NOLS SW Instructor Training Trip ’09

Although the duration of this training trip is short, we try to pack as much into it as possible. Participants were able to try various shelters, stove systems and meal ideas.

We hiked through some rugged country, on trail the first full day of hiking.

It was nice casual hiking with our light packs. I won the lightest pack going into the field "contest" with a 14.75 lb Golite Ion including 3 days food and stove (esbit), Group first aid kit and Satellite phone along with personal gear.

We camped high on the ridge of Sunset peak. After eating a quick dinner we had a curriculum discussion in the still sunny rocks above our camp.

There is a reason they call it sunset peak.

Folks really enjoyed the light packs and we made good time as we headed off trail and overland.

Some people were having a little to much fun with the light packs and were starting to get a bit giddy…

So Scott, who was teaching the training with me quickly took action and reminded everyone this is serious "biznass"

Just kidding, I couldn't resist a little creative license!

Great to hear that this partnership is continuing, but what's with the heavy duty gaiters?

The gaiters… well, we have done such a good job of coaching our staff and students to go lighter that our equipment room was out of shorty gaiters. We did enough bush whacking that gaiters were necessary, so folk used what they had.