparent last spring when thousands of grads were not able to re-certify their Wilderness Medicine certifications due to class cancellations. The solution was not simple, but it was elegant. NOLS built a free online continued learning platform for anyone who would like to join it. This platform uses videos, articles, slideshows, case studies, and practice tests to help participants recall existing knowledge and to refresh them on curriculum changes. It is self-guided and self-paced and has become very popular since its launch last June. The key differentiator: when compared to past digital resources, it’s organized to be easily navigated.

Back in 2013, NOLS launched a hybrid Wilderness First Responder Recertification course, a combination of online and in-person learning. While not appropriate for all cases, it’s become popular because of the shorter time needed for in-person learning. With increased acceptance of online learning, we pushed forward, creating a hybrid Wilderness First Responder course. The NOLS Hybrid Wilderness First Responder course blends online and in-person learning. Students have three weeks to complete 30-45 hours of online education before attending five in-person days to complete the course. This provides a shorter in-person experience while also creating the appropriate depth of knowledge important for this certification. This new course launched in May. While we will keep our bias towards fully in-person education intact, we’re very excited to expand our offerings. We haven’t spent all of our time focusing on external products, though! Internally, NOLS has been using similar digital platforms to provide continuing education to

our faculty. These vary between self-paced exercises and live training or forums. We now understand the power of bringing together people from all over the world in these digital formats to retain community, spread education, and see smiling faces. Worth a special mention are two donors who have funded NOLS’ expansion into digital content and hybridized products. Without generous philanthropic support, this project would have been harder to achieve during a time of financial stress. You’ll likely see more digital presence from NOLS. Many lessons still need to be learned, but we’re excited to integrate this style of education into the broad suite of methods NOLS has developed to be “the leading source of outdoor skills and leadership that serve people and the environment.” Travis Welch, NOLS’ Alumni Programs Coordinator, hails from Austin, Texas. His spirit animal is a sea otter, which makes sense considering the weeks he has accrued on the water for NOLS.

The NOLS Hybrid Wilderness First Responder course blends online and in-person learning. Kirk Rasmussen

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EDUCATE

HOW TO

5 Steps to Plan A Camping Menu Adapted from the NOLS Blog

ne of the critical elements of a great camping trip is good food. If you’re looking to add a little creativity to your diet or save money, try planning your own menu based on foods you can find in your pantry or at the grocery store. Follow these 5 steps to plan the menu for your next camping trip!

A good meal plan ensures happy campers. Mauricio Clauzet

26 | THE LEADER

pounds per person per day. Roughly 3,000-3,500 calories per person. • Cold weather, more strenuous (carrying heavy packs in spring or fall weather): 2.0-2.5 pounds per person per day. Roughly 3,500-4,500 calories per person. • Extremely cold weather, very strenuous (winter camping): 2.0-2.5 pounds per person per day. Roughly 4,0005,000 calories each. Carrying the right amount of food is critical for avoiding food stress as well as carrying unnecessary items. 4. Make a list and go shopping. Use the weights on the product’s packaging to determine how much weight per serving you need. If you’re repackaging at home from a bulk purchase, your measuring cups will help you estimate portions (again, this is not an exact science). “Shopping” should start in your own kitchen. You may find the basics, such as oil and seasonings, in your pantry. 5. Repackage, prep, and pack your food. Repackaging food is great way to determine portion sizes ahead of time, avoid creating trash that you’ll have to pack out when the trip is over, and make sure everything is in a durable, easy-to-pack container. Pasta boxes, for example, take up a lot of room in a pack. NOLS often uses durable plastic bags to repackage food, since they’re waterproof and easy to repurpose as food gets eaten. Make sure to label food that’s easy to mix up. You can even pre-mix meals or snacks, like brownie mix or instant oatmeal with dried fruit.

