Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography Workshop - roommate

[coolcin99]

Hi! I would like to attend the Grandfather Mountain Nature Photography Workshop. I was hoping to find someone to share a room with (female) to share expenses. Also someone to hang out with and photograph with. My better half doesn't really want to attend but I would love to go. I love hiking so a full day of photography would be great!

If anyone has been to this can you tell me anything about it. Did anyone try camping?

Thanks! :)

[epayne]

Hi Cindy,

The Nature Photography Weekend is a wonderful event and one of only two times annually that camping is allowed on the mountain. The camping is in the picnic area which is about 1/3 of the way up the road in. There are restrooms but no shower facilities as it is not technically a campground.

As to motel accommodations many of us have stayed at the Pixie Inn which is at the intersection of highway 220 and 105. They are closed for the season until late March / early April and likely have their phone disconnected. This ia a family run motel dating from the late 1950's which does not even accept credit cards. The rooms are spartan / basic and for the amount they charge not a bad value for a bed and shower. It is the closest accommodations to the Grandfather Mountain gate. More modern lodging is available in nearby Banner Elk.

The Weekend typically starts on Friday evening and closes with the contest winners announcements on Sunday morning. Many come up on Thursday night so they have all day Friday to scout locations to shoot shoot for the contest, as the entries must be turned in by 3:00PM on Saturday afternoon. Photos must be shot on the GFM property or of the mountain from a distant location. You will want to take a laptop or make plans to share with someone for editing your images. You can enter up to 3 in the various categories. Here is a link to information regarding the contest.

http://www.grandfather.com/pdf/2010_npw_rules.pdf

One of the pluses of the weekend is being allowed access to the mountain top for sunrise opportunities on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

There will be quite a few of the Charlotte CNPA members there if past history is any indication. We typically try to have a group dinner on Friday evening. Saturday evening is a buffet that is provided by the GFM staff.

And the most important piece of advice I can offer.

Be sure to be online early on April 1th to sign up as the event typically fills up within a couple of hours. There are only 165 seats in the auditorium and they go fast.

Looking forward to seeing you there,

Edgar Payne
Charlotte Region

[debrown]

I think the registration is April 1 NOT Mar 1.

[epayne]

Thanks Don,
You are right it is April first and the form typically goes on line at midnight.
I will correct my initial post.
Edgar Payne

[rvranek]

Is there a link to their website for registration?

[epayne]

Bob,

There will be a registration link on their website on April First. No sooner.

Edgar Payne
Charlotte Region