Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 1
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic
“For humans, the Arctic is a harshly inhospitable place, but the conditions there are
precisely what polar bears require to survive - and thrive. 'Harsh' to us is 'home' for
them. Take away the ice and snow, increase the temperature by even a little, and
the realm that makes their lives possible literally melts away.”
-Silvia Earle
Pricing, Dates & Booking
For current pricing, trip dates
& online reservations please
see our website.
Trip Packets
Our PDF Trip Packets are being
updated all the time. Ensure you
have the most recent version by
clicking here.
Last Published: April 9, 2020
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 2
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Overview
Join us on an incredible once in a lifetime adventure this fall to
photograph Alaskan Polar Bears up close and personal! We’ll travel to a
remote island in the Arctic Ocean to photograph scores of Polar Bears at
eye-level from a small boat. Travel with an experienced professional
photographer and Inupiaq boat captain who have been living with and
photographing Polar Bears for decades.
This trip takes us to an isolated Inupiaq Eskimo Village situated on the
shores of the Beaufort Sea in the heart of the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge. Each day we will head out in our privately chartered boat to
photograph Polar Bears as they swim, play, wrestle and forage for food
along the icy shores. Phenomenal close-up images are possible with
focal-lengths of 300mm to 400mm as we will often get as close as 90 feet
in our boats.
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 3
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Fall is the optimal time of year for photographing Polar Bears in the
Alaskan Arctic as they are waiting for “freeze-up” when they can begin
their migrations across the vastness of the frozen Arctic Ocean. Often,
we will be able to photograph between 20-30 different bears on this trip.
Each evening we will retire to our rustic village accommodations where
you can relax in the warm great-room after an excellent day of Polar
Bear Photography. Hot meals are wonderful and guests can swap
stories with other travels to this remote corner of the world. The
Northern Lights are usually visible every night that it is clear along the
Arctic Coast – if they are out, we will photograph the Aurora as well!
Life in the Arctic with the Polar Bears is the definition of living on the
edge!
Highlights
• Maximum of six photographers
• Excellent Polar Bear Photography
• Up to 25% more time with the bears than your average bear
viewing outing!
• Get incredible eye-level Polar Bears shots
• Stay in an authentic Eskimo Village
• High concentration of Polar Bears
• Northern Lights
• All Inclusive Trip
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 4
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Noteworthy Travel Logistics
• This trip begins & ends in Fairbanks, Alaska at:
SpringHill Suites (by Marriott) Fairbanks*
575 1st Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 USA
907-451-6552
*Please note: Exact hotel is subject to change - equivalent hotel may be substituted.
If you are planning on arriving early or staying late please contact us.
• You can arrive at any time on Day One of the tour as long as you
arrive in time for the 5pm orientation meeting that evening.
• You can depart Fairbanks at any time on the last day of the tour.
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 5
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Transportation On-Tour
When you arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska just call the SpringHill Suites at
907-451-6552.
If you are using their complementary airport transportation, please
contact them at least 24 hours before your arrival to arrange your
shuttle pickup. We will provide ground, boat and air charter
transportation for the duration of the tour. All you have to do is show
up in Fairbanks!
Pre & Post-Trip Recommended Lodging
If you are arriving early or want to spend more time in Fairbanks after
the trip we recommend:
SpringHill Suites (by Marriott) Fairbanks
575 1st Avenue, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 USA
907-451-6552
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 6
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Itinerary Most meals included – (B,L,D) denotes Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day One (Travel Day)(D)
Arrive in Fairbanks, Alaska by 5:00pm for orientation and welcome
dinner. If the Northern Lights are out be prepared for a nighttime
photo session!
Day Two (B,L,D)
Today we will board a small charter flight for Barter Island. After a
safety briefing we will board our private boat and begin
photographing Polar Bears! We will spend the entire rest of the day
photographing the bears from several locations.
Days Three & Four (B,L,D)
Full days of boat-based Polar Bear photography. The Northern Lights
are visible just about every night it is clear along the Arctic Coast – so
if they are out we will photograph them!
Day Five (B,L,D)
We will have one last 3-4 hour morning session of photography from
our boat, then eat a hearty lunch before we board the charter plane
bound for Fairbanks.
Day Six (B)
You can make flights reservations home anytime today
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 7
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Please Note: Weather delays are possible, and we highly recommend travel insurance. Please note that the exact sequence of the itineraries on all photography trips will be based on weather and lighting conditions. The goal on these trips is to make sure we are at the right place at the right time for the perfect light on our subjects. Also, itineraries can change for a variety of other circumstances including floods, forest fires, national park closures, road closures and more. Due to the nature of wildlife and nature photography we do not guarantee any specific sightings or specific compositions regarding wildlife or natural phenomena.
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 8
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip Details
Physical Requirements
All participants must be in good physical condition and have the ability
to hike short distances with camera equipment and get into / out of a
small boat. This trip doesn’t require much (if any) hiking but if the
Northern Lights are out, we might have to hike a bit to have a clear
view.
Group Size
Maximum six photographers
Accommodation
We will be staying at the SpringHill Suites while in Fairbanks. While in
the Eskimo Village of Kaktovik we will be staying at the very rustic
Waldo Arms Hotel. Rooming is shared with another guest (there is very limited space for single supplements in the village. If this is something you prefer, be sure to book early!)
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 9
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Trip length
6 days
Meeting Time and Place
5pm at the Springhill Suites by Marriott on the first day of the trip.
Fitness Level 1:
Fairly Easy – This is a boat-based trip and you must be able to get into / out of a small boat in potentially rough seas.
