Compare Fall Semester In The Rockies by National Outdoor Leadership School vs Utah's National Parks from Las Vegas by Tours of Distinction

Backpacking (FSR-1, FSR-5, FSR-7, and FSR-8)

• Duration: 12-24 days
• Route length: 40-80 miles
• Elevation range: 9,000-12,000 feet
• Average pack weight: 50-65 pounds
• Excellent wildlife and natural history
• On- and off-trail hiking near or above tree-line
• Notable wildlife: elk, deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black and grizzly bears
• Location: Wind River Range, Wyoming

Your semester begins in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. The Winds are glacier-carved mountains renowned for their sheer granite walls and world-class fly-fishing. No roads and few developed trails exist.

You’ll begin with basic camping and travel skills: cooking and stove use, map reading, Leave No Trace practices, and techniques for responsible hiking and camping in grizzly bear habitat. Later the group will move into more advanced topics: fly fishing, compass use, snow travel, first aid, expedition behavior, and leadership. This section builds the foundation of camping and leadership skills that you will use throughout your course.

Mountain (FSR-3 and FSR-4)

• Duration: 21-30 days
• Route length: 45-65 miles
• Skills: rope use and management, protection placement, and alpine-style rock climbing
• Location: Wind River Range, Wyoming

You’ll live in the Wind River Range for this section, a world-class climbing destination, known for its snowy couloirs and remote granite spires, and some of the few glaciers left in the Lower 48. Your focus here will be on backcountry climbing and wilderness  travel. This necessitates a shorter hiking route, heavier packs, and more base camping than a traditional backpacking section.

The section starts with the same basic camping and travel skills as a backpacking section, but with the addition of fundamental climbing skills: rope handling, knot tying, gear placement, belaying, and movement. As weather and time allow, you will apply these skills to top-rope climbing on short routes, possible multi-pitch ascents of longer routes, and summit attempts on high peaks. By the end of this section, you’ll have the technical skills to pursue mountain travel in a variety of settings.

Rock Climbing (all semesters)

• Duration: 16-22 days
• Opportunities for both top-rope and multi-pitch climbing
• Skills: climbing technique, natural anchor building and artificial gear placement
• Location: varies by course

Depending on the weather and time of year, your climbing camp may be held in Utah’s House Range; at Split Rock, Lankin Dome, Devil’s Tower, or Sinks Canyon, in Wyoming; or in Colorado’s Unaweep Canyon. Each area offers excellent rock and world-class climbs to challenge beginners and experts alike.

You will begin with the basics: climbing movement, knots, rope handling, and belaying. Soon, you’ll be placing artificial protection, building anchors, rappelling, and managing rope systems. More advanced topics, such as fixed rope ascension, direct aid, and self-rescue may also be addressed. If you are ready, you may have the opportunity to lead a climb. NOLS has standard criteria used to evaluate readiness and ability before allowing students to lead climb.

Climbing camps are base camps. You’ll set up your tents, establish a kitchen, and stay in one place for the duration of the section. You may stay in an established campground or at a backcountry site. You should expect to encounter other climbers not affiliated with NOLS on this section, and you may drive to and from the crag each day.

River Travel (FSR-1, FSR-3, FSR-4, and FSR-6)

• Duration: 16-18 days
• Watercraft used: canoe, kayak, and/or raft
• Combination of flat- and whitewater paddling
• Location: Green, Yampa, or San Juan Rivers, Utah

Your river expedition takes place in Utah on either the Green, Yampa, or San Juan Rivers. These waterways run through deeply incised canyons of multi-colored sedimentary rock. As you travel, you may see ancient petroglyphs on the walls or Fremont ruins tucked up into overhangs, testaments to the rich human history of the intermountain West.

You’ll begin by learning how to rig and load your craft, with an emphasis on river camping techniques. Early boating skills include basic strokes and maneuvering, river hydrology, and simple rescue techniques. Your instructors will then teach you to perform eddy turns, peel-outs, and ferries—skills essential to running rapids and swiftwater.

