Ben Richey, a 2012 Great Valley High School graduate and freshman at Bates College in Maine, recently completed a 14-day skiing expedition in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park.

The backcountry journey was sponsored by the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). Richey’s mother was a former instructor on a similar NOLS expedition in the 1980s, while his sister was a past participant. When examining his options, the Teton adventure stood out to Richey.

“I really love skiing, and when I looked at a catalog of courses you can do, this one really jumped out at me, and I took advantage of it,” said Richey, 18.