This
ultimate 9 day and 8 night nature adventure is perfect for any wildlife
and nature enthusiast! Our destination, a remote bear camp only
accessible by helicopter deep inside the BC wilderness, followed by
another remote lodge in the mountains of the Yukon for stunning aurora
photography and fall colours in the Yukon Wilderness.
A
total of eight of us have been granted exclusive use of this camp where
you will photograph amazing bear activity that includes fishing on the
spawning salmon, bears swimming in the pools and playing along the
banks.
We will all meet at
our hotel in Whitehorse on August 17, 2017 and enjoy a welcome dinner
together in downtown Whitehorse. We can get to know each other and
discuss what you can expect during our time with the Grizzly Bear. We
then overnight in Whitehorse and leave at 7am for a 2 hour drive to the
helicopter pad.
Our first leg of our trip, the Grizzly Bear adventure, begins as we
board the helicopter for an exhilarating and scenic trip to our home base for
the next few days. On our way you will pass over some of northern British
Columbia’s most beautiful wilderness locations. Then, when we arrive at our
base camp, we will have the opportunity to experience a closeness and intimacy
with the inland grizzly bears seldom experienced, and normally only see on the
Nature Channel.
When you arrive by a 45 minute helicopter ride at the camp, you know
you are in an area virtually untouched by man. Giant spruce and cotton wood
trees tower over the clear rushing water of the river. The camp is built
riverside and offers comfortable heated cabins of double occupancy, and a main lodge
with kitchen and dining room facilities where our chef provides excellent meals
3 times a day, and by night, an area to sit as a group and regale in the days
exciting photo opportunities.
During our days you will be photographing the Grizzly bears that are
drawn into the area of the camp to fish and feed on spawning pink as well as
Chinook salmon. This fishing ritual of the Grizzly bears has been going on for
decades in that specific area and within the last 30 years the bears became
very accustomed to the presence of the camp and its inhabitants.
Thus, they will go about all their normal daily activities – including
fishing, eating their prey, interacting with each other and much more – in and
around camp. This provides exceptional photographic opportunities all around
the clock. Guests are literally living in the world of grizzly bears from the
time they get up in the morning until their head hits the pillow again at
night. Here, virtually all bear age- and sex-classes are present – from large
adults through to females with cubs. While yearling and third-spring cubs are
more commonly seen, there is always the chance of seeing and photographing
small cubs-of-the-year.
There are four ground-based locations to view and photograph the bears.
One of these is the platform adjoining the main lodge (ground- level) and the
three others are locations along the river where we can view the bears fishing.
Each location offers different scenery and backdrops. So most of the Grizzly
bear viewing and photography is done “face to face” on the ground with a guide.
However, guests also have the option of being put out at one of the two
platforms where they can view and photograph bears and other wildlife in a
non-guided situation.
Due to the closeness of our viewing sites and the excellent viewing
opportunities from the deck of the lodge, the physical fitness level required
for your wildlife adventure is basic. We even have had wheelchairs up at the
lodge in the past.
As an added benefit, You will also learn about bear behavior from our
expert guides and owner of the camp, Phil. A seasoned bear expert that has an
intimate relationship with the bears that have been calling this location home
for generations. Phil will be on hand the whole trip to answer all your questions
regarding the species, the location and the salmon spawn that is occurring.
The second leg of our trip starts as we land in our helicopter on our
return from the Bear Lodge. From there we will head right for Sky High
Wilderness Ranch where we will stay for the next three nights.
For three days and three nights we will be standing a midst a sweeping
landscape of mountain valleys carved by glaciers and sprinkled with alpine
wildflowers and vibrant fall colours.
Encompassing breathtaking views of lush valleys, mountain ranges, the Yukon
is part of the largest internationally protected wilderness area in the world.
Four interconnecting wilderness parks in British Columbia, Alaska and the Yukon
are designated a World Heritage Site.
We will take different hikes into the back country before our home
cooked dinners. After dinner, its a
golden hour photo shoot at some of the most beautiful glacier lakes in Canada.
Long into darkness we will remain in the area. You will be presented
with golden hour and blue hour photography opportunities that end with a star
show with zero light pollution, and maybe, a once in a lifetime chance to
photograph an aurora show in this area. But if the aurora doesn't present
itself, the night skies still offer the opportunity to learn how to easily
create star trail photos or other night time long exposure photos.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner are cooked fresh and served daily by
Executive Chefs at Bear Camp and by our own cook at our Ranch in Yukon. We can
even accommodate special dietary requirements with sufficient notice.
Flight Destination: Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada. Flights are offered
daily from Vancouver and Edmonton by West-jet, Air Canada and Air North.
Group size: a maximum of 7 participants and one workshop leaders
(minimum group size of 5 needed for this workshop)
Workshop Leaders: Kevin Allen Pepper
Price of Workshop: $6995CAD ($5275USD. Check at time of booking for
actual exchange rate into CAD)
Deposits: $1000CAD with balance due Friday, May 12, 2017
Dates of Workshop: August 17, 2017 to August 25, 2017
Book your flight to arrive in Whitehorse not later than 5:00pm on
August 17, 2017
August 17, 2017 we will have a welcome dinner in Whitehorse, overnight
in Whitehorse
August 18, 2017 We board our helicopter to depart for the BC Bears
wilderness lodge. Overnight at bear camp, 18, 19, 20, 21 of August.
August 22, 2017 Return to Whitehorse from bear camp, overnight in Sky
High Wilderness Ranch. Overnight at Sky High Lodge 22, 23, 24 of August, 2017
August 25, 2017 schedule your departures for home as you wish.
Included: Single accommodations in Whitehorse on first night,
Accommodations at the lodge based on double occupancy (No single supplement
available), accommodation at Sky High Ranch (Limited single rooms), welcome
dinner, All meals while at the lodge and Ranch, Shuttle from Whitehorse to
helipad and return, Helicopter ride in and out of camp, guides while at camp,
photo instruction and guidance in the field, transportation in Yukon for Aurora
viewing. Laundry facilities can be used once we return back to the Yukon.
Not Included: anything not listed as included, International airfare to
place of tour origin. (Whitehorse),
Alcoholic beverages or personal gifts or items, additional tips for
staff such as guides and camp staff, additional excursions or gifts are not
included.
***Please note due to weather your flight may be delayed or changed.
Additional accommodations, meals, flight charges etc. due to unforeseen circumstances are not
included in the workshop price.
Suggested camera equipment and clothing requirements:
Two camera bodies, if you have one that is OK. Lenses: 300mm to 600mm,
or a 100-400 or other short zoom lens, 70-200mm. A wide angle for landscapes,
preferably 16mm to 20mm wide for aurora photography. Tripod. Rain protection
for your camera equipment. External hard drive and sufficient memory cards. In
regards to clothing: Mornings can be very cool. Dress in layers with fleece
undergarments. Fleece layers to fall jacket shell. Light gloves and rain gear
are a good idea. Good waterproof hiking boots or shoes. Rain pants.
Note: The weight restrictions are as follows: 70lbs. per person. That
would be equal to one suitcase of clothes and personal items and one photo gear
bag. There is a central shower with hot water and laundry facilities are also
available. No flush toilets, outhouses are used. There are a few black flies
and mosquitoes so a bug repellent might be a good idea.
Contact Kevin to register, or if you have more questions.
Kevinapepper@outlook.com
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