You will begin on flat water and small riffles, then encounter more challenging water as you move downstream. You’ll learn to scout the river and choose lines through technical water, all while drawing on your maturing communication and decision-making skills. As you move downstream, you’ll study the natural and human history of the area. The exposed geology makes a perfect classroom for observing plants, animals, and ecosystems. Water is a vital resource in the West, and rivers have long sparked special management and conservation concerns.

Note: Depending on water levels, time of season, and permit availability, you may travel by canoe, kayak, and/or raft. River volumes vary with dam releases, recent rains, and the previous winter’s snowpack. During high water levels, kayaks and canoes may be inappropriate for beginners, necessitating paddle- or oar-rafts instead. Each craft carries its own challenges and rewards, and all require you to learn to closely read the river.

Canyon (all semesters)

• Duration: 23-30 days
• Route length: 70-120 miles
• Explore the natural and human history of the desert Southwest
• Possibility of technical canyon descents
• Emphasis on environmental studies and student independence
• Location: southern Utah or northern Arizona

This section takes you through the unique canyon country of the Colorado Plateau in southern Utah or northern Arizona.

On this section, you’ll draw on your maturing leadership and navigation skills to find your way through complicated canyons a new terrain. Your days will often involve scouting for safe passage or lowering packs off of rock slabs. You’ll work hard to minimize your impact in an area where the soil is fragile and water is precious.

In addition to your outdoor skills, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of the canyonlands’ human and natural histories. Exposed landforms show the land’s geologic past, while ruins of ancient cultures dot the landscape. Drawing on the library of resources you’re carrying, you and your coursemates will teach much of the environmental studies curriculum in this section.

Peer leadership is a critical component of your canyon experience. Student leadership teams are often responsible for planning the day’s activities, assessing and managing risk, and facilitating evening meetings. Some canyon areas have group-size limits that are smaller than the size of your group. In these areas, two groups of 12–15 students are divided into three hiking groups of 8–10 students for the duration of the section.

Solos

On this section, you may have the chance to do an optional “solo,” where you spend up to 36 hours alone. There is no hiking during the solo. The canyons can be a deeply spiritual place, and many students find this experience a rare and powerful opportunity for introspection.

Fasting may be an optional part of the solo. If the instructors feel that fasting is appropriate for the conditions and the group, students may choose to fast during their solo. Rations are carried to allow students to eat in the event of an emergency.

Independent Student Group Travel

At the beginning of the course your instructors will travel with you to teach travel skills including navigation, leadership, risk assessment, and decision-making. As you develop competence, instructors will gradually give you more responsibilities. Once you gain proficiency and demonstrate competence to your instructors, you may travel in student-led groups without instructors for up to a day at a time—we call this independent student group travel.

Student Expedition

After successful practice with independent student group travel and if your instructors think your group is ready, your course may culminate in a multi-day student-led expedition. Usually, for the Student Expeditions you will travel in a group of four to six students independently of instructors for two to six days (depending on location). This independent expedition caps off your NOLS experience and gives you a chance both to put into practice the skills you’ve learned and to appreciate the relationships you’ve formed with your expedition mates over the duration of your course.

Independent student group travel is carefully planned with your instructors and emergency plans are created for each group. Your instructors may be up to 24 hours away, but each group carries an electronic emergency communication device to alert the NOLS emergency response system in the event of an accident. Ultimately, on this course you will develop the competence to travel independently in the wilderness and with your family and friends.

Winter (FSR-5, FSR-6, FSR-7, and FSR-8)

• Duration: 11-15 days
• Route length: approximately 30 miles
• Skills: backcountry ski touring and winter camping
• Avalanche awareness curriculum
• Location: varies by course

Your winter section will take place in one of several Wyoming mountain ranges, including the Snake River, Absaroka, Gros Ventre, Wyoming, or Wind River Mountains. These ranges provide excellent opportunities to learn the intricacies of backcountry skiing and winter travel.

