Location: The Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike, two different tracts of the Buchanan State Forest and Sideling Hill CCC Camp, Cowans Gap, Big Mountain Overlook

Cost : One Day - $90
Two Days - $160

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PLEASE READ THIS PAGE CAREFULLY, INCLUDING THE THE DISCLAIMER AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE.

In this adventurous workshop, we’ll explore the Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike! We’ll learn how to spin steel wool and create awesome effects with the strikingly bright sparks created from spinning steel wool! We’ll also be exploring overlooks and state parks in the area, chasing light and landscapes across this rural section of Pennsylvania. We’ll cover the exposure triangle, materials, safety, spinning methods, a little bit of landscape composition and much more while we’re at it!

This workshop is for anyone interested in learning steel wool spinning, doing some exploring of a famous abandoned place, and is eager to learn more about the photographic process and some history along the way.

You can book either one or two days. I will be staying two days regardless. On day one, we’ll be exploring the Sideling Hill Tunnel, spinning steel wool, and doing a bit of landscape photography in the area around the Sideling Hill tunnel and the State Forest the tunnel goes though. After that, we’ll be driving, then hiking to the filming location of “The Road” - the Ray’s Hill Tunnel. We’ll capture some photos along the way and photograph the area in and around the Ray’s Hill Tunnel. If there’s time, we’ll check out an overlook about 40 minutes away for sunset.

On day two we’ll head back to the overlook from the night before, but for sunrise. Then, we’ll adventure to Cowan’s Gap and photograph the lake and trails in the morning. In the afternoon, we’ll head to a mountain road and scenic overlook on the way back towards Lancaster County.

We will be taking two 90 minute breaks each day for food and bathroom breaks. There are NO bathrooms available on or near the turnpike tunnels. The closest bathrooms are about a 12 minute drive from the parking area.

The workshop starts at 8:30am on the first day and sunrise on the second day, so I recommend you camp or rent a hotel the night before. The workshops last all day.

This workshop includes driving between locations. Carpooling is recommended.

Equipment:

I will supply all equipment required for steel wool spinning, but request you bring the following safety related items for your individual use:

- safety glasses/ goggles
- rawhide, gardening , or work gloves

In order to photograph steel wool, you will need to bring:

- a tripod
- a camera with a manual mode
- a lens with a focal length of 35mm or shorter

You may also want to bring the following photography gear:

- lens filters (these may protect the front element of your lens from getting damaged)
- your own steel wool and spinning supplies (I recommend 0000 steel wool)
- extra lenses for landscape and urbex
- extra storage media
- extra batteries

I recommend you prepare for a hike. Bring the following:

- good, comfortable hiking shoes
- a powerful flashlight is ABSOLUTELY necessary (the tunnels are very long and pitch black)
- weather-appropriate clothing
- good, durable pants
- enough water to last you 12 hours
- food, at the very least enough for lunch AND dinner for each day you’ll be there.

If you are camping, please provide your own campsite and camping gear. I recommend Cowan’s Gap State Park or Burnt Cabins Grist Mill and Campground for camping. For hotels, I recommend the Quality Inn in Breezewood, which is the nearest town.

Please note: I will not be providing food, camping gear, or other supplies or materials other than what is needed for steel wool spinning.

There is NO RAIN DATE for this workshop. The tunnels and maintenance areas are enclosed, therefore DAY 1 will not be cancelled if it rains. If it does rain, bring rain gear. DAY 2 WILL be cancelled if it rains.

Payment for DAY 1 is due no later than Monday, July 26th, 2021. Payment for DAY 2 is due Friday, July 30th, 2021. This is to make sure the weather will be rain-free. No fees will be refunded.

DISCLAIMER:
This workshop will take you through abandoned tunnels that are not maintained and may pose a hazard to you if you enter them. By participating in the workshop, you assume all risk of harm or property damage. You also agree that you are fit and able to walk as much as 10 miles during the course of this workshop. You may encounter obstacles you need to crouch under, crawl over, or avoid entirely. You may encounter hazards including, but not limited to: unstable or crumbling floors, falling debris, sheer drops without railing, sharp and rusty metal, glass shards, snakes, unstable stairs, steep climbs, uneven terrain, and hazardous weather. You assume all risk by the dangers and conditions listed above, as well as those not listed. You are responsible for your own well-being and for protecting yourself from physical injury and protecting your property from damage.