Rachel Gold
Embark on an unforgettable 30-day wilderness adventure through the majestic Wind River Mountains. This transformative NOLS course challenges you to push your physical and mental limits while developing essential leadership and outdoor skills. Whether navigating rugged peaks, mastering wilderness survival techniques, or taking on student-led expeditions, you’ll leave this course with the skills and confidence to lead in any environment.
Photo credit: Michael Lans
This is not just a wilderness adventure—it's a life-changing experience. Set in the heart of the Wind River Mountains, one of North America's most stunning and rugged wilderness areas, this expedition will push you to grow in ways you never imagined. As you navigate challenging alpine terrain and unpredictable weather, you'll develop the resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills essential both in the wilderness and in everyday life.
Through student-led decision-making, peer collaboration, and expert guidance, you’ll build not just wilderness skills but also the personal and interpersonal skills necessary to lead teams with confidence. You'll come away with a deep understanding of yourself and what you’re capable of, all while forging lifelong friendships with your fellow adventurers.
The Wind River Wilderness offers an unparalleled opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the most rugged and pristine wilderness areas in the U.S. Over the course of this 30-day expedition, you’ll traverse alpine meadows, glacial valleys, dense forests, and remote peaks. Expect to encounter everything from tranquil alpine lakes to snow-capped summits as you push your limits in a landscape that rewards perseverance and determination.
Along the way, you’ll practice key wilderness skills, including navigation, backcountry cooking, and Leave No Trace principles, while embracing independent travel's challenges and rewards. The unpredictable weather, ranging from snowstorms to high winds, will test your adaptability and decision-making, and wildlife encounters—including black bears and grizzly bears—will teach you valuable lessons in safety and respect for nature.
This course is a deep dive into technical wilderness skills and leadership principles, giving you the tools to succeed in the wild and your personal life. Here are some of the key skills you will develop:
Backpacking & Wilderness Navigation: Learn to confidently navigate challenging terrain using a map and compass and master key techniques like route planning and trail marking.
Survival Skills & Wilderness Medicine: Develop essential survival techniques, including shelter-building and water purification, while gaining practical wilderness medicine knowledge to assess and treat injuries in remote settings.
Leadership & Decision-Making: Experience hands-on leadership, honing your communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills through group activities and student-led expeditions.
Risk Management: Learn to assess risks in dynamic environments and make decisions to keep yourself and your team safe.
Environmental Stewardship: Embrace Leave No Trace principles and understand the importance of sustainable travel practices in fragile ecosystems.
Photo credit: NOLS Rocky Mountain
This course is structured to provide a balance of skill-building, leadership development, and real-world challenges:
Day 1–3: Introduction and orientation at the NOLS base camp. You’ll review essential skills such as navigation, cooking, and wilderness medicine and gear up for your journey into the Wind River Wilderness.
Day 4–21: Expedition phase. You’ll navigate through alpine valleys, trek along glacial ridgelines, and engage in student-led decision-making and leadership exercises. Days will be filled with skill development, team-building activities, and exposure to diverse wilderness challenges.
Day 22–28: Continued travel through more remote and challenging terrain, focusing on advanced leadership scenarios and practical applications of your learned skills. Expect unpredictable weather and dynamic group leadership opportunities.
Day 29: Final debriefing and reflection on your accomplishments, then return to base camp.
Day 30: Graduation ceremony and course conclusion, where you’ll reflect on your transformative journey and the leadership skills you've gained.
Throughout the course, you'll face a series of physical and mental challenges that will test your resilience and adaptability:
Weather: The Wind River Mountains are known for their unpredictable weather. One moment, it may be sunny. Then next, you could be facing snowstorms or heavy winds. You’ll learn to adapt and make decisions under pressure, a vital leadership skill.
Physical Endurance: Expect long days of hiking, carrying heavy packs, and navigating steep, rugged terrain. The course will challenge you physically, but you’ll build strength, endurance, and confidence as you rise to meet each challenge.
Group Dynamics and Leadership: Living and traveling with a small group will demand collaboration, empathy, and effective communication. You’ll practice leadership and followership, learning to balance both roles in a group setting.
Wildlife Encounters: The region is home to diverse wildlife, including black and grizzly bears. You’ll learn how to coexist with these animals safely, building a deep respect for the natural world.
By the end of the course, you’ll have a new sense of self-confidence, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and the skills to navigate both the wilderness and complex group dynamics.
Photo credit: Nicholas Byrne
This expedition is ideal for individuals ready to physically and mentally challenge themselves. Whether you are an aspiring outdoor professional, someone looking to gain leadership experience, or someone wanting to deepen their connection to the natural world, this course is for you. No prior experience is required, but participants should be in good physical condition and ready for an immersive and demanding wilderness adventure.
By completing this expedition, you will join a global community of NOLS alumni—individuals who have taken what they’ve learned in the wilderness and applied it to their careers, communities, and lives. As a NOLS graduate, you will have access to a network of like-minded adventurers, environmental stewards, and leaders who share your passion for personal growth and outdoor education.
Ready to challenge yourself, develop as a leader, and experience one of the most breathtaking wilderness areas on the planet? Sign up today to start your transformative journey in the Wind River Wilderness!