ALASKA EXPEDITION 2010

“Dub I have that issue already resolved with other methods of securing misc foods.”

“b-b-but I really wanted an excuse to buy an SLR
:(”

“Well, it'd be a good excuse to get one but we didn't have time to stop and setup shots so it'd just be a heavy P&S...if I ever go back with Fridge and that's a big IF then I'll be bringing a high quality P&S. The biggest thing with the SLR you either have a crappy lens that covers some of the range you want (wide and long) or just one range such as wide unless you bring multiple lenses. A good quality P&S such as the higher end Canons are made with quality glass and shoot wide to extremely long. They do everything an SLR can do you just don't have the ability to switch lenses or dial in your settings as quickly.”

“dub/ I may do a base camp trip one year taking crampons and other gear to try and summit either Gordon or Jarvis. Have the bush pilot fly in a truck load of fire wood. That would be a good trip with that 15,000 dollar camera equipement you have.”

“I am only bringing my Canon sx110 IS weighs 10.2 oz.”

“Tango that must be the heaviest piece of gear you have besides pack tent and bag.”

“Ha ha funny!”

“Taze me babay”

“Don't Taze me Sister!”

“Tango, I had my SX10IS, if I would have had more training, I'm sure I could have had many pics that would match the high end cameras that were along for the trip last year. I zoomed in on a rock that Dub had taken a shot of and the image was very similar. The rest of his and others had much better shots, I just used the auto function on mine. I need to take a little more interest in photography I guess.”

“Les Stroud is in AK now on Survivorman on the Science channel right now!”

“Duane, you just need to learn how to choose the propery ISO manually (lower = more light, less grain, better photos I use 50-100 for bright, 200 for kinda bright, 400 for cloudy and stars at night) for the setting you are shooting and then how to control the aperture for your desired result, takes practice and lots of it. I would recommend getting off the auto setting an start shooting in AV mode. Rember....lower number for shallow depth of field for animals, people (like f2.8) and higher number, deeper depth of field for groups (3.5-5.6) and even higher for landscape f8 and more. Higher the aperture such as 8.0 means slower shutter speed so depending on light conditions you may need a small tripod, I recommend the gorillapod. Yes, it's a few extra ounces but it would improve your photos especially when DOF is concerned which is what you need on landscapes.

“dub/ I may do a base camp trip one year taking crampons and other gear to try and summit either Gordon or Jarvis. Have the bush pilot fly in a truck load of fire wood. That would be a good trip with that 15,000 dollar camera equipement you have.”
Refrigerator


If that was the case with our trip I wouldn't leave the SLR at home. On our trip we had to keep moving, no time to stop for photos, and my camera, lenses, tripods, batteries, etc all weighed 10lbs extra. On day trips it would be no big deal. However, I prefer to wake up somewhere different everyday so I'm not a fan of basecamping but you're right, if you do that kind of a trip an SLR with good optics would be awesome.

The problem with SLR's is that most people think that just because they have a more expensive camera they can get better photos but that's not the case. In fact, the kit lens that comes with SLR's is worse than the many P&S lenses and limits you to a very small range. The kind of camera you have means nothing if you don't have time to setup a shot and compose it correctly and having a very limited, low quality lens just makes it that much worse. Not to discourage anyone, you can get good photos with those lenses, you're just limited in what you can do.

I had my lobster photo published in the paper awhile back and it was taken with a 3mp camera phone. If you're not willing to buy a good quality lens for an SLR then its basically a big P&S with more buttons. Of course you have to start your camera gear collection somewhere.

I say buy used first and then upgrade. I have a 20D (backup SLR) I got off Craigslist for $250 ($1500 new) and a 24-70mm f/2.8 L lens I got for around $600 ($1200 new) and I can shoot more situations and better photos than a person with a new 50D and a kit lens ($1500) and I only spent $850.”

