Banff Photography Adventures 🥾

🥾 WEST COAST TRAIL (Vancouver Island) Backpacking Photo Adventure – May 18th-24th, 2024 📷

What to expect

A wild remote Vancouver Island adventure that has become as equally world renowned for it’s challenges as for its natural scenery. One of the most epic trails you will ever do, quite simply the hike of a lifetime! Beach camping, waterfalls spilling into the ocean, diverse land and marine life, old growth forest & what feels like a massive obstacle course (approximately 70 ladders, 130 bridges & 4 cable car crossings) that you can only shake your head at in disbelief sometimes. The trail was originally built in 1907 to facilitate the rescue of shipwreck survivors and it passes through the territory of the Huu-ay-aht, Ditidaht, and Pacheedaht First Nations, who have long used this coast as a travel corridor.

A moderate-high level of fitness is required. Walking distances of between 7 – 16km per day with sometimes awkward uneven trail, rocks, ladders, rivers, cable car crossings, mud as well as many ups and downs to negotiate. You will need to be able to carry your camping gear, food & camera with you for the full 75km. It is going to be something you will remember forever! Our group size is limited to 6 participants to keep our impact low and to maximize the experience, both with regards to photography and your enjoyment.

Participants will need to bring their own gear, along with food for the duration of the trip. Packing recommendations will be provided. It is a great way to unplug, get off the grid and connect with the outdoors since there is no cell reception for 7 days!

I am a licensed guide in Pacific Rim National Park with current first aid and advanced wilderness first aid certifications & have taken prior coastal backpacking trips on the West Coast of Vancouver Island, including this one. We have emergency response devices and an emergency response plan to execute if necessary. This backpacking trip is suitable for those with a moderate-high level of fitness and prior experience backpacking although we are here to guide you safely through every step of the way (including with pre-trip preparation if you are newer to backpacking or if you have any concerns at all).

A minimum number of 2 participants is required and if this is not met we reserve the right to cancel the trip and a full refund will be provided.

Pricing includes your West Coast Trail permit, shuttle bus reservation, the two ferry crossings on the trail, National Park entry fees, a meal at the famous crab shack, 1 night in a shared cabin on the trail to complement the other 5 nights of beach camping, 1v1 photography instruction throughout the trip, and a professional ACMG/IGA Hiking Guide.

🥾 Lake O’Hara Hike + Photo Adventures 📷

What to expect

A full day! We meet before 8am in the Lake O’Hara car park so as to catch the 8.30am bus to Lake O’Hara. We will then spend the day exploring and photographing along the incredible trail system built by the Lake O’Hara Trail Club and Lawrence Grassi, returning to catch one of the last two buses of the day out.

A moderate level of fitness is required. Our walking distance will range from 6 – 10km with an elevation gain & loss of approximately 300 metres to reach the different areas in the region at an easy going pace with many stops throughout. We will make sure to pack our bags with lunch, water, snacks, & weather appropriate clothing along with our camera gear so making some lens & tripod sacrifices might be in order to keep the weight of our packs reasonable. Hiking boots are essential and poles are highly recommended.

I am a licensed professional guide with current first aid and advanced wilderness first aid certifications & have taken many prior trips in to the Lake O’Hara region. This workshop is suitable for all levels of photography experience as there will be many one on one opportunities throughout our time together. I will be by your side providing all that I know and love about landscape photography.

The group size is limited to 5 participants.

More information is available by contacting the us here. We look forward to hearing from you!

🥾 Tonquin Valley Backpacking Photo Adventure 📷 (Sept 14-17, 2024)

What to expect

This is a one of a kind Tonquin Valley photography adventure. We will visit Jasper National Park’s most special backcountry location with iconic lakeside views of the Rampart mountains, have potential opportunities to see wildlife in it’s natural environment, stay in a historical hut, and experience true wilderness where the photos will be hard earned, uncommon and memorable.

A moderate-high level of fitness is required. Walking distances of between 10 – 18km per day with elevation gains of approximately 300 metres per day to reach the different areas in the region. You will need to be able to carry your camera gear & any necessities with you over these distances. A small group size limited to 6 participants to keep our impact low and maximize your learning experience through our photography instruction & mentoring.

This is a hut based adventure staying at the Wates Gibson Hut. Participants will need to bring their own gear, along with food for the duration of our stay. Packing recommendations will be provided. It is a great way to unplug, get off the grid and connect with the outdoors! Note: You will need to purchase an ACC membership to stay at the hut if booking before June 14th, which we recommend. The cost is $38.

I am a licensed guide in the Tonquin Valley area with current first aid and advanced wilderness first aid certifications & have taken many prior trips into the region. This adventure is suitable for all levels of photography experience as there will be many one on one opportunities throughout our time together. I will be by your side providing all that I know and love about landscape photography.