1. Determine how many meals you’ll need. First, consider how long you’ll be on your trip. Will you eat breakfast at home before you leave, or will you need to pack a hasty breakfast to eat on the way? Planning ahead helps make sure you don’t miss any meals and bring the right amount of food. 2. Decide which food you’d like to eat at each meal. Figure out the meals you want, then plan backwards and list out the ingredients you need for those meals. This will help you see any foods that will overlap between meals (such as cheese), and make sure you don’t miss any key ingredients (the spice kit!). Consider the order in which you’ll eat these meals. For example, if you want to pack a fresh lime to liven up your rice and beans, plan to have that meal earlier in the trip. 3. Estimate the amount of food you’ll need. How hungry will everyone be? Appetites may vary based on preference, the weather, and how strenuous the activity is for each person. Planning portions involves a little guesswork, but at NOLS, we follow some general guidelines based on weather and activity level: • Short trips, mild weather, leisurely pace (low-mileage, weekend hiking or car camping): 1-1.5 pounds per person per day. Roughly 2,000-3,000 calories Good luck on your menu planning and eat per person. well on your next trip, no matter where your • Cooler weather, moderately strenuous adventure takes you! (a longer backpacking trip): 1.75-2.0

EDUCATE

HOW TO

Leave No Trace: Myths To Avoid By Molly Herber Creative Project Manager

aybe it’s something about disposing of orange peels, or letting your friend wash the dishes by the lake at the end of a long day. No matter what, you’ve probably heard of at least one of these popular Leave No Trace myths—and maybe even believe some of them yourself!

such as national parks, leashes are required for pets. If you do choose to have your pet off leash, keep them close by when encountering other groups so your dog doesn’t startle them. Myth: I don’t need to pick up my dog’s poop—it’s the same as other wildlife.

Myth: Toilet paper decomposes quickly, Nope—dog poop is actually different than so I can just leave it under a rock. that of other animals. Here’s what the Leave Backpacker once reported it can take toilet No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has to paper anywhere from one to three years to say about that: dog feces contains “harmful decompose. Not quite as quick as you might pathogens made up from the processed dog think. Besides, regardless of whether toilet food, medications, and vitamins we feed our paper decomposes quickly or not, leaving it pets. These pathogens can make other dogs around is just plain gross. No one wants to sick and add harmful additional nutrients turn over a rock and find used toilet paper. like nitrogen and phosphorus to the enviSo, just like for everything else—pack it in, ronment.” Depending on where you are, pack it out. many plants thrive in low-nitrogen soil, and the presence of a lot of dog poop could in fact Myth: Orange peels (or seed shells, affect the area’s soil composition—and the banana peels, etc.) decompose and are ability of native plants to thrive. natural, so I don’t need to pack them out. Actually, depending on the environment, it Myth: Going off-trail isn’t a big deal. can take an orange peel up to six months to decompose. For a banana peel, it could take up to two years. The thing is, even though these things decompose more quickly than materials like plastic or glass, they still stick around for a while. And in a popular area that sees dozens of visitors per day, even a handful of people leaving behind food waste can add up to a big pile of decomposing garbage. Myth: My pets are really well behaved, so I can let them run around wherever. Even though you may have spent time training your dog and trust them to listen to you in any situation, you can’t always count on the behavior of other people’s pets. Or what yours might do if it encounters a creature it’s never seen before (you don’t want to find out your dog has an inexplicable animosity for moose while on the trail). In plenty of places,

Sure, it’s no big deal if just one person goes off trail. Shortcuts are tempting, especially when you’re tired. Or if there’s a stunning wildflower that you want to photograph. But trails are built to concentrate impact and manage erosion, among other purposes, and going off trail counteracts those goals. Plus, seeing your footprints or trampled grass for those who follow can send the signal that it’s okay to leave the trail and lead to even more people following your new path. So, be the leader we know you are, and stick to the trail, even if it’s muddy! Myth: It’s ok to wash dishes in a lake or river if I use biodegradable soap. Regardless of whether the soap is biodegradable or not, Leave No Trace recommends not using it in or near a water source. Soap can cause problems “from increased nitrogen to actually causing significant

