COAST MOUNTAIN MAGIC 2024
PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
British Columbia is home to a wilderness so vast that it's almost beyond comprehension. Join us as we travel off the beaten path and visit a place where few have stepped foot.
Mountain paradise awaits...
Over the last few years we've created a photography workshop like few others! We will begin our journey by meeting at our suites in Tatla Lake, a remote community of 120 people about 10 hours north of Vancouver.
After a good night's rest at the hotel, the excitement begins with a bucket list helicopter flight over some of BC's tallest mountains and most impressive glaciers! It's a place our pilots have decades of experience flying in, and they will likely have a lot of interesting things to say while we make our way into the mountains.
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Before we know it, we will be unloading the helicopter right in our campsite, our home for the next 4 nights! We do not have a set itinerary once we are there - our shooting will be determined by weather and light. For the most part, shooting will take place in the 3-4 hours around both sunrise and sunset. This leaves our afternoons free for rest, relaxation or exploring the area! If you do this trip without at least one afternoon relaxing at the lake in the hot sun, you're missing out!
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There are endless opportunities for hikes of all skill levels, and even our camp has great potential for amazing images. Most of the hikes are short walks over non-technical terrain, but walking will occur through stiff heather or up steep but short hills. If you have a drone, this will be the best place in the world you'll ever fly it!
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
PHOTO GALLERY
WHEN IS IT?
TRIP 1
August 2 - 7*
w/ Tristan Todd & TBA
Aug 2: drive to Tatla Lake and sleep at our suites
Aug 3: meet our helicopters in the morning and fly into the mountains
Aug 4 on location
Aug 5: on location
Aug 6: on location
Aug 7: shoot sunrise, fly out, drive home
*Starting dates are the dates we meet at our hotel in Tatla Lake. The helicopter flight into the mountains takes place the morning after.
THE NITTY GRITTY
It is important to note that we are not wilderness outfitters, we are photography instructors. This is an adventure style trip to learn mountain photography in one of the most beautiful locations in Canada. You MUST be self sufficient and responsible for your own safety, comfort and well-being. However, we will follow best practices to ensure the experience is as positive as possible for both students and the environment, such as:
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at least 2 satellite communication devices to communicate with loved ones, our pilot or in the event of emergency, SAR
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wilderness first aid certification for all photography instructors and first aid kits
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maintaining distance from wildlife
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avoiding the trampling of sensitive vegetation
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ensuring that drones are not flown near wildlife, or flown without license
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keeping food/scented items and cooking in a secure area away from the tents
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providing toilet facilities
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providing a gear checklist, plus gear supplements for things that cannot be flown with, such as bear spray or fuel
FAQS
Q: Can I fly my drone?
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A: To fly a drone that weighs 250g or more in Canada, you must be licensed by Transport Canada. Non-Canadians cannot receive a Canadian license, and no other forms of licenses or certificates are accepted. If your drone is 249g or less, you can fly it without a Transport Canada accepted certification. So if you're coming from outside of Canada, feel free to bring your drone if it weighs 249g or less. For more information, please visit Transport Canada:
https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation/drone-safety/learn-rules-you-fly-your-drone/flying-your-drone-safely-legally
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Q: What happens if the weather is bad?
A: Bad weather is a reality and inherent risk of adventures in the mountains, even in summer. We cannot control the weather, and refunds will not be given because it rained. It is highly recommended to bring a book or something to keep yourself occupied during any potential downtime. When we were here in 2021, it was blazing hot and sunny for the entire trip, often too hot for hiking, so we often covered our tents with our sleeping bags to stay cool, or sat in the lake. When we were there in 2022, the weather was a bit more mixed with a little bit of rain and fog that delayed our pick-up helicopters by 6 hours. We do not recommend booking any return flights on the same day that we catch our helicopter out. We communicate with our pilots via satellite text messages when necessary for updates regarding flying conditions and flight times.
Q: What about forest fires?
A: This area is usually spared the worst of the forest fire smoke. In the event that our pilots are going to be too busy fighting fires to bring us in, credit will be given to use for a future workshop. However, this scenario is highly unlikely. In 2021 our pilot simply took us in and out between his firefighting runs. In 2022 we did have some smoke at the location, but nothing that negatively affected the trip!
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Q: What clothes and gear should I bring?
A: We have a gear checklist that will be sent to every participant. Daily temperature range is typically 5c (40f) to 25c (77f).
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Q: Are the bugs bad?
A: The bugs can be bad at times, but mostly during mornings and evenings. Bring a bug net and hat for your face, or even a light pair of gloves to protect your hands when shooting during periods of high bug activity.
Q: Do I need travel or medical insurance?
A: If you are relying on flights to get you to Vancouver or Canada, please be sure to have travel insurance in the event you need to cancel or change your plans. If you're not a resident of British Columbia, please ensure you have medical coverage as well.
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Q: How will we get to Tatla Lake?
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A: All participants are responsible for getting themselves to Tatla Lake. However, we will happily facilitate carpooling arrangements among participants! If you intend on driving, or would like to be a driver, please let us know. The drive will take anywhere from 10-12 hours depending on traffic, stops and potential road closures/detours.
PAYMENT, CANCELLATIONS, REFUNDS, COVID-19
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Full payment must be made by May 15, 2024. We accept all major credit cards, and if you have a Canadian bank, we can also accept etransfers. For any cancellations before May 15, a full refund minus a cancellation fee of $200 will be given. For cancellations after May 15, a refund minus deposit will be given.
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In the event that the trip cannot continue forward due to natural disaster, such as severe forest fires, our preference is to rebook you for the 2025 trip.
In the event you cannot make the trip for reasons directly related to COVID-19 (positive test, travel restrictions, flight cancellations), the refund conditions above apply or we can automatically rebook you for the 2025 trip.
You must follow any potential COVID safety protocols set in place by the hotel and helicopter companies. Once we are in the mountains, risk of transmission is low because we will be outside. Hands must be washed or sanitized before meal times.
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