Carly Gutermuth
Explore the outdoors from canyons to mountains on the Semester in the Rockies. This course will be your opportunity to learn a variety of outdoor skills across the western United States and earn a Wilderness First Aid certification. Paddle down rapids on Utah rivers, break trail through Wyoming’s snowy mountains, see ancient rock art, and climb high granite crags. The skills on your semester may include a combination of rock climbing, whitewater paddling, mountaineering, canyoneering and backpacking. Each new skill will start with the basics and your instructors will teach everyone at their own level of experience, so you’ll find plenty of support and new challenges whether you’re a beginner or an experienced outdoorsperson.
Leadership will be a primary focus. As you progress through your semester, you’ll build on the leadership skills you’ve learned throughout the course. For example, assessing a rapid is an opportunity to develop decision-making skills, while navigating hard terrain is an opportunity to practice tolerance for adversity. These experiences are real opportunities for you to test what you’re learning and develop your personal leadership style. By the end of this course, you’ll walk away prepared to be a leader in school, at home, and beyond.
“Going to NOLS revealed to me that my life was far from irreparable and through hard work and determination I can get to where I want to be in life. I realized if I can travel 100+ miles on foot living off of what's in my backpack, navigate through precarious terrain and endure torrential weather, I'm definitely capable of putting in the work and effort to have a good life.”