“Park service will be releasing 7 Grizz's at Tumble Creek drainage this spring and that's exactly where we are going. I love it.
Too bad Gojo can't go”

“Are these killer grizzlies out on parole?”

“Yes”

“When we summit Nipple Knob there will be 2 hugh caves approx. 200 meters east of us facing the Jacksina creek. We watched this with binocs last year noticing several game trails leading in and out. Dub at one point noticed something hugh sleeping at the entrance of one of the caves. There is no way you could get down to the caves too steep of a slope unless you rope up. It was obvious that game was using the caves. When we fly into Mt Jarvis you will be able too see this from the air as you pass over Jacksina and Tumble creek on your right at what you will obviously notice Nipple Knob.”

“I've seen my griz - remember? I'm thankful I was able to absorb every second of the encounter with full attention on the remarkable moment that it was instead of occupying myself with fumbling for a gun or tazer or spray. I'm not saying you would be as inefficient at I in that situation. Your likely well enough rehearsed that you could have emptied your clip at him.

Remember:
"Aim small, miss small".”

“What Fridge said was true. I think I have picture of it. It was kind of erie because we setup camp then noticed the caves a mile away on the mountainside. This is the main reason why at least a few of you in the group should have some binoculars and good quality ones. That's stuck in my mind more than anything else on that trip...well, besides pushing through brush at the creekside at camp 4 with signs of griz activity all around, pretty creepy.”

“We couldn't tell what left the scat. No bear bells or pepper spray cans to determine if it be bear or griz.:)”

“Yea and Gojo didn't get the high we had. Too busy watching TV GRIZZ from a safe distance.”

“Those binocs Chin brought along was darn good ones too.”

“Weigh my pack today fully loaded with everything except water. Past trip has 2008 at 72.3 lbs, 2009 at 64.7 lbs and now 2010 at 39.4 lbs. Including 44 magnum, 12 rounds and no bear spray. Ultra light gear rocks and the cost is ridiculous.”

“Hey Fridge, the others won't have a chance now, even more so. I'll see what I can do to get one of your western team members in shape, if she'll tell me when a April trip is, then I can see if I can go and put her thru the paces.”

“This years trip will be easier. Most of our footing will be on solid ground except for the last 2 miles of Tussock.”

“You mean the last six with tussock in eastern miles. ;-)”

“Fridgey, You almost cut that pack weight in half!!! Amazing! You will skipping down the trail!

Fridge which trip choice is that? Plan A, B or C?”

“Plan A Tango. Yo Dub yep your right...shhhh don' say anything.”

“Tango you have mail.”

“What kinda socks?”

“MarkO why don't you do this one with us.”

“.......cause I be busted.

I will spend my available time and limited funds visiting #2 son in Oregon this summer.”

“is #2 son the Backpacker?”

“Yes, he is and we will do a bit of backpacking out there somewhere in Oregon or Washington.”

“Why don't the 2 of you fly up to AK from there....should be cheap.”

“I don't know, Buster.”

“well buster lets do it. You will set a life time experiences with your son and where else to do it at. Alaska over a nice cold Alaskan Ale.”

“Do it, MarkO, Do it!!!”

“DO IT buster.”

“Do ya really think so, Jasper?”

“yes vern.”

“I must check with Horace, Jasper.”

“Let me know vern soon”

“Smallest Backpack I own is now going to Alaska. Those youngins of today has convinced me to go light. 3800 cu inches Granite Gear Nimbus FZ”

“Marko!! Pleeeeeese come along!!”

“Dang it Jasper, it just ain't lookin' good.”

“yo Tango, a package has been mailed out to ya.”

“Thank an ounce Fridge! (It's way better than thanks a ton!!!)”

“Yur welcome

Greg I have recieved your deposit and you have mail.”

“Just saw this pic.


”

“Edit function is not working for me. This is the caption to the above pic.

Squall 2's in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, AK
Mike Paradis &
Bill Stacy”