Going off-trail is just one of many Leave No Trace myths folks should avoid. Sophie Goldstein

harm to aquatic inhabitants.” What you should do with your dirty dishes and hand washing is to wash them 200 feet away from water, then pour the water in a cathole (strain it for food chunks first!). We hope you keep these myths in mind and that they’ll help you spot (and bust!) Leave No Trace myths the next time you head outside! Learn to travel in wild places with minimum impact on a NOLS Leave No Trace Master Educator course. Molly Herber loves the smell of her backpack and does her best writing before 7 a.m. When she’s not managing creative projects or teaching expeditions for NOLS, she’s running and climbing on rocks in Wyoming.

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After the Before Sun pouring like liquid gold trickles across the profiles of fourteen eager faces New opportunities lie upon their horizons Many days of travel await Sunrises and sunsets Rain and beating sun Wind threatening to steal tents away in the night Sandstorms, thunderstorms, snowstorms Streams flowing pure in the middle of a desert Sleeping under the moon and stars Talks of life and freezing cold feet Sleepless nights and layover days Emotions, too many to count, cascading through them Hard work, tears, laughter, anger, happiness, love, sadness, remorse, exhaustion, disappointment, awe, hope, homesickness, joy A newfound love for the world they walk through A newfound respect for those around them A newfound purpose in their lives A sense of place If even for a fraction of time They don’t know what to expect Each coming with a preconceived notion about life and the world around them Their earth will shake and everything they thought they knew will shatter Bits and broken pieces of what they thought was true will lay on the arid desert ground

28 | THE LEADER

Katherine Collins

They will have no choice but to begin again Slowly reshaping their minds and how they move through life But these fourteen strangers don’t know any of this They don’t know what to expect And how could they One never imagines Fights and confusion Hand in hand with Laughter and friendship The hard times will bring them closer together The easy times will solidify their friendships Each one will fight for the community they tried so hard to make Growing and learning more about each other Learning and appreciating the land they travel through Appreciating and loving more about themselves Planting new seed and offering plenty of sun and water Together then will grow Together they will be challenged Together they will succeed or fail Together they will become a family

-Brooke Pasmick NOLS Year in the U.S. Grad

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EDUCATE

BOOK REVIEW

A Window to Heaven By Patrick Dean Reviewed by Aimee Newsom Alumni Relations Coordinator

Hudson Stuck’s photo of his team prior to the ascent. A Window to Heaven

here is something about mountaineering that catches the imagination of experienced climbers and armchair travelers alike. As a casual backpacker, I found Patrick Dean’s A Window to Heaven to be an enjoyable escape into high elevation without the real-life fuss of crampons and ice axes. Hardcore explorers and history fans will also find plenty to enjoy in this impressively researched story of the first ascent of Denali. Part adventure tale, part historical narrative, A Window to Heaven describes the lives and journeys of the first four men to successfully scale North America’s high point in 1913. Despite reading numerous mountaineering memoirs and history books in the past, I was not familiar with expedition leader Hudson Stuck’s name or background, but I was glad to learn more about

this 50-year-old Episcopal priest and his unlikely crew. The backstory leading to an actual dayby-day account of the Denali expedition takes up nearly half the book, with several brief flash-forwards interjected to keep us looking forward to the climb itself. All but the most enthusiastic history buffs and biography lovers may find this lead-in a bit arduous, but it is worth a reader’s perseverance. It provides important context, as well as a glimpse behind the cultural curtain of Hudson Stuck’s tumultuous era. Though not without his faults, Stuck stands out as a man ahead of his early 20th century time. With the help of personal journals and letters quoted throughout the book, we learn about Stuck’s equal passion for nature and Native Alaskan culture. Before setting foot on Denali, Stuck spent years hard at work building weather stations, hospitals, and libraries as the Episcopal Archdeacon of the Yukon and the Arctic. Traveling thousands of miles by dogsled to visit remote outposts, he was known for combatting the mistreatment of Alaskan tribes by white prospectors, settlers, and fellow church members. Reading about his unusual commitment to multiculturalism and the preservation of Native Alaskan ways of life was both inspiring and surprising. The fact that his ideals made him highly unpopular in white circles but beloved by many tribespeople was also an interesting twist. Striking out against popular exploration narratives of the time, which “glorified

