Outdoor Tips + Advice: What’s in Your Fall Day Pack?

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, Faculty Member and Diversity + Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS); Photograph by Brian Hensien/NOLS

Fall means school, changing leaves, football, holidays, pumpkins, and—for those of us in the Rockies—enjoying that last bit of mosquito-free balminess before winter descends.

Fall is also unpredictable. Even a planned day hike to Popo Agie Falls, not far from our office in Lander, Wyoming, can turn into a chilly, rain-sodden slog if you aren’t prepared. So besides what you normally carry in your daypack (which I blogged about a couple of months ago here), below are some additional items to stash in your fall pack.

1. An Orange Vest and Hat
If you are heading out on a hike in the Rocky Mountain West, there’s a chance you’ll be sharing space with hunters as the game season gets under way. Please don some bright colors so they’ll notice you.

2. Rain Shell
This item should be in any daypack, but is particularly important in the fall. Summer’s short afternoon thunderstorms have given way to perpetual mistiness. Better stay dry.

3. Warm Hat/Gloves/Socks
I felt a chill in my hands and sandaled feet this morning as I biked to work. Fall means the beginning of cold extremities, so keep those doggies, paws and ears warm. (I recommend a fleece-lined woolen hat—it’s not as itchy as bare wool.)

4. Thermos
What’s better than hydrating? Hydrating with a hot drink on a chilly day. Don’t let the weather dissuade you. Head out, but heat up some hot yumminess and take it along to treat yourself when you feel that chill in your bones. I prefer hot cocoa, but cider or tea also does the trick.

5. Camera
The aspen leaves are turning from green, to orange, to yellow. Capture those colors for your next Facebook photo album (and to make your friends who are sitting behind their computers jealous about all that deciduous delight you’re traipsing through).

Packing for more than a day hike? Check out what NOLS students take on Fall Semester courses.

Outdoor Skills and Advice: Ten Tips to Decoding Backcountry Weather Patterns

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, faculty member and Diversity + Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS); Photograph by Ashley Wise

A lightning storm had just struck, with bolts hitting the peaks less than a quarter mile away. After waiting it out in lightning position, my NOLS coursemates and I thought the worst of it was over, and headed to our tents, which were perched on a buttress below Mount Victor. As we started a class on leadership styles, we observed a dark cloud build-up over the peak. Halfway through class, the mass started to swirl ... fast. (Remember the sky in Ghostbusters, right before Gozer is summoned?) Minutes later, as we hunkered down in our tents gripping the walls as they flapped fiercely in 100-mile-per-hour winds, the funnel cloud touched down. A tornado? At 11,000 feet?

On a monthlong expedition in the backcountry, you are at the whims of the weather gods. Out there, the weather report isn’t a mouse-click away. And while adequate layering and gear can prepare you for the worst, there are also some ways you can predict what the weather gods might have in store for you today.

Outdoor Tips + Advice: How to Cook the Most Delicious, Cheesy Campsite Trout of Your Life

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, Faculty member and Diversity + Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS); photographs, from top, by Andy Clifford, Rich Brame (3)

Oh, the things you learn about yourself when you spend 35 days on a NOLS course in the wilderness with a backpack and a fly rod—and without your family.

Such as, for example, how you were so looking forward to 35 nights of uninterrupted sleep and lazy mornings, only to realize that having a kid has made you a light sleeper and a morning person. 

Or, for example, how excited you are to be “living off the land,” catching and eating 14-inch golden trout every day, only to realize that you’re about as good with a fly rod as you are with knitting needles, or any other activity requiring dexterity and patience. That is, you suck at fishing.

And by “you,” I’m not talking about you, dear reader. I’m most definitely talking about me.

So let’s talk about that trout. Although I couldn’t catch one for the life of me, I’d like to think I could cook one up to delectable perfection with this easy backcountry recipe for Fresh Trout WIZNUT, courtesy of NOLS Instructor John Whisnant). “The WIZNUT appeared in 1966 as a miracle response to our desperate pleas for cheesy crunch,” reflects John. Over the years, the WIZNUT has taken many forms, but the common denominator in any recipe is a layer of fried cheese at the bottom of the pan.

Outdoor Skills + Advice: Renaming "The Gap Year"

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, faculty member and Diversity & Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) ; photograph courtesy Deborah Sussex/NOLS

So far my blog posts have kept to more practical advice for outdoor enthusiasts, but I figured every once in a while I would be entitled to a soapbox. See, I have a bone or few to pick with “The Gap Year.” By this, I mean what we’ve chosen to call the time students spend traveling, volunteering, adventuring, and playing between their primary schooling and higher education.