Pricing includes the 3 night hut reservation, 1v1 photography instruction throughout the trip, and a professional ACMG/IGA Hiking Guide.

More information is available by contacting the us here. We look forward to hearing from you!

🥾 Skoki Backpacking Photo Adventure 📷 (Sept 20-22, 2024)

What to expect

Alpine lakes, wide open views, pristine wilderness, a beautiful trail system, wildflowers, wildlife, and if it’s clear, the opportunity to photograph the night sky from right by our campsite. There will be many unique photographic opportunities depending on when the trip is – spring, summer or fall.

A moderate level of fitness is required. Walking distances of between 10 – 14km per day with elevation gains of approximately 600 metres per day to reach the different areas in the region. You will need to be able to carry your camera gear & any necessities with you over these distances. A small group size limited to 6 participants to keep our impact low and maximize your learning experience through our photography instruction & mentoring.

This is a camping based adventure staying at one of the many scenic campsites within the Skoki region. Participants will need to bring their own gear, along with food for the duration of our stay. Packing recommendations will be provided. It is a great way to unplug, get off the grid and connect with the outdoors!

We are licensed to guide in the Banff National Park backcountry with current first aid and advanced wilderness first aid certifications & have taken many prior trips into the Skoki region. This workshop is suitable for all levels of photography experience as there will be many one on one opportunities throughout our time together. I will be by your side providing all that I know and love about landscape photography.

Pricing includes your camping or hut reservation, 1v1 photography instruction throughout the trip, and a professional ACMG/IGA Hiking Guide.

More information is available by contacting the us here. We look forward to hearing from you!

🥾 Taylor Lake Larch Hike + Photo Adventure 📷

Hike to the golden larch trees & a stunning alpine lake during peak fall colour in this less visited area of Banff National Park!

Event Cost: $295 + GST

Date: TBD

What to expect

Meet at Castle Junction at 7am to photograph sunrise before convoying to the Taylor Lake trail head. From there its steadily uphill on a forested trail to reach the shores of Taylor Lake where we can enjoy peak fall colours scattered around this spectacular alpine lake nestled into a cirque between Mt Bell & Panorama Ridge. Snow is common at this time of year at this elevation and it can be breathtaking combined with the golden larch trees and enticing green waters!

A moderate-to-high level of fitness is required. Our walking distance will be 14km round-trip with an elevation gain & loss just over 600 metres to complete the out-and-back trail at an easy going pace with many stops throughout. We will make sure to pack our bags with lunch, water, snacks, & weather appropriate clothing along with our camera gear so making some lens & tripod sacrifices might be in order to keep the weight of our packs reasonable. Hiking boots are essential and poles are highly recommended.

I am a licensed professional guide with current first aid and advanced wilderness first aid certifications & have taken many prior trips up to Taylor Lake. This day is suitable for all levels of photography experience as there will be many one on one opportunities throughout our time together. I will be by your side providing all that I know and love about landscape photography.

The group size is limited to 8 participants (discounts are available for multi-person bookings).

More information is available by contacting the us here. We look forward to hearing from you!

🥾 Floe Lake Larch Hike/Camp/Photo Adventure 📷

Hike to the golden larch trees & a stunning alpine lake during peak fall colour on this multi-day backcountry photo adventure camping at Floe Lake.

Event Cost: $750 + GST

Date: No dates scheduled in 2024

What to expect

Join me at Floe Lake in Kootenay National Park on a 2 night hiking/camping wilderness photography adventure!

This is a remote backpacking trip location with the most scenically spectacular campsite I’ve ever stayed in right on the edge of Floe Lake. It is well worth the uphill hike which is 10.5km with 800m elevation gain one way. You will need to carry all of your gear with you in a large pack which will include all of your camping gear, food & camera equipment. For this reason you will need to watch the amount of gear that you bring and prioritize lightweight items. I will be able to assist you with what to bring and how to pack. Contact me for an example packing list.

I recommend that you have a reasonable level of fitness, or work towards it over the course of the summer if you are thinking about joining. No camping experience is necessary, however experience carrying a backpack with gear for a few hours at a time and broken in hiking boots will ensure that you will be comfortable on this trip. The hike in is around 4-5 hours, and coming out is around 3 hours as we are hiking downhill. Slow and steady with lots of stops! These times vary depending on many different factors so are a rough guide only. Once we are there we will have a base from which to take only the necessities with us and to enjoy the area.

The campsite is located among the yellow larch trees which will be firing on our trip dates! We will explore all around the camp and also up towards Numa Pass on the second day to find some of the many compositions available. I can’t wait to guide you to one of the most amazing places in the Canadian Rockies!

Pricing includes your camping reservation, 1v1 photography instruction throughout the trip, and a professional ACMG/IGA Hiking Guide.

More information is available by contacting the us here. We look forward to hearing from you!