View Full Version : Have a spare $3000+ ? :)
http://www.nols.edu/courses/locations/rockymtn/lightandfastbackpacking.shtml
LIhikers
08-02-2007, 19:18
That's designed to make your wallet lighter......
I am not sure I care if NOLS programs descriminate on the basis of age, but I am surprised that real universities (including SUNY) will give credit for a course that restricts participation on the basis of age.
I am surprised that real universities (including SUNY) will give credit for a course that restricts participation on the basis of age.
I never thought of that angle. Maybe because it offers two courses? I honestly don't know.
And yes..it does make the waller lighter. :)
If you are new to the outdoors and/or more comfortable in group settings, I guess the course could be useful. It does come with some decent starter gear. However, I think of what I could do with $3000.....
Different strokes. Different folks.
superman
08-02-2007, 20:04
Probably about 90% of the tuition goes to insurance?
Two Speed
08-02-2007, 21:26
Yeah, but they teach how to cook one pot meals! I mean, isn't one-pot-slop-fu the key to successful lightweight backpacking? How can you go wrong?
... as an over forty myself, I read it as open to anyone over the minimum age in both groups... so over forty could sign up for either group!!!!!!!!!!!!! poor suckers under 40 had no choice...
Yeah, but they teach how to cook one pot meals! I mean, isn't one-pot-slop-fu the key to successful lightweight backpacking? How can you go wrong?
Maybe Emeril helps teach that portion of the course? Gotta get something for $3000... BAM!
do you get to keep the gear?
Tennaseevol
02-18-2008, 22:24
do you get to keep the gear?
I doubt it, since there is a $150 equipment deposit fee....
take-a-knee
02-18-2008, 22:26
That is a lot of money to learn how to hike, their mountaineering courses however, may be worth the cost if you want to learn to climb.
the goat
02-18-2008, 22:30
i went from katahdin to springer on considerably less than $3K.
I'll thru-hike for 3 g's, not spend 2 weeks having some little know it all **** try to teach me how to hike!
and 10-15 lbs base isn't even close to ultralight
Flush2wice
02-18-2008, 23:14
I'm going to e-ail them a link to this thread.
Flush2wice
02-18-2008, 23:15
just kidding:)
do you get to keep the gear?
Yes, you keep the pack, quilt, tarp, etc. The equipment deposit is mostly for clothing that gets rented. I don't teach for NOLS any more, and certainly haven't since the UL courses began last year, but I have kept in touch with a couple of other instructors, and there was also a great deal of info on Backpacking Light last year.
And YES, insurance covers a HUGE part of the price.
As for 40 and over courses, I wouldn't want to take a course with the college-age crowd I taught. I would be much happier I think with the older, more mature crowd offerred in a 40 and up course.
mweinstone
02-19-2008, 00:09
all shuttel crews are now required to complete nols courses. my grade point average was 3.5 with a 4.0 in rope handeling .
Save the 3 grand and read whiteblaze for a few days.
johnny quest
02-19-2008, 11:25
i know some places that will train you better than those guys AND pay you!
http://todaysmilitary.com/app/tm/like/training/advanced
3K plus getting to/from twillies WY.
Think of the good you could do with 3K. Would buy alot of rice!
taildragger
02-19-2008, 12:30
Maybe Emeril helps teach that portion of the course? Gotta get something for $3000... BAM!
But its for hikers, do you really want to spice up the food? It could be good for jetting up those hills.
I think that a hiker chef would be more likely BAM! it up with some fancy butters and lard, maybe with a Porter for the salad.
lonehiker
02-19-2008, 14:44
Yea, send them this link so that all of the cyber-hikers can tell them how it's done.......
tlbj6142
02-19-2008, 15:01
Isn't NOLS really about teaching you how to teach/lead others? They are not so much about teaching you how to hike, climb, etc. But teaching you how to be a good leader for a group that will hike, climb, etc.
ive seen programs that make you go cross country for less
Plan to learn cutting edge lightweight techniques like cooking one-pot meals
LOL it looks like my drunken, easy-mac eating roommates are cutting edge lightweight backpackers! I never would've guessed! :-?
I think that a hiker chef would be more likely BAM! it up with some fancy butters and lard, maybe with a Porter for the salad.
Garlic my friend, garlic. Can never have too much garlic.
(I made beef bourguignon this weekend on a hut trip. Also baked a pie. All at 11500'. No garlic in the pie, though. I guess I am a hiker chef. ;) )
Yea, send them this link so that all of the cyber-hikers can tell them how it's done.......
I need to do more outdoor stuff myself... ;)
I need to do more outdoor stuff myself... ;)
Don't we all?
Don't we all?
Naah..some rather talk about it...
