glacier national Park in summer 2006
A 5-Day Landscape Photography Workshop in
Glacier National Park
Conducted by Steve Kossack
August 5-9, 2006
Historic Lodge , Going to the Sun Road, The Continental Divide, Hiking, boating and much much more!
Where is Glacier | Who is the trip for | Weather | Schedule | Cost
About the Workshop
Steve Kossack: Photographing the Great American Landscape presents a 5-day workshop in the pristine wilderness that is Glacier National Park. From Saturday August 5, thru Wednesday August 9, 2006 we will be photographing and exploring some of the most beautiful country on earth! This is a unique opportunity to explore Glacier NP on foot and by car. We will be chasing color and light on both sides of the park from sun up until well after dark. This is an adventure that you'll not want to miss! One of the most sought after photography locations, in one of the most isolated parts of the country - and all under a full moon. Come join us for an unforgettable experience!
See this year's workshop preview images from May.
Our workshop will be based at the beautiful and historic Glacier Park Lodge. We will have Deluxe Accommodations, the best that the lodge has to offer! With it's breathtaking location just outside the park, and situated between both entrances, our workshop will have the best of all worlds. We will experience luxury, comfort and history at this first class hotel in the heart of paradise!
Southwest photographer Steve Kossack will lead this workshop. It’s size and design will lend itself the flexibility to travel and photograph the available light and color of this exciting area during our 5-day shoot.
Where is Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park is full of soaring mountains, deep blue lakes and windswept plains. Wildflowers grow in hidden meadows, mountain goats walk among the craggy rocks, and glaciers hang in the high, brilliantly lit valleys. Some have called this the “Crown Jewel” of the National Park System. Located along the border of Canada, this park combines roughly 1,800 square miles of rugged peaks, glacially carved valleys and splendid water falls. In addition to this, it is also home to the grizzly bear, mountain goat, big horn sheep, moose, wolves and many other species of mammals.
Glacier National Park in Montana and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada (a.k.a. Waterton - Glacier International Peace Park) is perhaps the last vestige of pristine wilderness left among the national parks in the continental U.S. Un crowded and blessed with some of the world's most beautiful scenery, its 1.4 million acres of rugged landscape was sculpted eons ago by slow moving glaciers - 50 of which are active today. Wildlife abounds and the world's most scenic highway, The Going-To-The-Sun Road, cuts a swath through grand vistas.
Glacier Park Lodge
Our trip will begin at the famous Glacier Park Lodge which was completed in 1913. Its comfortable feel combined with some of the world's most spectacular scenery, makes Glacier Park Lodge a truly unique base camp. When the lodge was being constructed, Indians of the Blackfoot Nation became very impressed with the gigantic fir and cedar columns that were unloaded from flat cars. They called the lodge "Omahkoyis" which means Big Lodge. The Indians had a right to be impressed; there is no other building quite like it in the world.
The stately and historic lodges nestled in and around the park were primarily built in the early part of this century by the Great Northern Railroad.
Since these will be long summer days we will most likely have the time to enjoy this magical setting in first class comfort.
ŠTom Stotler 2005 St. Mary Lake
St. Mary Lake is the large lake on the eastern end of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Incredible mountain views greet the traveler to this scenic roadway. You'll see why native tribes referred to this, and Lower St. Mary Lake just outside the park, as the "Walled in Lakes."
Lake McDonald
Largest of the park's lakes, Lake McDonald is 10 miles long and just under 400 feet deep. From the foot of the lake at Apgar, the Continental Divide cuts a jagged path along the distant skyline.
Going-to-the-Sun road
The park is traversed from east to west by Going-to-the-Sun Road. A spectacular drive! The Going-to-the-Sun Road is an experience to remember. Bisecting the heart of Glacier, this 50 mile long road follows the shores of the park's two largest lakes and hugs the cliffs below the Continental Divide as it traverses Logan Pass. The construction of the Going-to-the-Sun Road was a huge undertaking. The final section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, over Logan Pass, was completed in 1932 after 11 years of work. The road is considered an engineering feat and is a National Historic Landmark. It is one of the most scenic roads in North America! You'll not believe the photo opts here!
Glaciers
Once the mountains were in place, wind, water, and glaciers went to work on the raw landscape. Glaciers shaped and carved the land, cutting deep U-shaped valleys. Smaller tributary glaciers created hanging valleys. Today abundant waterfalls plunge these hanging valleys to lower elevations. While glaciers are no longer found in Waterton Lakes National Park, glaciers are still at work in the high country of Glacier National Park.
Wildlife
Big horn sheep, mountain goats, wapiti, (elk), black bear, and whitetail and mule deer are frequently seen. Grizzly bear, moose, wolves and mule deer also live here all year. Waterton Lakes National Park maintains an exhibit herd of bison in a paddock. Beaver, hoary marmot, river otter, marten, and pika make Waterton/Glacier their home. Locally prevalent birds include osprey, ptarmigan, golden eagle, Clark's nutcracker, and Harlequin duck. The endangered bald eagle also nests and fishes here.
