Backpacking in New Mexico -- Photo Advice and Tips Wanted

[Lucky Forward]

Next week I’m going on a ten-day backpacking trip on the Philmont Boy Scout ranch in New Mexico. My nephew is a scout, and he and my brother invited me along on the trip, and I jumped at the chance because of the photographic opportunities it will offer. I bought a 100-400L a few weeks ago specifically for this trip so I’ll be ready for any wildlife we encounter. We’ll cover about sixty miles over ten days.

We’ve done a few weekend shakedown backpacking trips along the Appalachian Trail in Maryland, as well as a visit to Chincoteague, Virginia and things went pretty well and I got some nice shots. I plan to do a mix of landscape, wildlife, and people photos on this trip, and I will do most of my “serious” photography in the early morning and evening. Over the years I’ve been photographing, I’ve mostly done scenic/landscape photography, so I’m pretty new to wildlife photography. Here’s a list of the equipment I’ll be bringing, I’d appreciate any advice or tips you can share about backpacking and shooting in the field, especially with regards to wildlife photography.

Canon 20D
17-85 IS
100-400L IS
CF Cards (2 x 2gig, 1 x 1gig)
3 Battery packs
Manfrotto 676B Monopod
Remote Shutter Release
Hoya Polarizer
Cokin Blue/Yellow Polarizer
Lens Cleaner, Tissue, and Blower
QR Plates for the 20D and 100-400L

Of course I’d love to bring my tripod, but I’m pushing it with the weight already (the 100-400L is pretty heavy for backpacking). Anything else I should be bringing photo-wise, keeping weight limitations in mind?

And a specific question: Is there any advantage to using the remote release when the camera is on a monopod, or should I not bother?

[cfcRebel]

Wow, that sounds like a great trip, must have plenty of opportunity for wilfe/scenic photography. I'm no expert but it seems your lenses cover great range. The only advice i can give is more CF if you are shooting RAW, for ten days. I would take along the remote shutter release too since it won't take up much space and fairly light.
Hope you have a wonderful trip and can't wait to see the pictures. ;)

[Ralph M]

I have been to Philmont.. What I can tell you for sure is that it will be hot and it will be dusty. The trails are well worn and the dust and dirt just keep getting kicked up. Unless, of course, it rains.. then the whole scene turns to mud. Not a friendly environment for cameras. It looks like you are intending to carry a pretty heavy load of photo gear. Since the crews carry just about everything.. food, water for a couple of days as they go from camp to camp, you might be somewhat loaded down. If you are in great shape.. may not be a problem. If not, you may have a problem. Some of the trails are moderate.. some are heavy duty. So it can vary greatly from one day to the next. I don't know what to tell you about charging batteries.. that might be a problem. I did not see any electric anything out there... except at the base camp. My experience out there was pre-digital and I took a small Canon p&s and a few rolls of film and a couple extra AA's. So.. have a great trip.. make sure your boots are well broken in.. blisters are a big problem. Also, make sure you visit the main "villa".. very nice. Regards. R.

[witchy]

You can take me! LOL :lol:

[lostdoggy]

5GB of CF and about 100 shot in RAW thats 500 shot in RAW total. The battery issue shouldn't be a Problem. Two Batteries should more then handle it. But 5GB for 10 days thtas only 0.5GB/day. Maybe an Epson P-2000 to unload the CFs and then a few more batteries. Since batteries can be had for around $12 each I wouldn't hesitate to get extra especially on a trip like yours.

[Lucky Forward]

Ralph, thanks for sharing your experiences. My brother and the other fellows have offered to help share the load toting my photo stuff, and I'll share copies of my photos with them after the trip. I'm in pretty good shape (5'10". 160lbs.) and I've handled our weekend backpacking trips on the App. trail OK. The altitude at Philmont will be something else, though. I've also been training by wearing my backpack on my treadmill at home, with the incline cranked up and the backpack loaded to about 20 lbs. heavier than I expect to carry on the trail.

I wish I could bring even more CF, but I've spent about $450 on the 5GB already, and I have to draw the line somehere! I'll just have to view my shots on the LCD and delete as needed. That's one reason I'm bringing the three batteries...I know the LCD can use up battery power quickly.

As for the dust and mud, I'll make sure to bring some large zip-loc bags to protect my gear when it's not in use.

Ralph, when you were out at Philmont, what sort of wildlife did you see?

[Dandaman_24]

Cant you take some blank CD's / DVD's just incase you come accross some one with a copmputer who is able to burn the images to disk for you. Just a thought.

[Ralph M]

Prarie Dogs.. Rabbits and squirrels.. Buffalo at a great distance.. Mule deer.. Did not see a bear or elk although some folks said they did. Also a variety of birds.. hawks etc. There are some things to see in the area. I mentioned the Villa.. that is a Spanish type structure that belonged to the donor .. Wade Phillips (Phillips Petroleum). Lots of photos hanging on the walls of notables who were there once upon a time. There is also a Scout museum.. not very large but still interesting and down the road a bit is an adobe house (I think they call it the Kit Carson house) on the Santa Fe trail. The wagon ruts are still visible. Big photo ops are the mountains.. Old Baldy and the Tooth of Time. You may be hiking over one of those. They normally hike you around the base camp for a couple of days to see if you can read a map and compass and get you used to the altitude. It is not an easy trek.. but most hiking precautions will get you through ok. There is also the town of Cimmaron and a hotel there that had some famous outlaws as guests. They will point to a couple of holes in the ceiling and tell you they are bullet holes.. Maybe just for the tourists?? Have a great trip and post some pictures.

[kenyc]

I'd probably want another battery and more CF cards or a way to store the images...

But I'm a shooting-madman... :)

KAC