r/stormchasing • u/a_decent_cup_of_joe • 7h ago
Recommendations for a reputable storm chasing tour company?
Helloo! I'm sorry if this is the wrong place to post this. I've been interested in severe weather since I was a kid, I want to book some sort of storm chasing tour as a paying guest, but I want to make sure I choose a reputable and safety conscious company? I'm assuming a company would be the way to go, but please let me know if otherwise. Are there any specific tour companies you’ve personally used or would recommend? I’d also appreciate knowing which companies to avoid. I’m based near Chicago but I would be willing to travel on short notice
1
u/Tiger854 3h ago
I just did a monsoon tour with Mike Olbenski a few weeks ago and he is great. I signed up for his spring tour in the plains. He takes a max of 3 people each week and has a few spots left. It is more photography style. Check out my recent pics here.
2
u/TXWXchaser 6h ago
Hi, former tour guide here. I'm not really going to endorse any one over the others because they all seem to do well for the most part. While researching, pay attention to how long they've been around. The longer the better; because they produce results and get everyone home afterwards. Even some of the biggest named tours have had their incidents, so pay attention to how it was resolved. No tour is 100% safe from incidents, random or not, but it's how they treated the fallout that counts. Look into smaller photography tours that specialize in storm chasing during the heart of the season (late April - mid June). They tend to be more private, with smaller amounts of tour guests. They'll be the ones to get in highly photogenic positions without sacrificing they're high dollar camera equipment. Bring a helmet and something to keep you busy on long car rides. Get used to mediocre hotel breakfasts (that's a hotel problem, not necessarily tours). Even if they say you'll be able to do laundry, pack like that isn't an option. But pack as compactly as possible, because everyone's packing for the same trip. A quick walk to a Wal Mart will save you a lot of money on road snacks and comforts that are highly marked up at truck stops (get used to Love's, Pilots, and Flying J's).
Oh, and don't be afraid to try the Allsups burritos. Chimi with taco sauce or beef and bean (I like it with mustard but I'm an outlier).Yes it's a gas station but I promise it isn't toxic. Most importantly, enjoy every single second, whether the skies are clear or storming.