NOLS Blog

Stories from the field

Advice, stories, and inspiration from the wilderness

Case Study: Dental Emergency while Rafting 

The Setting You are on day three of a 4-day rafting trip on the Rogue River in Oregon. The trip has been incredible so far. Great rapids, beautiful scenery, skies full of stars, and endless cups of hot cocoa. You’re almost to your campsite on day three, but have one more rapid to go.  At…

Anne McGowan September 2025 4 min read
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All Alumni Expeditions Gap Year Gear Leadership Wilderness Medicine
Quiz: First Aid for Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Teeth
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Quiz: First Aid for Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Teeth

Test what you know about providing first aid for ears, eyes, nose, and teeth when you're in the wilderness.
NOLS February 2018 1 min read
Lessons from Escalante’s Desert Canyons
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Lessons from Escalante’s Desert Canyons

Outdoor educator Erin Phillips shares reflections on the time she spent exploring the Utah desert on a NOLS semester expedition.
NOLS February 2018 1 min read
Lynn Hill on Mitigating Risk with Wilderness Medicine
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Lynn Hill on Mitigating Risk with Wilderness Medicine

Lynn Hill is famous for her legendary free climb of the Nose on El Capitan. What you might not know…
NOLS February 2018 1 min read
Sea Kayaking the Great Bear Rainforest
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Sea Kayaking the Great Bear Rainforest

NOLS instructor Jonathan Brooks uses words and images to chronicle his journey through British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest.
NOLS February 2018 1 min read
The Single Greatest Choice I’ve Made in School: Mountaineering in the Himalayas 
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The Single Greatest Choice I’ve Made in School: Mountaineering in the Himalayas 

In a post on College Outside, NOLS grad Will Black reflects on the transformative power of his experience mountaineering in…
NOLS January 2018 1 min read
New Courses for Summer 2018
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New Courses for Summer 2018

We're excited to share new courses for summer 2018!
NOLS January 2018 1 min read
Learning the Meaning of Teamwork in the Wilderness
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Learning the Meaning of Teamwork in the Wilderness

My 30-day NOLS course was the hardest test of will, teamwork, strength and leadership I’ve ever experienced.
NOLS January 2018 1 min read
Quiz: Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis
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Quiz: Allergic Reactions and Anaphylaxis

Do you know how to recognize and treat a patient having an allergic reaction? Take this quiz to find out.
NOLS January 2018 1 min read
Up Mountains and Down Rivers: Packrafting at NOLS
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Up Mountains and Down Rivers: Packrafting at NOLS

Instructor Tim Kelley shares his passion for packrafting and explains what to expect on a NOLS packrafting expedition, based on…
NOLS January 2018 1 min read

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