the heroic, solitary, white explorer—sometimes with a faithful Native assistant by his side,” British-born Hudson Stuck intentionally chose three Alaskan Natives as teammates for the climb. As Patrick Dean points out, “it is entirely possible that Hudson Stuck was the first to do what is commonplace today: seeking to climb a mountain or reach a pole specifically to draw attention to a cause.” That cause, in Stuck’s case, was the protection of indigenous traditions, language, and dignity at a time when all three were threatened. There is real anticipation written into the description of Stuck’s team climbing higher into thin air, struggling with interpersonal tension and near-tragic mishaps on the flanks of Denali. It’s impossible not to love the descriptions of the archaic gear they carried and the unusual foods they ate. Graduates reading through a NOLS lens will also have plenty to consider about the dubious Leave No Trace habits of the time, Stuck’s sometimes-questionable leadership skills, and the often-shaky expedition behavior displayed by the entire team. With A Window to Heaven, NOLS Outdoor Educator graduate and author Patrick Dean offers a rich and detailed look at Alaskan life, early mountaineering, and cultural complexities still present over 100 years later. Aimee Newsom always chooses tea over coffee and never leaves home without a book. She loves exploring Wyoming with her husband and their Great Dane, Dunkin.

Who Is This? Do you recognize this person? The first ten people to contact us with the correct answer will receive a prize in the mail. The high-flying man pictured in the fall edition of The Leader’s “Who Is This?” quiz is none other than former NASA astronaut, newly elected Senator from Arizona, and three-time NOLS grad Mark Kelly.

CALL OR EMAIL | 1.800.332.4280 | ALUMNI@NOLS.EDU 30 | THE LEADER

EDUCATE

GEAR REVIEW

Lost in the woods? There’s an app for that By Jim Margolis NOLS Instructor

f memories of your NOLS course include counting contour lines on a tattered USGS 7.5’ minute quad, you may have wished you were allowed to use Gaia GPS, a popular outdoor navigation app for smartphones. Faster than you can say “triangulation”—and way faster than you can take a bearing off of three nearby features—you can show your location on the map by simply pressing a button. You can also record a track to remember your favorite hikes or backcountry ski runs, or to document that you really did walk two miles in the wrong direction. The name Gaia (guy-yuh) comes from Greek mythology—she is the Goddess of the Earth, or Mother Nature. Gaia GPS takes advantage of the GPS chips and LCD screens in modern phones, overlaying location information on top of a map and greatly simplifying outdoor navigation. With a $40 per year subscription, you can access over 350 map sources, including topographic maps for the entire world, satellite imagery, public and private land boundaries, and many specialty map layers for different recreational and professional applications. Here are just a few of the available resources: • Slope-angle shading—Useful for winter backcountry users like skiers, snowboarders, and snowmobilers, slope angle maps can be used to get a general sense of the steepness of terrain, which can help you identify potential avalanche terrain. • Public and private land boundaries—Want to find public land for free camping on a road trip? Or make sure you aren’t trespassing on private land when hunting for elk? You can put