Or take copious amount of flu/cold medicine for something they can't shake, get cranky because they are worn out at the end of the day, and realize they have not done a midweek hike in over a month... Flus suck..
take-a-knee
03-12-2008, 15:47
i know some places that will train you better than those guys AND pay you!
http://todaysmilitary.com/app/tm/like/training/advanced
Don't believe it, they'll train you to ride around Iraq with a bullseye on your a$$. The only unit in the US Army that does any real mountaineering training is SOCOM, to be specific certain Special Forces ODA's. A select few individuals attend an 8 week course that is/was taught all over Colorado by the 10th Special Forces Group, it is the real deal, and few will ever see it, exactly none on a first enlistment.
taildragger
03-12-2008, 15:53
Garlic my friend, garlic. Can never have too much garlic.
(I made beef bourguignon this weekend on a hut trip. Also baked a pie. All at 11500'. No garlic in the pie, though. I guess I am a hiker chef. ;) )
Had a nice 1/3 of a garlic bulb in my cous cous last weekend. Unfortunately other ingredients such as salt were forgotten...too bad the cous cous got stuck a little bit to the pot, but the pan that I attempted to roast the garlic with was delicious to clean :banana
And garlic in a pie, I'm listening, I need something to cook on top of peak 4 of the 4 peaks wilderness. Can't climb a mountain w/o celebration food.
And garlic in a pie, I'm listening, I need something to cook on top of peak 4 of the 4 peaks wilderness. Can't climb a mountain w/o celebration food.
Try a tourtier aka meat pie. Very popular dish among French Canadians and their descendants. (Many of which are in my home state).
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/French-Canadian-Tourtiere/Detail.aspx
A little hard to cook with backpacking oven, probably doable with a campfire.
WOW. At least I would have a much lighter wallet.
I'd rather spend 1000 or so, go to Glacier National Park, do the 10 day guided backpack. I could hire a sherpa to carry all my gear for me and I am still saving money over the NOLS ultra light hiking course (assuming that 3 grand plus transportation to and from is the price).
David
FFTorched
03-12-2008, 22:58
i know some places that will train you better than those guys AND pay you!
http://todaysmilitary.com/app/tm/like/training/advanced
I don't know if that is the best training. The Army at least is not to big on the Leave No Trace ethic. I guess if you wanted to learn how to cover large miles in heavy boots, with uncomfortable rucks that haven't changed since The Korean War then yeah. Also if your definition of ultra light is 60+ pounds of ammunition, MRE's, a change of uniform, socks, and claymores then it's a go.
Some hiker friends of mine used to eat cloves of garlic plain! :eek:
of course I joined in to prove I could hang, but wooo it was tough. supposedly garlic repels mosquitos, but I think it mostly repels people :D
taildragger
03-13-2008, 01:31
Some hiker friends of mine used to eat cloves of garlic plain! :eek:
of course I joined in to prove I could hang, but wooo it was tough. supposedly garlic repels mosquitos, but I think it mostly repels people :D
People, mosquitoes...they both can suck blood, buzz around, and be annoying and they both frequent bar patios in the summer...
Dholmblad
03-20-2008, 12:29
golite is trash, they dont stand behind their products.
golite is trash, they dont stand behind their products.
Rumor has it that they are going to be bought out by Timberland. As always, it is just rumor.
TL makes their shoes now..so who knows?
Dholmblad
03-20-2008, 12:52
Rumor has it that they are going to be bought out by Timberland. As always, it is just rumor.
TL makes their shoes now..so who knows?
I used a golite pack for 3 days, after 3 miles the loadlifter strap pulled out(carrying ~25lb). This was duing a thru hike, they would not send me a pack with out me sending that one back first. Luckly the lady at the Harpers Ferry outfitter that I purchased it from was helpful.
Squeaky 2
03-20-2008, 13:38
$3000 i am speechless. i cant believe people are prepared to pay this much! you could hike any of the long distance trails for that and learn 10 times as much.
whitefoot_hp
03-21-2008, 12:43
the equipment list is a joke. anyone see it? you are required to purchase some of the gear!!! in addition to three grand!?
my 15 lb setup breaks 75% of their 'rules' or 'musts' and is both warmer and more weatherproof!
here is a link http://www.nols.edu/courses/pdf/rockymtn/lfb_lfb4_el.pdf
notice how much basic stuff is 'required' to be purchased from golite or BPL?? wow, how creative nols. i would love to show up and hike along this nonsense, carry half of that garbage, and have a better time.
I don't know if that is the best training. The Army at least is not to big on the Leave No Trace ethic. I guess if you wanted to learn how to cover large miles in heavy boots, with uncomfortable rucks that haven't changed since The Korean War then yeah. Also if your definition of ultra light is 60+ pounds of ammunition, MRE's, a change of uniform, socks, and claymores then it's a go.
Really? The Marine Corps taught me to climb mountains in California, cross-country ski in Norway, and marsh walk in Scotland. Granted, this was my second tour around, but these things DO happen. Oh, and we were VERY LNT because leaving a trace meant the bad guys could follow you and kill you.:D