VanHorn tested in wilderness course

Alex VanHorn, 20, of Columbia Falls, recently completed a semester-long wilderness course with the National Outdoor Leadership School.

VanHorn and 13 other students traveled to NOLS Southwest outside of Tuscon, Ariz. on Jan. 19 for the start of the three-month course that involved hiking, canoeing and climbing.

The expedition also included a 20-hour backcountry first aid course and a 24-day trip in the Galiuro and Santa Teresa mountain ranges. The group traveled 95 miles on and off trail while encountering bushwhacking, steep terrain and wading through pools of water.

After traveling to Big Bend National Park, the group embarked on a 14 day, 120-mile canoe trip followed by 19 days of rock climbing. The semester culminated with an independent student expedition covering 61.5 miles and gaining 4,550 feet of elevation.

Those who completed the course joined the NOLS alumni network of more than 221,000 graduates.