NOLS Alumni Trip FEATURES OF THIS TRIP. Service Project in the Tetons CONTACT:

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1 NOLS Alumni Trip Service Project in the Tetons FEATURES OF THIS TRIP 7-days and 6-nights in the field Backcountry camping Approximately miles of hiking Options summiting a Teton peak Hiking at elevations of Collaboration with the USFS Teton Basin Ranger District Practice primitive maintenance skills NOLS core curriculum Minimum Age: 16 Cost subsidized by NOLS! Aug , 2017 Cost: $595 (subsidized by NOLS) Minimum Age: 16 Difficulty Rating: 4 CONTACT: NOLS Alumni alumni@nols.edu updated: March 27, 2017

2 I'd heard about NOLS for years, but it wasn't until I was 37 that I first took the plunge. I'll say my field time at NOLS was among the best, most challenging and difficult achievements of my life. My NOLS courses were tremendous growth experiences. I have great admiration for what NOLS teaches about nature, about skills needed in the outdoors, and about ways to live one's life. I wanted to continue that education while exploring the culture, history, camaraderie and NOLS connection that alumni trips offer. I learned first-hand, with my fiancé, that alumni trips are a great way to share NOLS with people who don t have weeks of outdoor experience or a clear image of how the school functions. I had high hopes that she d share my attraction to the NOLS ethos, but let s face it, it s sort of a risk too. I have this NOLS passion and connection, but would it resonate with her? I needn t have worried. We ve now done alumni trips together and the venues, formats, cultures and friendships we ve experienced have been enriching. She has a solid introduction to NOLS and I have a life partner that understands my interest in wilderness. Alumni trips have helped us both become and stay part of the NOLS community. - Bill Glaser, Wyoming Wilderness Course, Brooks Range Backpacking, Italy Why NOLS? The Team By definition, NOLS alumni trips are composed of folks who have a connection to wilderness, experience caring for themselves and others in sometimes harsh outdoor environments, and a demonstrated willingness to contribute to team success. Even non-grad family members and guests are typically aligned with NOLS basic ethos and sensibilities. Practically speaking, this means teams on NOLS alumni trips are positive, hard working, flexible, and fun. As recent and seasoned grads come together and collaborate on a new adventure, you can count on an incredible experience. Adventure Learning NOLS alumni trips travel through amazing wild places and iconic landscapes. The scenery is coupled with the opportunity to learn new skills or polish old ones taught by experienced and welltrained NOLS instructors. Alumni trips are not guided experiences- participants are expected to join in with all aspects of the expedition and some days can be physically demanding. Join us for the invigorating challenge of learning in the outdoors. Reconnection Alumni trips are the perfect place to reconnect with the NOLS community and many trips can introduce friends and family to their first NOLS experience. Whether young or old, avid outdoor adventurer or casual admirer of wild places, or new to it all, NOLS alumni trip participants engage in challenges with grace, enjoy great community, and find a renewed sense of inspiration among their expedition team. 2

3 Trip Format This trip takes NOLS grads, friends, and families into the Jedediah Smith Wilderness Area of the Teton mountain range for a week of camping, connection, camaraderie, and service. We ll team with the U.S. Forest Service to conduct meaningful and challenging service projects that protect public lands and enhance visitor safety and enjoyment in the backcountry. We ll hike into the mountains and establish a basecamp where our camping gear, cook sites, and work tools will be located. We ll share kitchen duties and sleep in 2-3 person tents. This year s project will focus on trail restoration, re-routes and potentially bridge rebuilding in the Alaska Basin area of the Jedediah Smith Wilderness. Service work is demanding. We ll routinely use shovels, hammers, buckets, pry-bars and lots of team muscle on most days of the trip. Please note: trip projects/objectives and area locations are subject to change. The trip is not all work. There will be time for photography, socializing, hiking, and just plain enjoying the wilderness experience. Instructors will plan on a mid-week break, taking the day to go exploring; an optional activity may include a non-technical peak ascent in the Tetons. Service trip participants speak often passionately about the team spirit of the group and the satisfaction of giving back to the land through service. The words fun and hard work are used in equal measure. 3