After outfitting winter clothing, alpine-touring (AT) ski equipment, and high-calorie rations at our base in Lander, Wyoming, you’re off to the backcountry. You’ll first learn the basics of skiing with a sled, snow camping, and winter ecology, as well as how to manage a group in avalanche terrain. You will sleep in elaborate, snug snow shelters you’ll, which you and your course-mates will learn to construct.

Camp chores will take up a big portion of your days. Melting snow for water, digging avalanche “test pits,” and staying warm and dry are time-consuming activities. Once you become efficient at these tasks, you’ll devote more time to teaching classes and skiing untracked slopes. If weather and snow conditions permit, you may have the opportunity for a winter peak ascent.

Classes on avalanche science and forecasting focus on the surrounding terrain, weather conditions and changes, and snowpack assessment; experience and practice are necessary to refine your judgment. A significant portion of the winter curriculum focuses on avalanche assessment and rescue techniques.

Wilderness First Responder (FSR-1 and FSR-2)

• Duration: 10 days
• Emphasis on judgement and decision-making in the wilderness
• Location: Lander, Wyoming

This 80-hour course, the industry standard for outdoor professionals, is taught by staff from NOLS Wilderness Medicine. You’ll learn to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Your time is divided between classroom case studies and outdoor clinics, where you’ll practice patient assessment, CPR, and injury care.

Wilderness First Aid (all semesters except FSR-1 and FSR-2)

• Duration: 2 days
• Emphasis on judgement and decision-making in the wilderness
• Location: Lander, Wyoming

Your semester includes a two-day Wilderness First Aid course (WFA) in Lander. This 16-hour course, the industry standard for outdoor recreationists, is taught by staff from the NOLS Wilderness Medicine Institute (WMI). You’ll learn to make critical medical and evacuation decisions in remote locations. Your time is divided between classroom case studies and outdoor clinics, where you’ll practice patient assessment and injury care.

Day 1 - Arrive Las Vegas, NV

Today, transfer to the airport for your flight to Las Vegas. Upon our arrival, we transfer to our hotel on the Las Vegas strip. This evening, there is a Tours of Distinction exclusive welcome reception with the remainder of the evening free to explore the vibrant nightlife that is Vegas.

Day 2 - Grand Canyon Village, AZ

After breakfast, we depart Las Vegas and travel past Lake Mead and Hoover Dam as we enter Arizona. We stop in Kingman to tour the Route 66 Museum, which highlights the glory days of cross country automobile travel. We travel Route 66 heading east through northern Arizona. This afternoon, we will see “One of the Wonders of the World,” Grand Canyon National Park. This 1.2 million acre national park hosts a vast variety of wildlife and scenic wonders. We will learn about the geology and history of the canyon while taking in its breathtaking beauty at all the best view points along the South Rim, including Grand Canyon Village. After, we check into our hotel just outside of the park. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 3 - Lake Powell, UT

Breakfast is included this morning before we make one more pass along the south rim of the Grand Canyon National Park. We include a stop at Desert View before exiting the park. Then, enter the Navajo Nation with a rest stop at Cameron Trading Post with time to explore the amazing gift shop.  Next travel past the Vermillion Cliffs as you make your way to Page for an included lunch.  Then take a spectacular tour through Antelope Canyon.  The mysterious and haunting beauty of Antelope Canyon awaits the adventurous traveler who seeks to discover one of the most spectacular attractions of the Lake Powell area.  A tour to this awe-inspiring sculpture set in stone is a must for amateur and professional photographers alike.  An optional short hike to Horseshoe Bend for a stunning view of the Colorado River is available.  Arrive Lake Powell Resort with the evening free to explore and have dinner on your own.