these overlays on top of your favorite base map. • Native Land—The Native Land Territories map, produced by NativeLand.ca, provides a starting point for learning about the human history of a location, whether it be your home or a place you are visiting. In many popular wilderness areas and National Parks, Native Americans were murdered and forcibly removed by the United States government. This history, coupled with the larger history of dispossession of Native American and Indigenous lands worldwide through genocide and fraudulent treaties, contributes to the erasure of modern-day Indigenous societies. It’s important to recognize this is not just a history lesson. The cultural and economic impacts of genocide and forced removal remain contemporary issues. • National Geographic topographic maps—A digitized version of the famous Trails Illustrated paper maps, this layer has excellent coverage of popular U.S. parks and long trails like the AT, CDT, and PCT. • USGS topo—The original topo map for the United States. If you took a landbased NOLS course in the U.S., you’ll probably remember these well. Whatever you use it for, consider it only a tool to build on the navigation skills you Outdoor navigation app Gaia GPS allows access to more than learned on your NOLS course. Ran out of 350 map sources. StockSnap Mockup battery? Dropped your phone in the river? There’s not an app for that. You’ll be thankJim Margolis is a field instructor and lives in Lander, ful you carry a paper map and compass as Wyoming. He was introduced to NOLS by his father, backup, and even more thankful that you who took a semester course in 1974. His bio photo is from his best Halloween costume ever. know how to use them.

Wilderness Medicine Quiz

Wilderness Quiz

ANSWER | d) More than 4,000

ANSWER | 1, Joe Pool, a Texas Democrat who supposedly said that the Act did not go far enough to protect our few remaining wild lands.

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EDUCATE

NUTRITION

Donna’s Hash Brown Fritters Adapted from the NOLS Cookery

As the weather warms and thoughts turn to camping, keep this recipe in mind! Before leaving home, pack the hash browns and dried onions together in one container, and the remaining ingredients together in another. That way, there’s no need for measuring while whipping up a quick and satisfying breakfast for your companions. Ingredients • 1 cup hash browns, dry • 1-2 tsp. dried onion • Hot water • 3 heaping Tbs. powdered milk • 2 Tbs. flour • 3 Tbs. powdered egg • 1 tsp. salt • Dash of pepper Instructions 1. Put hash browns and dried onions in a bowl. Cover with about one inch of water and rehydrate for about 15 minutes. They should be a little firm. 2. In another bowl, stir together remaining ingredients. 3. Drain water from the potato/onion mixture, reserving 6 tablespoons. Gradually add the water to the flour mixture and mix well. Add this mixture to the potato/onion mixture. Drop by large spoonsful onto greased, heated frying pan, and flatten the cakes. 4. Cook about 3 minutes on each side. 5. Serve with brown sugar syrup, stewed apples, cheese and hot sauce, or reconstituted sour cream mix. Enjoy! Find more tasty recipes to try at home in the NOLS Cookery, available online at the NOLS Store.

Donna’s Hash Brown Fritters make a great camp breakfast—or lunch. Anne McGowan

32 | THE LEADER

Kirk Rasmussen

“Over the course of the four weeks, I was pushed to what I would describe as very near the limits of my mental and energy capacities. I am eternally grateful to all my instructors, the staff at NOLS that helped me secure my scholarship, and the donors themselves that made it possible for those funds to be available to me!” –Neal H. NOLS Wilderness EMT

Donate to the NOLS Fund and our Future Leaders nols.edu/giving | 1-800-332-4280 NOLS.EDU | 33

Have you heard? Thanks to you, we exceeded our goal! The Step Forward Campaign, NOLS’ 5-year, $30 million comprehensive campaign, wrapped up in December 2020. Despite the financial challenges of the year, and because of the generosity of donors like you, Step Forward concluded on time and over goal.

THANK YOU!

34 | THE LEADER

NOLS Alumni Magazine - The Leader Spring 2021

Articles inside

Gear Review | Gaia GPS

Book Review | A Window to Heaven

Poetry | “After the Before

How To | Leave No Trace: Myths to Avoid

How To | 5 Steps to Plan A Camping Menu

Feature | Creative Ways NOLS Pivoted

Feature | Why I Began Donating to NOLS

Curriculum | Not Just an Outdoor School

Cover Story | Lessons Learned: Levine Scholars

Feature | A Long Hike Out

Recognition | Grad Sara Souza Receives 2020

Staff Profile | Katie Baum Mettenbrink

Alumni Profile | Zaid Abougamer

NOLS in Action | What Does the New U.S

Alumni Profile | Dori Bergman

Alumni in Action | From Wall Street to Wellness

Featured Course | Year in the U.S