"Most people who are qualified to run outdoor programs have little experience in University administration," Nathans said.

According to Nathans, the steering committee "committed extraordinary amounts of time" to the search process. Each candidate visited with the committee for an entire day in Cambridge, eating lunch and surveying the FOP office. According to FOP policy, each of the eight members on the steering committee must agree on their new leader.

Because of Bell's expertise in outdoor education, the committee felt he would adeptly oversee every aspect of this leadership training, where young backpackers released into the woods for 10 days learn to read maps, perform CPR on trail beds and emerge as the new generation of rugged FOP leaders.

Bell has also taught courses in wilderness medicine, where he instructed backpackers how to heal wounds far away from highways and hospitals.

Bell's passion for biking and skiing also appealed to the committee.

"You name it, he's done it," Lewis says.