“Join our first-ever art-oriented expedition, an outgrowth of our Visiting Artists Program! On this horse-supported wilderness trek, you’ll pair the classic elements of an expedition with Chulengo—immersion in the backcountry, coaching in outdoor skills, context in natural and human history—with artistic explorations.

We’ve designed this itinerary to offer several hours a day for drawing, painting, and art instruction with John Springer, an oil painter (and NOLS instructor) who joined us as as visiting artist in January 2026.

You need not be an artist to join! When we’ve had visiting artists join our standard expeditions, most participants end up entranced with the artistic element even when (especially when?) they don’t consider themselves artists back at home. Think of this as an invitation to develop a creative practice, and deepen your powers of observation of the natural world.”