low rider wrote:That is a great picture! What an awesome place to be no matter what the weather .!!

Thank you. Interesting how priorities are changing as I travel here. The simple things matter and the huge esoteric weight of the world seems gone/distant. It all makes more sense. Glad I could escape for a while. Living in downtown Honolulu is hectic!

But, it's only temporary. As I travel South and ultimately back home the priorities will change again.

Enjoying the atmosphere here very much! Savor the moment!

2017.06.18 Le Conte Glacier and Le Conte Bay

Tommorw PAPG.PAJN(100LL).PAGS. Any friendly tips on landing and fueling at Juneau? I called Aero Services, AFSS PAJN, read AF/D and sectional chart inset. Any other guidance is appreciated!

(Petersburg, Juneau [100LL]], Gustavus [no 100LL til 31-Jul])


Today a bear attacked trash can at the airport. Glad there is a tall fence!


MVFR most of the day. No reason to burn fuel, can't see much!

Flight today Petersburg.Juneau.Gustavas was smooth and fuel was quick/easy at Aero Services (PAJN). Staying Annie Mae Lodge, which is heavenly . GBflyer met me bought us lunch and gave me a 4x4 Jeep! The town is beautiful too!

Lynn Channel view North to Skagway(69NM):

Have done the trip north many times on wheels, but always dream of doing it on floats. Thank you for this thread! Would you be comfortable landing the Wips on gravel strips or less than perfect grass? Talking about airports along the way, not open tundra etc.

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:Have done the trip north many times on wheels, but always dream of doing it on floats. Thank you for this thread! Would you be comfortable landing the Wips on gravel strips or less than perfect grass? Talking about airports along the way, not open tundra etc.

Take care, Rob

Thank you Rob. There is a million+ areas to alight on water here. SE Alaska has very hostile terrain, so no rough runways for me and will stay hard surface. Helos are the top of the food chain here. The "Rockstars" all fly helicopters and floats. Have not seen any fat tires so far!

Greg Swingel flew here. He flew to SE AK via the Skeena River Valley. But, not sure if he got any rough surfaces or off airport action?

<break>

Question to other backcountry pilots please:

Anybody fly amphibs on rough terrain? Any friendly advice? Thank you.

Posting @ 300 baud, no video until better internet.

06:00AKTD:

Beautiful!!

CamTom12 wrote:Beautiful!!

Thank you, Cameron.

Camping at Glacier Bay National Park. The Jeep has been a great experience! Wishing I could keep it, love the short wheelbase for backcountry driving.


The airport is empty.


Tides up to 25', unreal energy twice a day (+50 minutes):


There are many restricted areas in the Park. Good idea to attend the boating operation course at the Visitor Station while in seaplane. Get the little guide booklet too. Seaplane dock (3) hours max per 24 hours.

I saw two beautiful Rans on fat tires yesterday. Really beautiful, starting to change my mind on experimental.

Looking for forward to downloading video!

Late night Sunset:

Best tent I have ever owned. Tango 3, solid Brah.

Random picture of Bartlett Cove. Mt. Fairweathet 15K+ (way back there)

Pacific Ocean side of Brady Glacier (Southwest face):



Offshoot lake of massive icebergs:

GREAT pictures! Thank you for sharing!

tedwaltman wrote:GREAT pictures! Thank you for sharing!

Thank you Ted. Having a great time!

I have no personal experience with an amphib on rough surfaces but a good friend of mine who uses a Husky on Wip 2100A in his seaplane school bitches every time a student lands on the grass runway on a check ride rather than with the cross wind on the pavement. He specifically tells them no grass runway landings, pavement only. Claims it takes half a day to get the nose gear tightened back up and working correctly. The grass is quite rough as the grass grows in clumps.

Tim

bat443 wrote:I have no personal experience with an amphib on rough surfaces but a good friend of mine who uses a Husky on Wip 2100A in his seaplane school bitches every time a student lands on the grass runway on a check ride rather than with the cross wind on the pavement. He specifically tells them no grass runway landings, pavement only. Claims it takes half a day to get the nose gear tightened back up and working correctly. The grass is quite rough as the grass grows in clumps.
Tim

Fully agreed....

Switch to conventional landing gear! Floats are expensive these days. Takes about two days to change to wheels if needed. I keep a set of aluminum gantry cranes, which are portable.

The Scout doing what it does best. Float performance over the top! Mary used a telephoto about a mile away...


Lake in the deep backcountry:

What a great trip report and pictures!! I sure hope to have all my ducks in a row someday to see Southeast Alaska from my airplane but until then I'll just tag a long with you.

SkyLarkin wrote:What a great trip report and pictures!! I sure hope to have all my ducks in a row someday to see Southeast Alaska from my airplane but until then I'll just tag a long with you.

Thank you! Love your State!

Changed oil, cleaned spark plugs, rinsed in fresh water. Nice to have friends out here in Alaska. GBflyer gave us access to hangar and tools etc...


Doing the Alaskan seaplane dance:

Large bear next to the truck. The bear had no fear.


Today headed to Ketchikan. Was turned around by low visibility and turbulence. Staying Wrangell for night:

Awesome pics! Give's me the urge to take some time off and plan a decent trip!

Rogue wrote:Awesome pics! Give's me the urge to take some time off and plan a decent trip!

Thank you. The backcountry up here is endless and pristine.