High Sierra Singer-Songwriters Workshop - Itinerary
- About the Trip: This unique trip combines the breathtaking beauty of California's Ansel Adams Wilderness with the opportunity to learn from and play music with some amazing singer-songwriters.
Our summer 2008 workshop will feature Tim Bluhm and Steve Poltz. Tim is the lead vocals, guitarist and songwriter of the famous rock band The Mother Hips and Steve Poltz is a singer songwriter who currently holds the record for the longest running Billborad Top 100 song "You Were Meant For Me" that was co-written with Jewel, whom he stumbled upon in a San Diego coffee house one night while playing. Join them for lakeside afternoon and evening workshops. Tim and Steve will play their songs, your songs, and talk about songwriting, the industry, and their journey's through both. The main idea behind the trips is to set up a fabulous backdrop to listen, discuss and learn about music. Everyone is encouraged to join in and play a few songs. The Ansel Adam's Wilderness may be one of the best kept secrets of the High Sierra. Located on the southern border of Yosemite National Park, the Ansel Adams Wilderness has mile upon mile of sweeping granite ridges, spectacular vistas, and a lifetime of fishing possibilities in hundreds of sparkling high mountain lakes. Meadows are blanketed in sub-alpine flora such as aster, cow parsnip, lupine, columbine, shooting stars, and mule ears.
- ABOUT THE MUSICIANS: Tim Bluhm formed the band The Mother Hips 14 years ago in the Northern California town of Chico. He learned how to sing and play on stage in every state of the country,
playing with acts like Johnny Cash, Wilco, The Black Crowes, and Lucinda Williams. Tim has written many hundreds of songs and has recorded 11 albums of original music. Tim and the Hips are influenced by such artists as Merle Haggard, Neil Young, Ry Cooder, the Everly Brothers, Will Oldham and John Fahey.
- Steve Poltz co-wrote the longest running song on the Billboard 100 with Jewel, was voted "San Diego's Most influential Artist of the Decade" and has spent many years touring and playing over 300 nights a year all over the world. His original band the Rugburns was only the starting point for this singer songwriter.
- Both of these guys truly love music and look forward to sharing that love in the beauty of the Sierra with you.
- Group Size: 6-11 participants with 1-2 mountain guides, plus the two guest musicians.
- Cost of the Trip: $1295 per person.
- Grade: Leisurely to moderate hiking in varied elevation. Day time temperatures 65-85 degrees, evenings are usually 10-15 degrees cooler. All you carry is a day pack as the trip is mule-pack supported. In other words the mules carry your gear, in addition to the group gear and food.
- Equipment: All camping gear is provided if requested on the registration form: sleeping bags, large tents, ground pads, water filters, etc. You need to bring a small day pack for personal items during the hikes. Guitars , mandolins, fiddles, etc. can be carried on your back. If you don't want to bring your instrument, there will be a few guitars provided by SYMG for everyone to use. You may print from our web page a detailed what-to-bring list, directions, and this itinerary.
- Your Cost Includes: First nights' shared accommodations, meals while in the back country, camping equipment, mule pack support, daily musicians workshops, permits, and guides.
- Not Included: Meals in the front country, alcoholic beverages, personal items, tips for guides (10-20% of trip fee). Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Meals: All meals while in the back country are included. Our "Back country Gourmet" meals have been acclaimed in Sunset Magazine.
- About the Pack Station: All meals while in the back country are included. Our "Back country Gourmet" meals have been acclaimed in Sunset Magazine.
- Preparation: Mules will be carrying all of our equipment and your personal gear into a central camp. You will need to pack your personal belongings efficiently into one mid- sized duffel bag. If you do plan on putting your instrument on the mule , please make sure it is well packed in hard case as th epack station and SYMG can't take responsibility for broken instruments.
- Day 1:
- We meet at 4pm on Bass Lake where accommodations at The Pines Resort/Ducey's include lakeside Jacuzzi, pool, tennis, local shops, restaurants. Dinner will be on your own the first night. The price of your trip is based on shared accommodations, but private occupancy can be arranged for a supplemental charge.
- Day 2:
- We meet after breakfast at 7:30am to drive to the pack station and trailhead. Your guide will accompany you. The drive is approximately an hour and it is your responsibility to drive to the pack station and trailhead. While hiking, you'll carry a day pack or fanny pack with some water, a camera, etc. We will hike into a centrally located lake to our base camp.
- Day 3:
- Your guide(s) will lead a hike to nearby lakes for the day. Songwriting workshop and happy hour before dinner, and more pickin' around the campfire after dinner.
- Day 4:
- Afternoon workshop to follow lunch. An optional summit hike to one of the nearby 10,000'+ peaks that make up the southern border of Yosemite National Park. Also day hikes to other nearby alpine lakes with great fishing, photo opportunities. More guitar playing and singing after dinner.
- Day 5:
- Hike out after breakfast back to the trailhead by early afternoon. Expect a 2pm-4pm departure from the high country.
Back to High Sierra Singer-Songwriters' Workshop
