Hocking Hills State Park, OH
February 20 - 22, 2018
The Hocking Hills is one of the Midwest’s most scenic locales, and is legendary for its idyllic gorges and sandstone rock formations. Mid-winter is an extremely photogenic time in the Hocking Hills, as the evergreen hemlock trees punctuate rocky cliffs and crags with color. Ice formations in streams and waterfalls can be spectacular. We’ll visit some of the biggest and best gorges, rockhouses, and cliffs, and perhaps some little known waterfalls and canyons. If weather permits, we can shoot astrophotgraphy – stars and star trails, Milky Way, etc. The John Glenn Astronomy Park is conveniently located near our location, and clear winter nights offer gorgeous star-studded skies.
Base Camp
We’ll be based at a hotel conveniently located in nearby Logan, a short distance from all the photo locations.
Itinerary
Day 1
We’ll rendezvous at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, February 20th for a meet/greet and discussion about the itinerary. Following, we will head to some local scenic hotspots and shoot until dark. The group will reconvene for dinner and discussion. If sky conditions are right, we will head out to a spot for astrophotography.
Day 2
After breakfast, Wednesday will be entirely devoted to shooting the best scenic offerings of the Hocking Hills, beginning with sunrise and finishing with sunset. Dinner as a group followed by possible astrophotography if sky conditions are right. (Breakfast at hotel included)
Day 3
Following breakfast on Thursday, we’ll hit a few more spots and conclude the workshop by noon. (Breakfast at hotel included)
Itinerary includes
- Photo instructions, guidance and field techniques
- Snacks and water in the field
- Breakfast at hotel
- Critiques upon request
- Editing instruction
Itinerary does not include
- Transportation to and from and within the Hocking Hills. Carpooling is encouraged during the workshop.
- Lodging
- Dinners and lunchs
- Items of a personal nature
Weather and other conditions
The average February high is 37F, and the low is 19F, so be prepared for cold. Ice and snow are to be expected. While we welcome frozen water in all its forms, as it creates wonderful landscapes, care must be taken on the trails and good boots are a must. There will be a fair bit of hiking, but mostly on level trails. There will be some inclines and declines, and possibly some staircases to negotiate. The longest trek would probably be no more than a mile, and most forays would be shorter.
Interesting natural history highlights
Various winter botany such as old seed pods, at least five species of conifers, evergreen ferns. Notable birds might include black vulture, red-shouldered hawk, barred owl, wild turkey, six woodpecker species including the spectacular pileated woodpecker, and numerous species of songbirds. White-tailed deer and other mammals are likely, and there is a possibility of bizarre winter insects such as snow fleas and snow scorpion flies. As always, we will learn LOTS about the area’s natural history during the course of the workshop. The more we know about natural history, the better nature photographers we become!
Enrollment Information
Deposit and Full Payment
All prices are quoted in US dollars and all payments must be paid in US dollars. Deposits can be made using a Visa, MasterCard or American Express credit card. Final payment for your trip is due 90 days prior to departure.
1 and 3 day workshops- full payment, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to reserve your spot.
4 days+ tours – your deposit, Registration Form and Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form are required to hold your spot. The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. If you sign up for a tour within 90 days of departure, the entire amount is due when you register.
Cancellations and Refunds
We understand that unforeseen events may come up and prevent you from attending the workshop/tour. If you need to cancel, we must receive written notification. Refunds will be processed according to these schedules:
One and three-day workshops (full payment paid in advance)
- 30 days or more prior to the first day of the event - we will provide a refund of the registration fee for the workshop (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees).
- 29 days or less prior to the first day of the event – we will issue you a refund of the registration fee for the workshop (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees) if your vacancy is filled.
- 29 days or less prior to the first day of the event – if we cannot fill your vacancy, we will issue you a 50% refund (less 6% of the total for administration and credit card fees).
If for some reason an event is cancelled, you will receive a full refund of the registration fee. However, we cannot be responsible for any non-refundable travel expenses you may have incurred.
Tours longer than three-days (deposit paid in advance and final payment paid 120 days prior):
- 121+ days prior to departure – refunded less 6% for administration and fees
- 120 to 90 days prior to departure – refunded 50%
- 90 days or less prior to departure – NO REFUND
No partial refunds for unused services, lodging, meals, etc. Trips are sold as a package only.
Travel Insurance
Travel protection insurance is recommended to protect your investment. Travelguard.com and allianztravelinsurance.com are 2 options that provide various types of coverage options.
In the unlikely event that the trip is canceled due to insufficient enrollment, your money will be refunded in full, with the exception of expenses you personally incurred while preparing for the trip.
Health Considerations
Most of our trips will involve elements of physical activity easily accomplished by the average person in good health. While some of our locations are near a road or parking lot, some are not. PLEASE be sure you are comfortable walking over uneven rocky terrain with your gear for 30 – 45 minutes at a time. We may shoot at all hours of the day and night (we try to take advantage of the best weather and light conditions), which may not be typical for some participants. Specific considerations are included in the description of each workshop/tour.
Medical circumstances or emergencies do not constitute grounds for exception to the cancellation policy. Therefore, trip cancellation and interruption insurance is recommended.
Smoking is not permitted in group vehicles, during meals, and at other times when secondhand smoke can affect the health and comfort of others.
Costs
Information about what is included/not included are summarized in the individual descriptions of each workshop/tour.
Trips that include overnight accommodations will be double occupancy. You will be charged the single supplement fee if you request a single room.
Because of deposits forwarded and liabilities incurred by Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac with hotels, local guides, transportation, etc. no partial refunds will be given for unused rooms, meals, transportation, etc.
Weather policy
We are at the mercy of Mother Nature. Locations have been scouted and options are in place in case of uncooperative weather. Without putting participants at risk, the workshop will commence rain or shine, cold or warm, clear skies or cloudy. Refunds will not be issued because of the weather.
Responsibility
Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac Photography act only as agents for the client in regard to travel including, but not limited to, sightseeing, meals, lodging, transportation, and all other services whether by railroad, motorcar, motor coach, boat, ship or aircraft and they assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason of defect in any vehicle or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the trip.
Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac Photography can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, volcanic eruption, terrorist acts, political unrest, quarantine or other causes. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as trip fees provide for arrangements only for the times and locations stated. Baggage is at the owner's risk entirely.
The right is reserved to 1) substitute hotels of similar category for those indicated and to make any changes in the itinerary or transport where deemed necessary, or caused by changes in air schedules or equipment substitution; 2) cancel any trip prior to departure, in which case full refund of the paid trip funds will be given, but Debbie DiCarlo Photography and Jim McCormac are not responsible for any other trip preparation expenses such as penalized or non-refundable air tickets, visa fees and medical related expenses; 3) substitute trip leader(s) for the leader(s) originally specified, in which case the substitution is not a basis for participant cancellation or refund other than provided by our normal cancellation policy.
Trip prices are based on tariffs and exchange rates in effect at the time of publication and are subject to adjustment in the event of any change therein.
The Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks forms must be signed by each participant prior to the commencement of the trip. Participation by any trip member will be declined in the absence of the signed Registration Form and the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks, with no trip fee refund. No modification of the Release of Liability and Assumption of all Risks form will be accepted.
