Denali National Park Photo Workshop
Join Ralph Clevenger on a one-week photo workshop to Alaska’s Denali National Park in the summer of 2013. Since 2005, Ralph has lead four photographic workshops to Denali National Park and Camp Denali. He’s also spent time in Denali on assignment, so he knows this land and how to help you see and capture the amazing wildlife and landscapes.
This workshop is geared towards nature enthusiasts and photographers interested in experiencing the vastness of the Alaskan landscape as well as the flora and fauna that inhabit this part of Alaska. Ralph will be available for one-on-one photo help and there will be ample time for informal discussions on photography.
Home to North America’s tallest mountain, the scenery of Denali is punctuated by encounters with grizzly bears, moose, caribou, wolves, migrating birds, and wildflowers. We will be staying at Camp Denali, one of the premier eco-lodges in all of Alaska. This workshop is limited to ten people, and provides the rare opportunity to work closely with Ralph as well as share your interests with other participants.
All transportation within Denali National Park will be via Camp Denali buses. Except for the bus ride on the first and last day of the workshop, our workshop will have exclusive use of our own bus, allowing us to travel further and spend additional time at each stop. We will have 3 very full days out in the field, not only improving our chances of seeing Mt. McKinley, but also giving us plenty of opportunities to find subjects and spend time with them. Whether it’s a bear, a field of flowers or a rainbow we’ll be ready.
DENALI NATIONAL PARK PHOTO WORKSHOP
Dates: June 23 – June 29, 2013
Cost: $3325 from Anchorage
Deposit: $1500 per person – nonrefundable
Led by: Ralph Clevenger
Contact Mary Jane Headlee at 805-963-4069 or at maryjane@ralphclevenger.com if you have any questions.
- Small group, personal instruction
- Private bus in Denali*
- Three full days in the field
- Stunning location and accommodations
Denali National Park – August 2012 from Ralph A. Clevenger on Vimeo.
ABOUT OUR ACCOMMODATIONS
Located 89 miles from the crowded park entrance, with spectacular views of Mt. McKinley, Camp Denali is a unique wilderness retreat for those seeking an intimate experience within Denali National Park. Founded in 1951, Camp Denali is Alaska’s original wilderness vacation lodge and nature center. Their mission is to help guests learn about the natural and cultural history of Denali National Park. Owned and operated by the Cole/Hamm family since 1975, it is Alaska at its best.
At Camp Denali, accommodations are in well-spaced cabins, appointed with traditional cabin amenities including hand-sewn quilts made by their staff, wood stoves and propane lights. Drinking water comes from a spigot by your door, and may be heated in your cabin for a quiet cup of coffee, tea or for washing up. Each cabin has a meticulously maintained outhouse, which offers private, convenient facilities, and a view of Denali when it’s out. The dining hall, lodge and a modern bath and shower facility are a three to seven-minute walk from your cabin. A natural history resource room, complete with binocular microscope, herbarium, animal specimens and scientific library is always open for guest use. Battery charging stations are available in the resource room and lodge.
Camp Denali may not be for everyone, but if you desire an experience away from the tempo of modern living and enjoy the camaraderie of kindred souls, you will not be disappointed.
Single Travelers note:
If you are traveling alone and willing to share a cabin then we will endeavor to find you a roommate. If you are not willing to share and want your own accommodations, we will need to charge you for single occupancy. Only one single room is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
* Camp Denali must act within the rules regarding use of the park road as dictated by National Park Service. In the off chance that we do not fill up this trip, other guests from Camp Denali may be included on our bus for travel only. They would not participate in the actual workshop.
INCLUDED:
• 2 nights accommodations in Anchorage with breakfast.
• Transportation from Anchorage to Denali National Park by motorcoach.
• Transportation from Denali National Park to Anchorage via Alaska Railroad – Gold Star Dome Train.
• Round-trip transportation from Denali National Park (entrance) to Camp Denali via camp bus.
• All accommodations and meals at Camp Denali for 4 nights. Drinks include juices, coffee and tea.
• All guiding at Camp Denali. (If you decide not to spend the day with the photography group, naturalist-guided activities are available as well as use of canoes, bikes, fishing equipment and outdoor gear.)
• All taxes and fees
• Gratuity for naturalist/guide and lodge staff.
NOT INCLUDED:
• Round trip transportation from your home to Anchorage.
• Round trip transportation from the Anchorage airport to our Anchorage hotel.
• Single supplement fee if needed
• Alcoholic beverages. Although Camp Denali does not have a liquor license, you may bring alcoholic beverages with you to the camp for your enjoyment. You can purchase these in Anchorage.