Trip Conclusion
Fairbanks, Alaska morning of Day Six. You can fly out anytime when
you wake-up on day six (just catch our hotel’s free shuttle to the airport
after breakfast!)
Price/Start Dates
Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic (see website)
Pre and Post Trip:
Recommended lodging SpringHill Suites Fairbanks
Meals
Most meals are included during the trip dates from dinner Day One
through breakfast on Day Six.
Weather
Typical daytime temperatures are in the 20-30-degree Fahrenheit range
while in the Arctic during September. It can get windy out on the water
so make sure you have plenty of warm clothing! Evenings are usually in
the 20s.
Price Includes
Most meals, ground transportation, roundtrip air charter to Barter
Island, Polar Bear viewing boat rides, accommodation during the trip
dates: from the evening of Day One through the morning of Day Six,
professional photography instruction, medically certified wilderness
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 10
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
guide, & gratuities for service personnel such as drivers, pilots, captains
as well as hotel & restaurant staff.
Price Does Not Include
Airfare to/from Fairbanks, alcoholic beverages, accommodations before
or after the trip dates, one meal on your own, souvenirs & trip leader
gratuities (industry standard is typically 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience)
Lodging & Meals
Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours & Workshops include meals,
lodging from Day One through the morning of the last day of the tour,
ground transportation while on the tour, guide fees and other items
essential to a successful trip – meaning that once your there all you will
have to focus on is your photography. We can accommodate most special
diets so please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions.
Gear List
This gear list should answer a lot of your gear questions so please read
through this carefully. If you still have questions, please give us a call.
Your clothing should be a system of layers that you add and subtract
according to the weather and temperature. A good pair of good synthetic
“Smartwool” type socks under sturdy boots works well. Clothing should
be light-weight nylon pants (maybe base-layers), a polypro shirt and
either a sunhat or warm hat depending on the weather. As weather
conditions change add insulating and waterproof layers to your base
setup. Don’t bring any cotton clothing. Cotton is not a good insulator
and once it gets wet it takes forever to dry. Absolutely no jeans! (see
complete clothing list below)
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 11
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Photo & Field Gear Recommended Camera Gear:
• DSLR or Mirrorless Camera. (Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic etc.) • Telephoto Lens (400mm-600mm or equivalent)
• Normal Lenses (ranging from approximately 35mm to 100mm)
• Memory Cards
• Batteries & Chargers
• Lens cleaning pen & cloth
• Camera Day Pack (this should appropriately carry all your camera
& hiking gear and have a rain cover)
• Camera Rain Sleeve
Optional (but recommended) Camera Gear: • Back-Up Camera Body
• Medium telephoto zoom lens (100–400mm zoom or equivalent) • Wide-angle lens (10-20mm, f2.8 or faster is best if we see Northern
Lights!) • Tripod (please note that you won’t want to use a tripod in the boat
however this is a must for Northern Lights. Monopods are ok on boat-based trips.)
• Normal Lens (50mm or equivalent zoom) • Macro-Lens (snow-flakes anyone!)
• 1.4x tele converter
• Laptop Computer with Lightroom / Photoshop Pre-Installed (for
personal use in hotels for downloading images while on tour)
• External Hard Drives
• Remote Shutter Trigger
• Camera’s Instruction Manual
Suggested Field Gear & Clothing for Alaskan Winter • Base Layers (top & bottom): Mid-weight long-john style thermal
underwear (merino wool is best) • Mid Layers (top & bottom): Heavier weight long-john style
thermal underwear (merino wool is best)
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 12
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
• Heavier Mid Layer (top & bottom): Heavier fleece or wool jacket / fleece pants
• Top Layers: Insulated snow pants & good winter jacket (heavy,
puffy down jackets that are water-resistant are best)
• Weather-Proof Layers: Weatherproof jacket that goes over down-
jacket
• Heavy, warm, ski mountaineering socks (wool / merino wool) • Insulated winter boots (high performance insulated boot that is
supportive, waterproof, lightweight, and breathable.)
• Hand-wear: Light-weight fleece gloves + heavy down gloves over
the top
• Warm hat: aviator style is recommended
• Balaklava
• Headlamp with spare batteries (for photographing Northern Lights! There are short daylight hours during the winter)
• Gaiters (optional, but recommended, depending on your ski pants) • Shooting Gloves
• Casual wear for around town & in the hotel
• Swimsuit for the hot-tub in Fairbanks
• Water Bottle (insulated is best. Hydro-flask is a great brand)
• Prescription medication
• Personal toiletries
• Money, for tipping your guide (industry standard is generally 10%-20% of the trip cost based on your experience), and for any
personal expenses not included in the tour package such as alcoholic
beverages, a few of the meals, souvenirs, etc.
This is a general list. Call or email us with any questions!
Note on Packing for the tour:
Please pack your extra clothing, toiletries, extra camera gear, and other travel items into a suitcase, duffel or travel bag. You will not bring all your camera gear on every hike or outing. Each day you will be briefed on which lenses, filters, etc. you will need on each outing the following evening.
Backcountry Journeys – Polar Bears of the Alaskan Arctic 13
Landscape & Wildlife Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris 928-478-1521 | [email protected] | www.backcountryjourneys.com
Important note: The luggage limit for the Bush Plane is 75 lbs per
person. This includes all your camera equipment as well as your
personal gear. Basically, anything you bring to Kaktovik.
Pro-Tip: Roller luggage is very heavy with nothing in it (typical roller luggage weighs 8-12 lbs. per suitcase!), if you think you may be overweight please purchase a lighter-weight appropriate hiking/camera bag (typical backpack weighs 2.5-5 lbs per pack), and/or duffel (typical weight 1-3 lbs per duffel) for the trip.