Moonless, Starlight Nights
– By Sunny Stroeer –
When was the last time you were in a spot where the stars were so bright they would illuminate your path, even on a moonless night?
If you have never experienced darkness so complete and a night sky so bright that you can see the starlight reflecting back from otherworldly rocks all around you, you’re not alone.
80% of Americans live in places where artificial light pollution is so strong that the Milky Way is no longer visible and 99% of us have to contend with at least a moderate amount of light pollution that noticeably reduces the brightness of the stars vis-a-vis the sky’s natural state.
It’s one of the reasons the desert Southwest is so unique: outside of major metropoles like Las Vegas or Phoenix, much of this wild landscape is populated so sparsely that light pollution does not touch our nights. For those willing to spend a night or two camping in the wild, Southern Utah’s vast public lands such as Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Northern Arizona, and the north rim of the Grand Canyon offer an incredible opportunity to experience the night sky in its natural splendor. Whether you are a photographer wanting to photograph the night sky, or simply an outdoor lover who wants to revel in the beauty of an otherworldly night, our dark skies are waiting for you.
If camping isn’t your usual cup of tea, there are several outfitters in Southern Utah who will whisk you away on a fully catered, stress-free overnight adventure so that you can experience the charming ruggedness of a backcountry camp enveloped by that velvety night sky without having to worry about camping gear, meals, or setting up a tent. One of those outfitters is Kanab-based Dreamland Safari Tours, offering overnight tours to spectacular White Pocket in the Vermilion Cliffs, and jaw-dropping Toroweap on the remote North Rim of the Grand Canyon, during what are typically our most pleasant months: March – June and September – October. Join a regularly scheduled tour during a new moon for the darkest skies, or choose a full-moon date to enjoy the magic of a silent landscape bathed in moonlight bright enough that you don’t need a headlamp.
For the most serious photographers, and those wanting to expand their expertise in photographing the night sky, Dreamland offers a set of exclusive Milky Way workshops and clinics with acclaimed photographer Cody York.
If you are looking to get a taste of Milky Way Photography without the commitment of a multi-day camping trip, Cody York’s 24-hour Milky Way Clinic at the Great Chamber may be for you: this hotel-based itinerary includes an al-fresco dinner at the Great Chamber followed by a Milky Way photography session and a return to Kanab in the wee hours of the morning, providing the opportunity for a hot shower and a few hours of sleep in a comfortable bed before clinic participants reconvene with their instructor for the editing session that completes this clinic.
For those photographers who are game for a fully guided multi-day camping trip, Cody York’s 3-day / 2-night Milky Way Workshop at White Pocket is an adventure not to be missed. In this photography workshop, Dreamland Safari Tours guides whisk you away to White Pocket where they take care of everything, from setting up camp to cooking delicious meals. The instructors provide an orientation to the White Pocket’s incredible scenery, discuss your photography goals, and give tips and tricks on getting the perfect shots. After dinner you spend the evening shooting sunset, blue hour and the Milky Way with expert 1:1 instruction and guidance. The second day is open to relaxing, exploring, and discussing more photography tips and tricks followed by more opportunities to perfect your techniques under the darkest skies around. The group heads back to Kanab after breakfast on day three, rounding things out with a post-production editing clinic and closing dinner.
Milky Way workshops typically take place in the spring or fall, when typically clear skies coincide with good visibility of the galactic core, the Milky Way’s brightest center. If you have never seen a starry sky so bright it could illuminate your path, what are you waiting for? No matter how you experience Southwest Utah’s dark skies, your body and soul will thank you for having the opportunity to be immersed in something so primordial, serene and calm.
