NOLS Rocky Mountain

NOLS Rocky Mountain The official page of NOLS Rocky Mountain—a place for students, families, friends, and alumni to share stories and photos from their trips!

The first NOLS courses ventured into the wilderness here over 45 years ago. Generations of students have been exploring the stunning glacier-carved granite cirques of the famous Wind River Mountains, the sprawling meadows and deep rivers of the Absarokas, and the hidden red canyons of Utah’s slickrock country with NOLS Rocky Mountain. The heart of our operation is in Lander, Wyo., the small town t

hat NOLS founder Paul Petzoldt handpicked in 1965 as the base of operations for his innovative outdoor school. We also operate the Three Peaks Ranch in Boulder, Wyo. Set on the western edge of the Wind Rivers, this working ranch is where we run our horsepacking courses and re-supply other courses on horseback. Our river base in Vernal, Utah, specializes in whitewater rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. With a wide range of course offerings and exquisite landscapes, being here—backpacking, climbing, skiing, scrambling, exploring, and paddling—is what NOLS is all about.

Curious about what it takes to become a NOLS instructor? 🏔️🛶Join NOLS in our free webinars where you can explore the ins...
08/18/2026

Curious about what it takes to become a NOLS instructor? 🏔️🛶

Join NOLS in our free webinars where you can explore the instructor course offerings, scholarship opportunities, and how to apply.

Hear from knowledgeable NOLS staff, get your questions answered, and take the first step toward leading life-changing expeditions.🥾 🌎

Sign up for the webinars at the links below

August 20th: https://ow.ly/vqjB50ZB1So

August 24th: https://ow.ly/tGyU50ZB1Sp

September 9th: https://ow.ly/1sMa50ZB1Si

NOLS honors the life and legacy of Howard “Pete” Colhoun.A NOLS grad and long-time donor, Pete Colhoun challenged NOLS t...
08/17/2026

NOLS honors the life and legacy of Howard “Pete” Colhoun.

A NOLS grad and long-time donor, Pete Colhoun challenged NOLS to think outside of the box. Pete was vice chair of the NOLS Board of Trustees from 2003 – 2004, a former co-chair of the Advisory Council and the treasurer of the NOLS Board. In February 2014, Pete was elected as Trustee Emeritus of the NOLS Board of Trustees. He read every board report, cover to cover. He was instrumental in the creation of the NOLS Endowment, which funds our mission as a school in perpetuity.

Colhoun enjoyed fly-fishing, heli-skiing, sailing, horsepacking, and canoeing. He traveled extensively in the United States and abroad. Colhoun has four children—three of them have taken NOLS courses.

He lived by a simple framework: learn, earn, and return. Pursue knowledge with humility. Build something of value through hard work and sound judgment. Then give back more than you received.

Curiosity was Pete's compass until the very end. Those fortunate enough to have traveled beside him will carry it forward.

To learn more about Pete’s life and legacy, visit the link below

https://www.nols.edu/employees/board-of-trustee-emeriti/howard-p-colhoun/

Only 3 spots left! 🐎🏔️ Horsepacking in Wyoming’s Wind River RangeAugust 21-29, 2026Join fellow NOLS Alumni on an unforge...
07/24/2026

Only 3 spots left! 🐎🏔️ Horsepacking in Wyoming’s Wind River Range

August 21-29, 2026

Join fellow NOLS Alumni on an unforgettable journey through the Wind River Range!
Spend your days riding rugged trails, learning the art of horse packing, and building relationships with horses and the alumni community.

See the backcountry through a new perspective, enjoy the mountain views, fly fish during your downtime, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Spots fill fast, register at the link below

https://www.nols.edu/course/alum/horsepacking-alumni-ahp/session/774230_21-aug-2026_nols_jackson-wy-united-states_split_tuition-200/

Jumpstart your outdoor career with this 50-day immersive NOLS course built for aspiring industry professionals 🏔️⛷️From ...
07/21/2026

Jumpstart your outdoor career with this 50-day immersive NOLS course built for aspiring industry professionals 🏔️⛷️

From Wyoming's winter backcountry to Idaho's wild rivers, you'll cover the skills, certifications, and field time that outdoor employers in the river guiding and ski industries are looking for.

