Kirkland resident Alek Peterson, 17, recently completed a wilderness expedition traveling in the Rocky Mountains with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

NOLS believes people thrive when challenged. During the Rock and River course, students did not have access to modern conveniences and were challenged to step outside their comfort zones. A NOLS education stresses leadership can be learned and is based on the belief that the outdoors is a challenging environment where students will learn technical skills and about themselves.

Peterson, his 12 coursemates and three instructors, began this course with a nine-day river section on the Desolation and Gray Canyons on the Green River in Utah. The group traveled with three oar rigs, one paddle raft and nine kayaks. For the first two days of flatwater travel, instructors had the students spend half the day traveling in kayaks and half in oar rigs.

Students had high success building foundational skills by using this approach. On the third day, instructors introduced the solo oar and paddle raft. Peterson and his coursemates were all highly motivated and interested in learning. As the course progressed, students were given the chance to act as Leader of the Day. Instructors taught curriculum focusing on feedback, goals and decision-making.

After the river section, Peterson and his coursemates transitioned to a rock climbing section. For the first nine days, the group climbed the granite cracks of Vedauwoo in southwest Wyoming. Students learned the fundamentals of building anchors, rappelling and basic lead climbing theory.

The group visited several popular walls in the climbing area. Students who were interested in multi-pitch climbing also visited other walls. Instructors taught formal classes on land management, lightning, Leave No Trace camping and environmental science. For the final seven days, the group moved to Wild Iris outside Lander, Wyoming, for sport climbing. Highlights of climbing at Wild Iris included pocketed climbing, student-led climbs and a thrilling natural waterslide.

Peterson’s Rock and River course was full of exploration and learning. He and his coursemates graduated as competent and responsible wilderness travelers and leaders. They join the NOLS alumni network of over 254,000 graduates.