4 Environment Summer weather in the Tetons is variable including hot sunny days or several days of wet, overcast weather. Mountain weather, even in the summer, is hard to predict. Plan on sunny warm days, cool nights, and the potential for rain or snow showers. Remember, all weather conditions are possible! The west side of the Teton Mountain range offers a variety of terrain that is adjacent to Teton National Park. The group will hike on trail over uneven terrain approximately 7.5 miles to a basecamp, gaining several thousand feet of elevation. Black bears, grizzly bears, elk, wolves, and wolverines all live in the Tetons and could be encountered while in the mountains. Bugs tend to be less of an issue this late in the summer. On August 21 there will be a solar eclipse and the group will be in a prime location to witness the full spectacle! Curriculum This trip s curriculum focuses on traditional NOLS skills as well as primitive trail maintenance techniques. The instructors will present necessary information for the group to comfortably travel, work and camp in the wilderness, and be prepared to present NOLS topics desired by the participants. Alumni trips are more relaxed than a typical NOLS course; however, it is not a vacation or a guided trip. Trips are self-reliant through remote wilderness areas where evacuation to modern medical facilities can take several days. Throughout the trip, you live outdoors, prepare group meals, and care for yourself. The expedition format emphasizes hands-on learning and application of new skills in a variety of situations. All participants will complete and submit application materials, including a medical history form/exam either reviewed by a medical professional or selfreported. These forms highlight the intersection of your trip s anticipated physical rigor and your current health and fitness status. Your forthright and timely completion and submission of the forms sets you and your trip up for success in the outdoors. Please call NOLS Alumni at (800) with any questions. 4

5 Travel Details and Itinerary Trip Logistics The trip starts and ends at NOLS Teton Valley in Driggs, ID. The address is 1690 E 2000 S Driggs, ID, Lodging on the night of August 19 th will be very hard to find because of the Solar Eclipse. We ask that if you are flying in, you do so on the 19 th and NOLS will pick you up from the airport. Please try to arrive prior to 5pm. NOLS will then transport everyone back to the NOLS location and lodging or camping will be provided there. There will be an orientation meeting at NOLS Teton Valley at 9:00 a. m. on August 20, This meeting provides an opportunity to get acquainted with your instructors and fellow expedition members, review trip details, and prep/issue personal and group gear The course wraps up by 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26. Please keep this in mind when making flight reservations for your departure from Jackson, WY. Those who plan on driving should plan to depart NO EARLIER than 3:00 pm on August 26. Making Travel Arrangements Air Travel Jackson Hole airport is approximately one hour away from NOLS Teton Valley. At course end, NOLS Staff will drive participants to their hotels in Jackson. Please plan to be at NOLS Teton Valley until 3 p.m. on August 26th. Please make departure plans (driving or flying) accordingly. Idaho Falls airport is another option that is about 1.5 hours from NOLS Teton Valley. Taxi s can be used to bring you to the NOLS location. or Hotel pick-up If you have chosen to arrive early, on the morning of the trip start, NOLS Teton Valley staff will pick you up from the lobby of the in Jackson at 7:30 a.m. and drive you to NOLS Teton Valley. FYI-this region is expecting many visitors for the solar eclipse and hotel accommodations will be limited. We recommend Painted Buffalo Inn (400 Broadway, Jackson, WY ) or the Antler Inn (43 W Pearl Ave, Jackson, WY ) Driving NOLS Teton Valley is approximately 4.5 hours from Salt Lake City, 3.5 hours from Bozeman, MT, and 1.5 hours from Idaho Falls, ID. You may leave your vehicles at NOLS Teton Valley while you are in the field. 5

6 Notifying NOLS of Your Travel Plans Please notify (800) of your travel arrangements. If you are delayed If your arrival is delayed and you are not going to make the orientation meeting, please call NOLS Alumni at (800) You will be provided a 24/7 cell phone number closer to the start of this trip. Accommodations There are many lodging options in Jackson, WY. Please be sure to be at the Antler Inn, or Painted Buffalo Inn for the designated pick up time the morning the course starts. Camping option: Please notify alumni@nols.edu if you are interested in camping in the area of NOLS Teton Valley on the night of August 19. Storage of Personal Belongings and Vehicles Personal belongings and vehicles may be stored at the NOLS facility for the duration of your course. Due care will be taken to prevent theft or damage of your stored items. NOLS does not assume any liability for lost, stolen, or damaged personal property while in our care. NOLS will not honor any personal claim for property loss while in our care. If you want insurance coverage for your personal belongings, you need to provide it yourself. Telephone You will be out of telephone contact for the duration of your field experience, and cell phones have no service in the Tetons. There will be limited opportunities to make phone calls the morning of your course, and on the ending date. Registration and Payment To reserve a space on this trip, please submit a non-refundable $200 deposit. We take Mastercard or Visa via phone at or a check mailed to: NOLS Alumni Department, 284 Lincoln Street, Lander, WY The remainder of the tuition and all application forms are due by July 1. If you have questions about this trip, please contact the NOLS Alumni Office at , or alumni@nols.edu 6