Who Is This Trip For?
This is a unique workshop:
- It’s for Singles and couples and most importantly, people that love to f-8 and be there!
- It’s a photography workshop and also a chance to make new friends
- It’s a traditional photography workshop.
It’s for you if:
- You like working in the field from sunrise to sunset.
- You Want to learn about landscape location and light.
- You want to learn about equipment and strategies used in landscape photography.
- You like traveling with like minded people, and making images and new friends.
This Workshop
This workshop is small by design. We will explore as much of this magnificent national park on foot or vehicle as possible. You can do as much or a little as you like. Sunrise and sunset opportunity will be a part of each day. Our days will be spent photographing in all parts of this vast area. It will allow for ALL levels of photographic experience. There will be no lectures or product endorsements. Personal instruction will be available at all times. The opportunity to photograph with the group will always be present.
Steve Kossack will lead this workshop with assistance from Tom Stotler.
Weather, Equipment, Etc.
Glacier's summer weather is as varied as its landscape. The western valleys generally receive the most rainfall, but daytime temperatures can exceed 90 degrees F. It is frequently 10 to 15 degrees cooler at higher elevations, like Logan Pass. Strong winds and sunny days often predominate on the east side of the park.
Overnight lows throughout the park can drop to near 20 degrees F, and snow can fall anytime. Prepare for a variety of weather conditions and pack accordingly. You may start the day in a T- shirt and shorts, and need a sweater or parka by evening. Dress in layers. Always bring rain gear! Tips on what to bring will be provided before our workshop.
August: Average Rainfall 1.30” Avg Hi Temp 79 °F Avg Low 47 °F
You can do this trip with any format or type of gear. Digital or film and at any level of experience. A tripod is of course a must. Tips on gear will be available before the workshop.
The Schedule
©Tom Stotler 2005
You will need 5 days; 2 of them are weekend days:
Saturday August 5 , 2006
Arrive Great Falls Montana by midday. Transportation to all locations, including the return to Great Falls on Wednesday is provided. A sunset shoot if travel times permit.
Sunday August 6 - Tuesday August 8, 2006
Our trip will begin at the famous Glacier Park Lodge which was completed in 1913. Its comfortable feel combined with some of the world's most spectacular scenery, makes Glacier Park Lodge a truly unique base camp.
From our home base at the lodge, we will travel to different points within the park to take opportunity of the early morning light as it breaks over the tops of the 9,500 foot peaks. Each day after our full mornings of shooting we will embark on hikes to get the full experience of the natural wonders held within the park boundaries. These hikes will consist of easy gentle grades that will take us past some of the parks wonderful landscapes. We will hike each day. Most of the hikes will be of 8 miles or less in length round trip and consume between 4 to 5 hours of our day. Most of the terrain is easy and gentle with slight elevation gain and loss. We will be hiking the valleys and along the lakes. Trails for the most part are easy, well marked and dry in normal conditions. We will be driving to our sunrise shoots as well as our sunset locations. We will hike some spectacular trails in-between. A boat will be used to get to one of our trail heads.
We will be exploring and photographing the well traveled as well as some great remote locations. The opportunity to share with the group and it's instructors will always be present. A print discussion will be a part of our workshop as well.
In addition to this spectacular location this trip will coincide with the full moon as it breaks over the eastern horizon and sets as the sun rises. This will provide us with the opportunity to capture some unique images of this lunar event with the grand Glacier Park as our backdrop.
At the end of each great day , a complete description of the following day’s events will be provided. On most of the hikes, we will be taking a sack lunch to eat at our leisure while gazing at the high country. Questions about equipment and provisions will be answered each evening.
Wednesday August 9, 2006
A sunrise shoot (dependant on departure times) and our return trip to the Great Falls airport.
Please Remember
Our workshops are different! Our days will begin long before sunrise and we will be out photographing this special place until well after sunset. Summer days are long and we will have adequate time for photography, food and fun. This workshop will take place regardless of weather conditions, weather is what we hope to photograph! A clothing and gear suggestion list will be available prior to our workshop.
The Cost
The cost of this trip is U.S. $2495. This includes all transportation to and from all shooting locations as well as pick up and drop off at The Great Falls Montana airport. You are responsible for your own travel arrangements to and from Great Falls. Your Lodge accommodations are included. All Rooms are shared (2 participants to a room). Private rooms on a limited basis are $800 additional.
Although we will most likely eat our meals together, sometimes a break is nice. Therefore, you will be responsible for the cost of your own meals.
Our workshops are a "door to door" experience from arrival to departure. Bring film and /or bytes & food money and we'll take care of the rest. The workshop fee of $2495 will be required when you register. If you need to cancel, a full refund (less $200) will be available, but only if a replacement for you can be found in time.
If we have to cancel the trip for any reason you will receive a full refund. With very limited availability, this workshop is bound to fill quickly.
Register for this workshop today!
For more info please e-mail Steve Kossack at f8andbethere@cableone.net or telephone Steve at 1-928-634-8071