Day 4 - Monument Valley

The morning starts with breakfast and a scenic cruise on Lake Powell. The contrast of the red rock walls and emerald blue waters are a stunning sight as we glide through the canyons. After, there is time for lunch, on own. This afternoon, we depart Lake Powell and travel to famed Monument Valley, a sacred place to the Navajo. We will be immersed in the rich cultural heritage of the ‘Dineh’ people. Their arts, music and livelihood are all closely tied to the dramatic desert landscape that is their home. After checking in to our hotel, we meet our Navajo guide and board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a scenic tour of Monument Valley; location for scores of famous western films, television programs and commercials. As we travel through the valley and visit famous locations, such as John Ford Point, Artist Point and The Totem Pole, we will also learn more of the Navajo traditions and way of life. This evening, we experience Navajo culture, food and entertainment at a Navajo Cookout. After a wonderful day, we settle into our hotel.

Day 5 - Arches National Park

After breakfast, we depart Monument Valley and head north, arriving at Dead Horse Point State Park for a picnic lunch and one of the most spectacular scenes in the southwest. We have the chance to see the expanse of Canyonlands National Park stretching to the south and the mighty Colorado River 2,000 feet below. From here, we are off to nearby Arches National Park for sightseeing. The 18,000 square-foot visitor center (with over 2,000 named arches within its 73,000-acre boundary) will introduce us to the unique geologic forces that created the highest concentration of natural arches in the world. We visit all of the park’s highlights including: Park Avenue, Balance Rock, The Windows and Delicate Arch. In the late afternoon, we embark on a fabulous experience, as we take a Jet Boat Ride on the mighty Colorado River through spectacular red rock canyons. As the sun dips in the west, the canyon colors come to life while we learn about the river’s ecosystem, geology and history. After the thrilling ride, we enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner served on the banks of the Colorado River. We later arrive at the beautiful Red Cliffs Adventure Lodge which is located on the bank of the mighty Colorado, and check in for a two night stay. This area has been the site of numerous classic western movies including Rio Grande with John Wayne.

Day 6 - Canyonlands National Park

Our day starts after breakfast by meeting our professional driver guide and board 4x4 vehicles for a Jeep Tour of Canyonlands National Park. The Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park is the focus of this outstanding tour. Set 2,000 feet above the canyon floor, we descend from the top of the mesa via the famous Shafer Trail. Using switchbacks, the tour will take us from atop the mesa to the meandering river corridor below. Throughout the tour, our guide will provide information on the Park and the scenery. What an exciting morning in Canyonlands! Enjoy free time in Moab to have lunch on own, and to do some shopping and exploring. This afternoon, we return to Red Cliffs where we have the rest of the day free to relax and soak in the scenery. There is time to visit the Utah Movie Museum and the Castle Creek Winery, both included, at your leisure. Dinner, this evening, will be served outside with the quintessential western scenery of Castle Valley in full view.

Day 7 - Bryce Canyon National Park

From breakfast, we depart Moab for Capitol Reef National Park. We pass through the town of Green River and the San Rafael Swell. We will see ancient petroglyphs, beautiful rock formations, deep canyons and pioneer history followed by a wonderful picnic lunch under towering cottonwood trees. We will drive scenic Highway 12, designated as an ‘All American Road,’ through Grand Staircase ~ Escalante National Monument, before arriving at Bryce Canyon National Park for sightseeing. Later, we check into our hotel for the evening. This evening is free to enjoy dinner, on own.

Day 8 - Zion National Park - Depart Las Vegas

We depart after breakfast on a short drive to see Utah’s oldest and most famous national park, Zion National Park. The Paiutes believed mischievous spirits lived among the 2,000-foot high towers and would not enter the canyon alone or remain there after dark. There will be time for lunch on own before crossing the desert returning to the glitz and glam of Las Vegas. After an amazing trip through some of our nation’s greatest natural treasures, we enjoy a farewell dinner before being transferred to the airport for your flight home.