A T.C. Grad Ventures Deep into Patagonia

Photo by FLICKR/stuckincustoms/3394343174/ After a four-hour plane ride deep into the Andes, you'll get further into the wilds of Patagonia.

LANDER, Wyoming – George B. "Brooks" Eaton of Alexandria recently completed an 80-day course in Patagonia – the remote region encompassing parts of Argentina and Chile – with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).  
 
Under the guidance of NOLS’ professional instructors, Brooks and his fellow students traveled by sea kayak and foot through some of the wildest country on Earth, including the Patagonian Andes and the stormy coast of southern Patagonia, and also earned their Wilderness First Aid certifications in the process.
 

Photo by FLICKR/gcourbis/376610888/ Lago Grey, Patagonia.

From September 23 to December 11, 2009, the students explored remote wilderness areas while learning the fundamentals of backcountry living and travel and the principles of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
 
To kick off the course, students spent 2 days earning their Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification. The students then transitioned into 31 days of mountain travel through thick vegetation, wide valleys and intricate river systems, and past massive peaks and hanging glaciers.
 
While putting their navigation, route-finding, leadership, and decision making skills to the test on a daily basis, students also attended classes in local flora and fauna identification, technical mountaineering skills, and river crossing.  
 
After spending a month in the Patagonian Andes, the students then transitioned into a month of sea kayaking among a series of island chains along the coast of southern Patagonia.  As the weather in this region is often capricious and unpredictable, the students learned to read the weather and the ocean along with paddling, boat handling, and rescue techniques.  
 

Photo by FLICKR/cobalt/3377991049/ Sunset at Patagonia Lake

At the end of their course students had the opportunity to put their backcountry skills to the test by planning and carrying out an 8-day expedition independent of their instructors.
 
Students left their NOLS course with a strong foundation in backcountry living and travel, expedition leadership, wilderness medicine, and Leave No Trace outdoor ethics, and a greater understanding of their own leadership strengths and styles.   
 
Brooks is a 2009 graduate of T.C. Williams High School and now works for NOLS in Lander, Wyoming as a video production intern.
 
Founded in 1965 by legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt, the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) is the leader in wilderness education and sets the industry standard for responsible, high-quality educational expeditions. NOLS provides an awe-inspiring, transformative experience that develops active, positive leaders with lifelong environmental ethics and outdoor skills to more than 10,000 students each year.
 

Photo by FLICKR/felumolina/68480988/ 100 percent Patagonia.

A private nonprofit school, NOLS runs courses from 10 days to a full academic year in length on five continents. NOLS students, ages 14 to over 70, explore the most remote wilderness the Rocky Mountains, Idaho, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Alaska, Western Canada, Mexico, Patagonia (Chile), India, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and Scandinavia have to offer. College credit and scholarships are available.
 
For more information, call NOLS at (800) 710-NOLS (6657) or visit the web site at www.nols.edu.