Because of the mission's many delays the STS-107 crew was able to get some optional training. The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) caters to businessmen who want to use outdoor activities as a bonding exercise. The STS-107 crew visited NOLS in Wyoming in August 2001.
| The crew poses for a group shot. |
A candid photo of the crew. |
Ilan Ramon cooking. |
| Dave Brown and Laurel Clark at sunset. |
Ilan Ramon and Mike Anderson. |
An informal group shot of the STS-107 crew. |
Rick Husband told author Philip Chien, "It is something we thought was a great idea to do. It's probably not something that would be made a requirement for shuttle crews but it's something we thought was a great deal. In our case we went on a backpacking expedition up in Wyoming in the Wind River Mountains. We spent nine days and nights out there carrying these 55-65-pound packs with our tents and our food and clothing and everything we needed out there. We had two instructors from NOLS with us serving as mentors and observers. They led the first day, and each day after that we had two people from the crew who would be the leaders of the day. It was a great experience with group dynamics, operating as a leader, also as a follower and also how to take care of yourself, which is an important thing being a member of a team as well. There are a great number of parallels between that and a space mission which you normally wouldn't think of, but it's actually there."
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