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Art Materials
Bring a sketch book and camera for use while hiking.
For a $35 optional fee, we will provide all other necessary art supplies, including canvasses, good brushes, easels, palettes, acrylic paints, oil paints and pastels.
The supply fee is optional – you can bring your own supplies. However, for most people, it would make the most sense to pay the $35 fee and not bother buying/ shipping/ carrying their own supplies. One reason is that the fee gets you several different mediums with which to experiment without the expense of buying all the different mediums yourself. Another reason is that, during the hikes, you will have less weight to carry – the group supplies will be distributed among different group members, so no one has to carry everything themselves. You will also save the trouble of carrying supplies on your flight and being hassled by airline security. Finally, in the past, we found that beginners sometimes waste money buying more supplies than they need or the wrong kind. This avoids that problem.
Hiking equipment and clothing
Bring comfortable broken-in hiking boots (light hiking boots are OK), a wide brim hat, a waterproof wind breaker, loose fitting casual clothes you can layer, containers to carry at least two liters of water, and a small day pack for carrying these items, plus lunch, sketch pad and camera. Bring rain gear because of the possibility of sudden thunderstorms.
It is also very important to bring sun screen. For additional protection against the sun, bring a long-sleeved, lightweight, light colored shirt with color
The best protection against blisters is a combination of two non-cotton socks – a thin inner sock (polypro, silk, etc) and a thicker wool or synthetic outer sock for cushioning. This combination helps prevent blisters by wicking moisture away from your foot. Some people also like to use hiking sticks.
We do not assume that you have any hiking experience. However, the more general exercise you can get prior to the trip, the more you will enjoy it. Walking is a great way to prepare.
WEATHER AND ALTITUDE
Taos is at an altitude of almost 7,000 feet. In the Taos ski valley, where we may hike later in the week, the altitude is 9200. The trip plan takes into account that most participants are coming from other locations and need to acclimatize – e.g., little climbing, especially the first two days
Due to the altitude, it is critical that you drink a lot of water. So do not forget containers for carrying at least two liters of water on each hike. You will also be more exposed to the sun, so it is important to have hat with a brim and plenty of sun screen. On our end, we will take it extra easy the first two days and encourage you to get plenty of rest.
Summer days in Taos are dry and sunny, except for frequent afternoon thunderstorms. In August, average temperatures in town range from 85° in the afternoon to 50° at night. In Taos ski valley, which is at a higher altitude, temperatures are a little cooler – in August, 75° during the afternoon and 38° at night. It is important to have extra layers to wear at night.
Our hikes are scheduled for the morning, when it is cooler and drier.
TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION
Fly into Albuquerque airport.
If you arrive a few days before the trip, you can expand your vacation by stopping in Santa Fe (with the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the annual Indian Market). One good trip would be to tour the “Turquoise Trail” from Albuquerque to Santa Fe www.turquoisetrail.org. Another would be driving the “High Road” from Santa Fe to Taos www.highroadnewmexico.com, passing many artist studios and a stunning landscape. There is also regular train service between Albuquerque and Santa Fe www.nmrailrunner.com, as well as van shuttle service www.sandiashuttle.com.
If you want to go straight from the Albuquerque airport to Taos, try to get a flight that arrives before 2 PM, so you can arrive before our first night social hour. You can take a regularly scheduled shuttle van from Albuquerque airport directly to the San Geronimo Lodge. Call Twin Hearts Express (800-654-9456 or 505-751-1201) a few days before you arrive. The round trip cost is $90 ($50 one way).
For many people, a round trip car rental is the best option. To save costs, share the rental with other participants. Once you have a car reservation, tell Barry and he will let other participants know, so that you can talk to each other. With cost-sharing, a car rental would not only be more convenient, but also potentially cheaper. It is most likely to be cheaper if you PICK UP the car at a rental site away from the airport (no extra cost to RETURN it to the airport rental site). This is what the leaders have done. We found a car rental office at a hotel 10 minutes from the airport. The hotel did not have its own shuttle service, but it was easy enough to get one at the airport. For our car, the off-site cost was almost half of what it would have been at the airport.
There is no reliable taxi service within Taos (the B+B is a pleasant two mile walk from the center of town). For the most part, we will get to hikes and restaurants by car-pooling. If you do not have a car, you will be dependent on others for a ride. If you need more independence, rent a car (for example, each night, the leaders will select a nice local restaurant and invite others to join them; if you have your own car, you have more options).