7 Planned Itinerary August 19 August 20 August August 26 Most people will arrive in Jackson, Wyoming this day. Lodging costs and reservations for this night are your responsibility. Contact the Alumni Department for camping information. Meals this day are on your own. Pick up at 7:30 a.m. at the Painted Buffalo Inn and/or the Antler Inn or meet at 9 a.m. at the NOLS Teton Valley facility in Driggs for orientation and gear check. Take care of last minute needs and store luggage. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided at NOLS Teton Valley before leaving for the field in the early afternoon. Service projects and mountain exploration. Pickup mid-morning at the trailhead. After a shuttle back to NOLS Teton Valley, we will clean and de-issue gear, shower, and eat lunch. Plan to be at NOLS Teton Valley until 3 p.m. on this day. Please make afternoon travel plans (driving or flying) accordingly. NOLS staff will drive participants to their hotels in Jackson. Registration and Payment Call the NOLS alumni office at (800) or alumni@nols.edu. A non-refundable deposit of $200 reserves your space on the trip. Your enrollment is complete upon receipt of your final payment and your completed application forms (Application, Medical Form, Proof of Insurance Form, and Release and Assumption of Risk Waiver). These forms and final tuition payment are due by Friday, July 1, The price of the trip includes all meals starting with breakfast on August 20, through lunch on August 26, all group equipment, instruction, and shuttles to and from the trailhead. Accommodations the night before the trip and the last night of the trip, meals not indicated, any personal equipment that is rented or purchased, and any costs incurred due to evacuations are the responsibility of trip participants. The NOLS alumni office is located at the NOLS Headquarters, 284 Lincoln St, in Lander, WY, We can be reached at (800) , or via alumni@nols.edu. 7

8 Equipment Please review this document thoroughly and bring the necessary personal equipment with you. We recommend that you use this list to help you pack. Please read the item descriptions carefully before making decisions about what equipment you wish to buy and/or bring with you. Group Equipment All items listed in this section are provided by NOLS and are shared among all expedition members. Group equipment is included as part of the course tuition, although participants will be charged for any lost or damaged group equipment. Shelters Maps and Compass Emergency Communication Reference Books Water Bladders (Dromedaries) Equipment Repair Kits Food, Cooking Gear, Fuel and Fuel Bottles Trowels First Aid Kits and Bear Spray Fishing rod outfits and small, complete tackle kit Bear resistant food containers or fence 8

9 Equipment List Footwear * Upper Body Clothing You ll need at least 3 insulating layers, plus a wind and a rain layer, which must fit comfortably over each other so they can all be worn at the same time. If you often get cold easily, add a vest in addition to the other 3 layers. Hiking Boots: 1 pair of sturdy, lightweight backpacking boots with good ankle support and proper fit are critical for hiking on uneven terrain with packs. See the NOLS boot video for fitting (not model) details. Socks: 2 pairs of comfortable wool or wool/polypropylene blend. Gaiters: 1 pair to wear over the top of your hiking boots to keep mud, dirt, and sand out of the boots. Optional. Camp Shoes: 1 pair lightweight close-toed shoes to wear around camp. Avoid expensive shoes. Open-toed river or mountain sandals are NOT acceptable. Under Layer: 1 mid-weight underwear top of wool, high performance polyester, polypropylene, or Capilene material. Middle Layer: A mid-weight wool shirt, sweater or polyester pile pullover of Polartec 100 or 200 typematerial. Insulated Vest: pile, poly-fill or other for those colder individuals. Optional. Top Layer: A heavyweight, full-length zip pile jacket of Polartec 200 or 300 type material. Wind Shirt: A lightweight, breathable, nylon wind shell either pullover or parka style. This must be large enough to fit comfortably over the 3 insulating layers. Gore-Tex wind gear is acceptable. Rain Gear: A roomy, lightweight waterproof garment, which fits over all 3 insulation layers. You must bring a rain jacket and rain pants that can fit over all of your layers. Gore-Tex rainwear is fine. We have raincoats and pants for sale but we may not have sizes to fit small children. Cotton T-Shirt: 1 or 2. (You can substitute a long sleeve sun shirt here.) 9