• Trip Insurance
DENALI ITINERARY:
Day 1 (Sunday, June 23)
Suggested arrival day in Anchorage. Transfer independently from the airport to our downtown inn. Dinner will be on your own at one of the many restaurants are located just a short walk away. Ralph will be on hand to go over the travel schedule for the next day. Copper Whale Inn
Day 2 (Monday, June 24)
We depart Anchorage by motorcoach this morning at 7:00 a.m. for our trip to Denali National Park rail station. Upon arrival at 12:30 pm, we will transfer to the Camp Denali bus.
At 1:30 p.m. we begin our 89-mile drive into the park, which will take us approximately 6-7 hours. Our trip is a good introduction to the taiga and tundra ecosystems of the far north and its inhabitants. We’ll be able to make short stops if photographic opportunities arise, however, due to the distance we must cover and time constraints, all shooting will be out of the bus. We’ll have scheduled rest stops and we’ll stop for supper, a thoughtfully prepared array of smoked salmon, pasta salad, freshly baked bread, cheese, fruit and drinks.
Upon arrival at Camp Denali, we’ll have dessert, a camp orientation and be assigned our cabins. Time to settle in and unpack. Camp Denali (B, D)
Days 3-5 (Tuesday-Thursday, June 25-27)
We’ll spend the next three days exploring the backcountry of Denali by bus. After a full and hearty breakfast at 7:30am, we’ll pack our lunches and head out. One morning we will depart earlier than normal, which will provide us with a quiet park and dawn lighting. Since we are visiting near the summer solstice, there hours of magic light! There are chances to see grizzly bear, Dall sheep, caribou, moose and wolf. And if the clouds part from around Mt. McKinley, we’ll be in for some spectacular landscapes. The tundra will be full of wildflowers this time of year, so we’ll also be getting out of the bus and enjoying some close-up photography. Lunch will be in the field. We usually return to camp by 5:00 pm and a delicious, gourmet dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. There may be a program soon after dinner in the lodge by one of the naturalist guides or visiting guest speaker. Camp Denali (BLD)
Day 6 (Friday, June 28)
After an early breakfast, we depart camp at 6:35 this morning for the drive out to the park entrance. Our return to Anchorage will be by Alaska Railroad – Gold Star Dome Train. The 8-hour trip back to Anchorage will give us time to relax and view the scenic beauty of a ride on the Alaska Railroad, the last full-service railroad in the United States. Upon arrival in Anchorage, we’ll transfer back to our comfortable inn. Those who are not continuing on to Prince William Sound will independently make their way back to the airport for their flight out or spend the night and depart on Saturday. Copper Whale Inn (B)
Day 7 (Saturday, June 29)
Today will be a free day to explore Anchorage. You can take a city Trolley Tour, walk or bike the coastal trail (bikes are available for rental), an 11-mile trail conveniently located near our inn, or visit the Anchorage Museum. Dinner will be on your own. Copper Whale Inn (B)
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
PAYMENT SCHEDULE – Denali National Park Photo Workshop
$1,500 non-refundable* deposit due at registration.
(*See cancellation terms below)
Balance of $1,825 due March 15, 2013.
Payment may be made by check or credits card. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
WHAT TO BRING:
A full list of suggested camera gear and personal items will be sent to registrants.
PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS:
The physical fitness requirements are moderate. You should be able to handle easy hiking on uneven terrain carrying your gear. All cabins are located within a 3-5 minute walk of the main lodge and dining hall. If you have any questions about your ability to participate in this workshop, please give us a call.
Special dietary needs can generally be accommodated with advanced notice. We will be collecting this information prior to departure.
You are likely to encounter new and different experiences in a wilderness environment. So, most importantly, we ask that participants come with a positive attitude, sense of humor and the spirit of adventure.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Since our workshops are custom designed for a small group, many of the costs are non-recoverable and therefore, deposits and most fees are non-refundable. We strongly encourage you to purchase trip insurance. Please note that most plans require that you take out the insurance within a few days of your initial deposit to get the broadest protection in the event you need to cancel the trip.
A few companies that offer trip insurance are:
Squaremouth.com (a site that compares hundreds of products from top providers)
Or check with your local insurance, AAA and/or travel agent for other companies that offer this coverage.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS:
All payments to Brooks Extension Workshops are non-refundable except:
• In the event we must cancel the workshop due to an insufficient number of participants, all payments will be refunded. We reserve the right to cancel the workshop up to 120 days prior to the workshop date. However, we do not assume responsibility for any other costs incurred by participants as a result of the cancellation.
• If you cancel and we are able to fill your spot, we will refund any payments made less a $200 administration charge. We strongly recommend trip insurance.
By booking a trip with Brooks Extension Workshops, you have agreed to these terms and conditions. (See Cancellation and Liability Policy). All participants must sign and return the cancellation and liability policy to workshops@brooks.edu upon registration.