Throughout the course, you’ll have the opportunity to network with outdoor industry professionals, building the connections that matter when you’re ready to start applying.

If you're serious about turning a passion for the outdoors into a career, this course is for you.

Register at the link below

https://www.nols.edu/courses/exp/ridge-to-river-semester-tvq/

A few spots have opened up on this memorable trip.Horsepacking in Wyoming’s Wind River Range 🐎⛰️August 7-16 & August 21-...
06/12/2026

A few spots have opened up on this memorable trip.

Horsepacking in Wyoming’s Wind River Range 🐎⛰️

August 7-16 & August 21-29, 2026

Experience the timeless adventure of traveling through the Wind River Range on horseback. Spend your days riding rugged trails, learning the art of horse packing, and building relationships with horses. The work is challenging, the days are long, and the rewards are great.

This is more than a trip, it's an adventure you'll never forget.

See the backcountry through a new perspective, develop backcountry skills, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Spots fill fast, register in the link below.

https://www.nols.edu/courses/alum/horsepacking-alumni-ahp/

Thank you.We asked you to step up, and you did. 505 strong – alumni, parents, friends. Exceeding last year’s Founders Da...
06/10/2026

Thank you.

We asked you to step up, and you did. 505 strong – alumni, parents, friends. Exceeding last year’s Founders Day with record-setting support.

Thanks to a strong outpouring from the NOLS community near and far, our fourth annual 2026 Founders Day Campaign was a powerful success. Together, we exceeded even our extended goal.

Whether you support expeditions, Wilderness Medicine, have taken an alumni trip, or know someone whose life has been changed by this experience – we are all NOLS.

We’re deeply grateful for your support, and excited for what’s next.

06/08/2026

A special message from NOLS President Sandy Colhoun for Founders Day.

Thank you to those who have participated. Your impact makes a difference.

Donate🔗: https://www.givecampus.com/s/obcqga

Our goal was to inspire 400 donors to give back on Founders Day. Thanks to the incredible momentum generated across the ...
06/08/2026

Our goal was to inspire 400 donors to give back on Founders Day. Thanks to the incredible momentum generated across the NOLS community, we're now pushing toward a second summit: 475 donors by midnight tonight.

A NOLS alum and donor, has offered a special Founders Day challenge to take us over the finish line: every gift will be matched two dollars to one, up to $1,000 per donor, while matching funds remain available. Triple the impact.

This is one of those moments where showing up matters.

Donate 🔗: https://www.givecampus.com/s/obcqga

Happy Founders Day. On this day in 1965, Paul Petzoldt and a small team of instructors led the first NOLS students into ...
06/08/2026

Happy Founders Day.

On this day in 1965, Paul Petzoldt and a small team of instructors led the first NOLS students into Wyoming’s Wind River Range with a bold idea: leadership is learned through experience.

That idea is alive in every NOLS course around the world🌎

And today—Founders Day—is when this entire community comes together to sustain it.

Tell us, what year did you take your first NOLS Course?

Donate Here: https://www.givecampus.com/s/obcqga

Tomorrow, celebrate Founders Day with us🏔️ Your Founders Day gift will help expand access to NOLS courses, as well as en...
06/07/2026

Tomorrow, celebrate Founders Day with us🏔️

Your Founders Day gift will help expand access to NOLS courses, as well as ensure the sustainability of our programs and the expansion of our work, from wilderness medicine to instructor training and beyond.🥾

Look forward to TWO Instagram livestreams from our NOLS Campus directors tomorrow, 6/8.
⛰️Rocky Mountain Campus @ 9:45 am MT
🏔️Alaska Campus @ 1:15 pm MT

And a special message from NOLS President Sandy Colhoun.

See you tomorrow.

Donate Here: https://www.givecampus.com/s/obcqga

Address

502 Lincoln Street
Lander, WY
82520

Telephone

+18007106657

Website

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