To me, “gap” evokes images of nothingness, emptiness, space in between substance. But a Gap Year is anything but empty! My Gap Years have been the most fulfilling experiences in my life. It’s a plain misnomer. Folks in the U.K. have got it right: They call this experience “The Sandwich Year.” And for good reason, too. Think of all the meaty goodness that can fill this time in between conventional academic pursuits! Your wallet may not be bottomless, but finances aside, you can do anything: Work for a nonprofit aid organization in Africa; teach English in Southeast Asia; go to Antarctica to research glaciers; pick fruit through Europe; be a nanny . . . in the Riviera; or go on a semester or yearlong backcountry expedition with NOLS almost anywhere in the world. Maybe by the time my four-year-old is in college, he can go to Mars! No “gappiness.” More like an all-you-can-eat sandwich buffet.

Outdoor Skills + Advice: Leave No Trace Meets the Outdoor Outhouse

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, faculty member and Diversity + Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS); photograph by Kevin Bergstrom/NOLS

There's nothing like enjoying the breathtaking beauty of a scenic landscape only to be interrupted by a pile of poo and crumpled up toilet paper at your feet.

How many times have you thought about not following the rules? How many times has the little devil on your shoulder said, "go ahead, once won't hurt." Well, imagine everyone doing it just once, and you'll quickly realize that's a lot of little devils. It's not a pretty subject, but it's one to get right: Here’s our little primer on how to poop in the woods for those of you who are a little hesitant (or absolutely petrified) about the prospect.

Outdoor Skills + Advice: Backcountry Baking - Gluten Free Cinnamon Rolls

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, faculty member and Diversity & Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)

I can make a mean tikka masala in my own kitchen, but I’m a hack at backcountry cooking. Thankfully, I have my colleague, backcountry baking genius Kelly Sherwin to turn to for some tips. But despite differences in baking prowess, Kelly and I do have something in common. “Picture this scene,” Kelly says. “You emerge from your sleeping bag on a chilly morning and can think of no better breakfast than a concoction of butter, flour, and sugar—something piping hot and capable of fueling me for a long day.” There’s just one problem: We don’t like gluten and it doesn’t like us back.

Gluten intolerance can be tricky in the backcountry, where your expedition mates might cringe at the very mention of garbanzo bean flour or xanthan gum. The solution? “A delicious decoy for your run-of-the mill cinnamon roll,” says Kelly, “in which I avoid the gluten gauntlet yet treat my backcountry buddies to a meal that’s genuinely delicious.”

Outdoor Skills + Advice: Six Steps to Steer Clear of Lightning Strikes

By Contributing Writer Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, faculty member and Diversity & Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and NOLS Research Intern Kate Herden

Aaah, summer! The sweet smell of wildflowers, rain-soaked earth, and . . . ozone? Yes, the stormy months have arrived and in this year of apocalyptic flooding, best prepare yourself for an epic light show in the backcountry, complete with the smell of burnt air (that’s the ozone) that accompanies it. You can never eliminate the risk of a lightning strike, but you can reduce it by following these simple guidelines:

1. Time your travel.
Find out when summer storms typically strike where you are travelling (here in the Wind River Range, they’re usually in the early afternoon), and make sure you’ve completed your travel for the day—including peak ascents—and are back on safe terrain by the time you hear that first crack of thunder.

2. “Flash, 30-Seconds, Boom” means head for safety.
Count how many seconds pass between lightning and the thunder. Every second is equivalent to approximately a five-mile distance. If your count gets down to 30 seconds (that’s six miles), go to step 3.

3. Find safe terrain.
Lightning is more likely to strike at high points (peaks, ridges, and lone trees), caves (yes, a cave will not provide shelter), and on water. Lightning can also travel through metal fencing, wet ropes, and other long conductors. Wet ground isn’t any more dangerous and actually dissipates current. So seek a uniform stand of trees on rolling terrain, at least 50 yards from high-risk spot.

4. Get in lightning position.
One of the most common misconceptions is that lying down flat will minimize the likelihood of a lightning strike. Not so! Once you find safe terrain, minimize the contact between yourself and the ground (50 percent of lightning strikes happen from ground current, not from direct hits). Place some padding (clothing, sleeping pad, or backpack) under you, place your feet together (not apart, which can cause a change in voltage between your feet and . . . zap!), and squat or sit hugging your knees until the storm is a safe distance away. If you are in a group, position yourselves about 50 feet apart so you can still communicate with each other.

5. Avoid contact with metal objects.
If you can safely do it, remove metal backpack stays and crampons while you are in lightning position, and place metal umbrellas and hiking poles far away from you. Understand the consequences of doing so. Will getting rid of your umbrella expose you to the risk of hypothermia? Will getting rid of your crampons jeopardize your descent? Balance the risks before you act.

