What a Concept! - College Credit on the JMT!

“I spent last week backpacking on a section of the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains( the John Muir Trail is 212 miles long from Yosemite Valley to Mt. Whitney). One day we were passing a group of young adults and I asked one girl what group they were with. It was a group from UNC taking two courses for college credit. They were hiking 250+ miles which included the John Muir Trail and sections of three National Parks. It only took me about 5 minutes yesterday to find the website:
http://studyabroad.unc.edu/brochure-print.cfm?pk=1680&CFID;=1166794&CFTOKEN;=56881333

What a great idea! I am not a biologist, but now I am thinking of perhaps a similar approach to teach either a course in (1) systems thinking, planning, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, and tie it in with the importance of Wilderness areas, the environment and environmental economics, or (2) a course I already teach called "Ethical Considerations in Science and Technology"--which I could easily adapt.

I am thinking of perhaps a two week trip (Red's Meadow to Yosemite Valley) and include sites and history of Yosemite. Yosemite history is filled with rich opportunity to discuss a variety of landmark legislative, ethical and environmental issues, not to mention the beauty and sightseeing potential.

Anyone have some experience with this or any ideas to contribute to the discussion? Our university already does summer trips to China, Italy, and other places for college credit.”

“They had neat course like that when I was in college---

backpacking, kayaking, fishing, fly-fishing, even mule packing for credits. I enjoyed many of those classes :)”