Sixtyone North founder Dave Taylor has just announced a new photo tour to the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. The tour, titled “Aurora Borealis, Winter Landscapes & Wildlife” will kick off on 26 March 2011 and end on the 31st. Participants will be staying in a lodge deep in the wilderness of Alaska, just south of the Alaska Range. As the name of the tour suggests, the northern lights will be the main focus of the tour, in addition to landscapes and Alaskan wildlife. The cost per participant is $2250; which covers 5 nights of accommodation in the lodge, meals and transportation while on tour, and tuition. Transportation to Anchorage is not included. The first $1150 is payable upon registration, while the remaining $1100 is due on 1 February 2011.

Press Release

Sixtyone North Announces Epic Alaskan Photo Tour

Join photographer David Taylor, of Sixtyone North, on an amazing one-of-a-kind photo “AdvenTour” into the heart of Alaskan wilderness in search of “Aurora Borealis, Winter Landscapes & Wildlife.”

Imagine yourself, standing atop snow covered tundra, mountains all around. It is night. The stars twinkle overhead in the crystal clear sky. The silence is deafening. Nothing is moving. The only light pollution comes from the glow of your camera LCD screens. It is nearly absolute darkness. You are with the only photographers for over 100 miles in every direction. Your tripod is positioned, wide angle lens on. Sipping on hot cocoa or coffee… waiting…

It is subtle at first… a light wisp of color on the horizon. It might have been your imagination… or was it?

No. There it is again.

And it is building. Feathery greens licking softly at the horizon, pulsating and rising higher over the mountains.

Then it lurches. Ripples and waves wash over the sky above. Undulating colors and patterns arcing across the sky. The intensity of the aurora builds, greens shift to purples, then to cherry reds.

Some say, if you listen very carefully, you can hear the static of the aurora borealis. More than likely, all you hear will be shutters clicking and happy sighs of a small group of amazed photographers. There is a good reason why the Travel Channel put this at the top of their list of “100 Things to See Before You Die”. The northern lights (or aurora borealis) is an extraordinary phenomenon, unrivaled in all of nature.

We will be staying at an amazing lodge deep in the pristine wilderness of Alaska. From our doorstep, we will have immediate access to vast open spaces and a wide variety of wild life. The lodge lies nearly 70 miles into the wilderness, just south of the Alaska Range. We will enjoy warm accommodations and hospitality at our home for the next 5 nights. Great meals, and comfortable beds. Not to mention exclusive photography access to the region!

24-6 access to the heated track vehicles will allow us transportation whenever the conditions call. By early April, the temperatures are finally warming up after the deep cold of another Alaskan winter. It will still be quite cool though, so we will have plenty of blankets and hot drinks to hold us over. Be aware, we will be spending a great deal of time outside the lodge - in the field and in the track-ATV - you will be out in the elements. Correct clothing and attitude are required.

The night sky is not the only draw to this region though. Winter light in Alaska can be absolutely stunning! We will watch for prime sunrise and set conditions, with the warm colors washing over snow draped mountain landscapes. Alpenglow and direct crimson light turns 8,000 foot peaks into brilliant candelabra - dotting the landscape all around. We will also look for the hearty wildlife that calls this their winter home. Caribou, moose, fox, wolf, arctic hare and yes - even wolverine. So don’t leave those long lenses at home!

The aurora can be an elusive subject. Of course, mostly clear skies are needed, as well as solar winds interacting with the earth’s atmosphere. There can be no guarantee of northern lights, but we are timing our trip to coincide with the historical seasonal peak of aurora activity as well as the clearest skies of the year. The solar cycle is ramping up again, and aurora activity is projected to increase - both in frequency and intensity. This is going to be one heck of an experience. Should we get “uncooperative” weather conditions, we will focus on digital darkroom techniques and catch up on our lost sleep;)

The key to any trip to Alaska is to embrace what the weather throws at you. And we will do just that.

This is going to be an extraordinary winter adventure, based at one of the peak activity locations for northern lights. Surround yourself with a few other hearty adventure photography seekers. It’s time to witness the amazing phenomenon that is the aurora borealis. It’s time to push your photography and portfolio to new levels. This isn’t a photo safari, it’s an AdvenTour.

It’s time to experience Alaska’s Wild Lands & Wild Life.

What’s Included:

  * All lodging while on tour at one of the most remote aurora viewing locations. Single Occupancy.
  * Transportation while on tour, from Anchorage to our lodge and back to Anchorage. Track vehicle access while on location.
  * All meals while on tour.
  * 24-6 Photography guide and instruction.
  * Snowshoes while on tour.
  * The Adventour of a Lifetime.

What’s Not Included:

  * Camera gear (gear is available for rental at incredible discount, inquire if interested)
  * Winter clothing (you will receive a list of NEEDED gear upon signup)
  * Transportation/lodging/meals outside of the tour. We recommend you arrive in Anchorage at least 1 day before the tour.

This tour needs 3 participants to occur. Maximum of 6 clients.

Investment - $2,250 per participant

Deposit due at registration - $1150. Deposits are non-refundable, unless your seat can be filled after cancellation.

The remaining $1100 due February 1st, 2011.

Please visit the Sixtyone North website for more information and to enroll, seats are filling quickly!

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