6. Plan your campsite.
Itching for that panoramic view of the sky and peaks below you when you unzip your tent in the morning? You’re asking for trouble. Pick campsites that are in safe terrain. If a storm hits at night, don’t run helter-skelter in the pitch dark and further risk your safety. Stay in your tent, and get in lightning position.

For more on lightning, read NOLS Curriculum Director John Gookin’s 2010 Wilderness Risk Management Conference article Backcountry Lightning Risk Management.

Outdoor Skills + Advice: What’s in Your Hiking Day Pack?

By Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, Faculty member and Diversity + Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and NOLS Research Intern Kate Herden

“Preparedness” is relative. As I head out on a day hike to Popo Agie Falls with my toddler, his backpack is sure to contain “necessities,” such as Matchbox cars, toy dump trucks, and a couple of stuffed animals. But mine will look different. Here are ten things that will prepare you for that short day hike that could turn into an overnighter.

1. Water
Forget the soda. Bring at least a liter of water. To replenish your reservoir, stick close to potable water sources or carry a water purification system.

2. Rain Shell
Wherever you are, you'll be happier if you stay dry. Even on a clear day, pack a rain shell for protection from wind and water.

3. Map
How many times have you rounded a corner hoping to see your car, only to see more hills? You may think you know where you're going, but in case you find yourself in untrodden territory, bring a topographical map.

4. Headlamp
It might only be a day hike, but you could get be-nighted. Lighter than a lantern and more convenient than a flaming torch, a headlamp will lend a helping hand if you find yourself out later than expected.

5. Warm Layers
Whether a synthetic or down jacket, fleece, or a woolly pullover, a warm layer will keep you snug if the temperatures drop.

6. Lighter
Don’t be stuck trying to rub two sticks together or trying to use your Jedi mind powers to create fire. Grab a lighter and give your forearms (and telekinetic brain) some rest.

7. First Aid Kit
A must-have, pack a first aid kit. ‘Nuff said.

8. Sunscreen
Pack some broad band SPF 30 to 50 water resistant sunscreen.

9. Snacks
Hiking makes you hungry! Bring some nosh—bananas, granola, chocolate, peanut butter crackers. And remember to pack-out wrappers.

10. Peace of Mind
This means leaving something behind—a message to a loved one letting him or her know where you are going and what time you plan on returning.

Packing for more than a day hike? Check out the equipment list for a 30-day NOLS Wind River Wilderness Course.

Photograph courtesy of NOLS

Outdoor Skills + Advice: Bug Bites Begone! - Which Bug Repellent to Use?

By Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, faculty member and Diversity and Inclusion Manager at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Photograph by NOLS/Juan Queirolo

It’s finally spring in the Rockies, and I’m about to head out on a five-week expedition into the Wind River Range, where I'll find high alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers and clear lakes teeming with trout. But record snowmelt this year and balmy weather will also bring a more unwelcome prospect—swarms of mosquitoes attempting to infiltrate my orifices.

My eyes are glazing over at the mere thought of standing in front of a store display of bug juice, trying to pick the best ones. So I chat with Tod Schimelpfenig, Curriculum Director of the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS. At NOLS we’ve been observing the effects of a cornucopia of repellants on our backcountry travelers for 45 years, and Tod has been with us for 40 of them. Here’s what Tod has to say:

DEET - Used in moderation and in concentrations of 20 to 30 percent, DEET is the single most effective repellent. Despite the negative media blitz, DEET is actually deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends choosing repellants with less than ten percent DEET on children. On adults, anything higher than 30 percent is not any more effective, so don’t buy in to the gimmick of “more is better.”

Picaridin - Picaridin’s manufacturer (Bayer) claims it works well and is odorless, nontoxic, and non-injurious to clothing and tents. I checked out the website (www.picaridin.com). Emblazoned across the top are the words, “an effective alternative to DEET.” But is it? Field testers have given me a resounding “No!”

Lemon Eucalyptus - Still skeptical about “chemical” repellants? I am. A recent study showed lemon eucalyptus-based repellants are the most effective of the natural repellents, protecting skin for 120 minutes (versus only 20 minutes for citronella-based repellants). A fellow NOLS faculty member says he swears by the stuff; he just has to reapply more often. I’m sold.

Body Armor - Besides bug juice, there is a single solution that can protect me from bites and burns alike—a thin long-sleeved shirt. OK, so it’s not like I was going to traipse around in a sports bra (I couldn’t get away with that!), but I was planning on just wearing a hiking t-shirt. Now, I’m thinking of buying something with long sleeves. I’m going to avoid cotton, because it doesn’t dry as easily. But maybe I can look stylish and keep from getting eaten with a cute Western-styled poly-pro long-sleeve hiking top.