Ryder Goodlin of Bainbridge Island recently completed a wilderness expedition traveling in New Zealand with the National Outdoor Leadership School.

Goodlin’s semester in New Zealand took place over 76 days alongside eight students and three instructors.

The course’s first section began on the Clarence River. Over the course of 24 days, Goodlin and his coursemates canoed 111 miles in six tandem boats. The students progressed each day with their paddling skills and eventually canoed through white water rapids. The instructors taught first aid, risk management and leadership skills that guided them into their next section.

For the hiking section of the course, Goodlin, 22, and his coursemates made their way to Lake Summer where they traveled 105 miles leading to incredible views. The students had the opportunity to teach environmental classes and be the leader of the day, which prepared them for their five nights of independent travel without instructors. Once regrouping with the instructors, the course transitioned into their final section.

The 23-day mountaineering section brought the course to the jungle where they experienced glaciers, rocky ridges and glorious mountain vistas. Students developed tolerance for adversity during this section of the trip because of the heavy rains. After dealing with floods from the rainfall, the course enjoyed the yellow walls of the Hilleberg Tents and completed the expedition.

Throughout the course, Goodlin adapted to the new skills, environment, and culture New Zealand offered and he will use this experience to enhance his future endeavors.

The National Outdoor Leadership School was founded by legendary mountaineer Paul Petzoldt in 1965, and since then more than 254,000 students have graduated from the school.

Graduates emerge as active leaders with lifelong environmental ethics and outdoor skills.