Nepali Outdoor Educator Jagan Timilsina Wins 2026 NOLS Alaska Merit Award

Kathmandu, October 7, 2026: Nepali mountaineer and outdoor education expert Jagan Nath Timilsina has received the 2026 NOLS Alaska Merit Award, recognizing his performance, leadership, and contribution as an outdoor instructor.

The award was presented by NOLS Alaska Program Manager Caio Poletti Romano. NOLS Alaska's in-town staff selects the annual Merit Award to recognize instructors who stand out in the field and within the wider NOLS community.

Recognized for Leadership and Contribution

Romano said Timilsina was recognized for his performance during the 2026 season and for serving as a role model for other instructors.

The 2026 NOLS Alaska season included 74 expeditions, around 900 students and 207 instructor positions. Courses covered a wide range of environments, including glaciers in the Chugach and Talkeetna ranges, tidewater glaciers and open-water crossings in Prince William Sound, and the tundra of the Brooks and Alaska ranges.

Despite challenging weather, route changes and evacuations during the season, instructors, including Timilsina, helped the program continue its work.

Romano praised Timilsina for his compassion, enthusiasm, and hard work, saying his impact extended beyond teaching technical outdoor skills.

From Mountain Porter to Outdoor Educator

For Timilsina, the recognition reflects a journey that began in 1998, when he started working as a porter in Nepal's mountains.

He later moved into guiding, climbing, outdoor leadership and adventure tourism interpretation before becoming an outdoor instructor.

His association with NOLS began in Alaska in 2016, which he said became an important part of both his professional and personal development.

Timilsina said receiving the award made him proud while also giving him a greater sense of responsibility.

He emphasized that he is still learning and wants to continue improving and contributing to the outdoor education community.

Leadership Beyond the Summit

Timilsina, who runs Freedom Adventures Pvt Ltd, said leadership is not only about reaching a summit or completing an outdoor course.

For him, it also means serving others, continuing to learn, sharing knowledge, taking responsibility and helping the next generation of outdoor leaders.

He thanked NOLS Alaska, fellow instructors, students, mentors, colleagues, friends and family for supporting his journey.

Timilsina described the award not as an ending, but as another beginning and a reminder that there is still a long road ahead.