10 Lower Body Clothing You ll need at least 2 insulation layers, plus a wind layer, which must fit comfortably over each other so they can all be worn at the same time. If you tend to get cold easily, bring the pile pants as your second layer. Backpack, Storage, and Sleeping Gear Primary Layer: Mid-weight bottoms of wool, high performance polyester, polypropylene, or Capilene. Secondary Layer: Expedition weight bottoms that must fit over the primary layer. Pile Pants: Polartec 200. Side zippers make them easier to put on over hiking boots. Wind Pants: Breathable, nylon wind pants which are roomy enough to fit over all lower body garments. Gore-Tex wind pants are acceptable. Zippered legs are useful for putting on over hiking boots. Hiking Shorts: Loose fitting nylon athletic or river shorts. o Internal Frame Pack: A medium sized pack (around 3,000 cubic inch capacity). Zip Bag: 1 medium sized zippered nylon bag (approx. 12 x 24 ), used as a clothing storage bag. Sleeping Bag: We recommend synthetic insulated bags for their durability and ease of care in a variety of conditions. A bag with approximately 3 pounds of fill (rated to 15 or 20 F) is required. Sleeping Bag Stuff Sack: Extra large for bulky synthetic bags. Compression stuff sacks are required with internal frame packs. Sleeping Pad: A full-length, closed cell foam pad to insulate and pad between the ground and your sleeping bag. Therm A Rest pads with a patch kit are acceptable. Miscellaneous Gear Baseball Cap Wool or Pile Hat Mosquito Headnet: A netted hood to provide some relief from the relentless hoards. Available at NOLS. Gloves and Mittens: 1 pair (either wool or Polartec.) Gloves offer more mobility and mittens offer greater warmth. Work Gloves: Sturdy leather palms. Cup, bowl and spoon: Tupperware bowls w/lids are recommended. Water Bottle: 1 wide mouth quart or liter size. Lip Balm: Stick, cream or tube type moisturizing balm with SPF 15 or greater. Sunscreen: 3 to 6 ounce tube with SPF 15 or greater. Bandanas: 1 or 2. 10

11 Miscellaneous Gear, con t. Sunglasses: Lenses should block 100% ultraviolet and 95% infrared light. Glasses should have a sturdy case. If you wear glasses, prescription sunglasses are recommended. Prescription Glasses and Contact Lenses: If you wear them, bring a spare pair of glasses or lenses. Head Lamp: Should be durable and lightweight. Bring extra batteries and an extra bulb. Plastic Trash Bags: 2 heavy-duty lawn and garden bags (33 gallon) for making stuff sacks and backpacks more waterproof. Toilet Articles: Toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, skin lotion, tampons. Travel or trial sizes are enough. Underwear: 2 changes of cotton underwear should be sufficient. Most women prefer sport bras. Watch: Water resistant. Insect Repellent: One small bottle or tube. No aerosol spray cans. Optional Gear Small Foam Pad: Great for sitting/kneeling; think garden kneelin pad. Small Book Camera: A small camera is best. Remember rain and dust protection. Pocketknife: One small knife is sufficient. Notebook and Pens/Pencils: A small, lightweight pad. Clean Clothes and Shower Items: For the return trip. 11

12 Alumni Benefits After an amazing NOLS adventure, you ve likely gained new perspectives, skills, strengths and poise. You are part of a unique family of over 280,000 NOLS graduates who can tap and share the educational benefits that a NOLS experience provides. Your NOLS alumni status gives you other benefits as well: we partner with a variety of companies and organizations to offer special discounts on gear, lodging, memberships and an evolving list of other rewards. NOLS EVENTS & REUNIONS NOLS reunions are a great way to connect and network with fellow NOLS grads in your area. Want to find a climbing or paddling partner, or connect with like-minded professionals? This is the place to do it. NOLS and WMI grads, friends, family, and everyone interested in the school are welcome to attend. Reunions happen all around the country, so be sure to check out reunions in your area: nols.edu/alumni/reunions Visit the NOLS Alumni Benefits page for an evolving list of your alumni benefits: Lasting Connections Many NOLS graduates say the completion of their expedition was the beginning of their lifetime of adventure. You can continue learning with NOLS by staying connected with the school and networking with the large and interesting cadre of fellow alumni. Join the NOLS conversation on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Instagram, Flickr, Tumblr and Pinterest. Subscribe to regional or topical NOLS lists and groups. Submit an article, artwork or update to our alumni publication the Leader. Comment on a NOLS video ( or review a NOLS publication online. Have a question? Think it s too random or obscure? Try us. The NOLS Alumni Department loves to help our NOLS alumni - new and old. We can get you the information you need about reconnecting with your course-mates, getting contact information, instructor names, and more. Reach us easily at alumni@nols.edu. 12