Be Prepared!

We'll certainly photograph waterfalls during our brief High Peaks tour. Are we packing the right tools?

As a life-long Scout and Scouter (Boy Scout and Scouter that is) these two simple words seem to have always been part of my life. That’s true, even though I often don’t think of the Scout Motto  for long periods. Still, there are occasions when the motto comes surging back with a vengeance.

Today is one of those days, I’m happy to say. Today I wrapped up the “day job” workload to open-up my schedule to final preparations for next weeks Adirondack High Peaks photo tour/workshop. Taking time to “Be Prepared” is what many of us fail to do as well and we might.

For example, if someone is going to participate in a photo tour/workshop such as next week’s, it’s wise to do several things, all of which take some time. It’s important, for example, to take time to make at least a short list of what you’d like take away from the tour – skills, techniques, specific image compositions, experience with new technologies, etc.

Being prepared also means taking time, with your list close at hand, to take a close look at your camera gear. If you expect to be shooting panoramic images, do you have everything you’ll need – tripod, focusing rail, appropriate lenses, spirit level?

If you’ll be shooting waterfalls – what about neutral density and polarizing filters? If want to bring home close-up, taking time to remember to pack extension tubes, maybe a reversing ring, or your macro lens will be worth the preparation time.

As is the case with our upcoming trek in the Adirondack High Peaks, we’ll be hiking several miles each day. Therefore we want to prepare by being certain we have the ability to carry and/or purify water.

We won't be kayaking, but someone always finds a close-up image they can capture from the shore of a mountain pond... if they are prepared.

Hiking, especially in summer weather, can demand more calories than normal, so being prepared will also take into consideration nutrition.

Through all the Adirondack backpacking and camping I’ve done over the past 30-plus years, being prepared for good nutrition has been right up on the top of my preparation list. Okay, being prepared to eat, and eat well, has been on top.

On the trail we have to think light, especially when most participants will carry packs heavy with camera gear. They’ll still need to carry rain gear, water, first aid kit, and food (lunch and at least one snack). That’s where my preparations will begin tomorrow. Planning for a trail lunch and two snacks (one for mid-morning and another for mid-afternoon). I’ll share the plan in my next post.

If we head into the mountains, prepared for a photo tour, we'll be able to enjoy a restful sunset.

As usual I always welcome your comments and other input.