OT -- High Sierra Camp/Workshop
2002-02-10 by Paul Roark
I apologize in advance for this OT plug -- but it is for a non-profit organization and is photographically-related. One of my volunteer activities is that I work with a small group of naturalists and High Sierra/nature-lovers to run a non-profit camp in the southern High Sierras in California, just south of Mt. Whitney. The camp is at 10,000 ft. and is one of the only structures -- due to it's historic (and photogenic) 100-year-old log cabins -- that was allowed to remain in the Sierra Wilderness areas. This small group, the Golden Trout Natural History Workshop, rents the facilities for 3 weeks and puts on three, one-week "workshops" at the camp. (The Golden Trout Camp is in the Golden Trout Wilderness area, at the southern border of the John Muir Wilderness. The workshop/camp has nothing to do with fishing, though some do enjoy that aspect of the area.) Although the hike-in (about 2 1/2 mi.) camp is nominally educationally-oriented (and it is nice to learn about the environment) it is really just the easiest way to get into and enjoy the High Sierra wilderness. It puts one within easy reach of some spectacular photographic opportunities, and, of course, everyone is free to do or not do whatever hikes the naturalist has planned. No structure is imposed on guests. I tried a photographic workshop up there a couple years ago, but since I am a no-name, the quality of photographer I was able to attract was not interesting to me. So, I no longer attempt a formal photo workshop. On the other hand, I'm there for the photography and just plain good times. I sometimes go with the naturalist-led hikes, but just as often take off on my own or with a small group of like-minded people to where I know there are great photo ops. I'll be up there during the first session, June 30 - July 6. If anyone is interested in that type of vacation, check it out. It would be great to see some of you up there. For only $395 for one week, it's a great bargain. Check out the Workshop's web page at: http://www.1startists.com/gtc/ I have a few modest shots of the area at: http://www.silcom.com/~proark/GTthumbnails.html Again, my apologies for the OT plug. If you have any questions, please contact me off-list. Paul http://www.PaulRoark.com paul.roark@...