After (3) previous attempts from Wrangell and Petersburg (low visibility, ceilings and a turbulent frontal passage precluded) I finally landed in Ketchikan.

OH Yes, a beautiful SE Alaska day

Actually, pretty good vis for flying here lately Sorry you didn't get a chance to make it up to Skagway. Next trip. Safe flight home!

Chris

slowhawk wrote:OH Yes, a beautiful SE Alaska day

Actually, pretty good vis for flying here lately Sorry you didn't get a chance to make it up to Skagway. Next trip. Safe flight home!

Chris

Hi Chris! I tried to get up to Skagway. We flew to the Grand Pacific Glacier which was the farthest Northerly point this time. Weather and logistics were challenging. Luckily Justin had MoGas which helped. The MoGas gas in Alaska seems to be high sulfur. Our Scout ran great on it regardless.

Thank you for the information you sent. Hopefully, I can stop by one day.

Random pictures from Mary's camera:

I saw you take into Ketchikan yesterday. I don't remember exactly where, maybe Juneau or Sitka. Unfortunately didn't have time to come down and say hello. Envious of your trip.

Jughead

I've enjoyed the postings you and grassstrippilot have made on your trips to Alaska. Seeing the images of flying up the inside passage and going through the trench make me want to get another plane so I can do it both ways. I will make the trip to Alaska before I sell my plane, but with only wheels, I'm afraid my path with be constrained to flying the trench. I have done a fair amount of boating in in the northern part of Vancouver Island though and that whole area on up through SE Alaska is incredibly beautiful. As pilots we have an embarrassment of riches in the environments we can visit. What a great planet to live on...

jugheadF15 wrote:I saw you take into Ketchikan yesterday. I don't remember exactly where, maybe Juneau or Sitka. Unfortunately didn't have time to come down and say hello. Envious of your trip.

Jughead

We keep missing each other! Are you going back to Hawaii soon? Give me another shout!

Flyhound wrote:I've enjoyed the postings you and grassstrippilot have made on your trips to Alaska. Seeing the images of flying up the inside passage and going through the trench make me want to get another plane so I can do it both ways. I will make the trip to Alaska before I sell my plane, but with only wheels, I'm afraid my path with be constrained to flying the trench. I have done a fair amount of boating in in the northern part of Vancouver Island though and that whole area on up through SE Alaska is incredibly beautiful. As pilots we have an embarrassment of riches in the environments we can visit. What a great planet to live on...

The Coast is a very " Hairy" trip! Dangerous and beautiful.

Back at the hangar after 30 days flying to Alaska. Will edit the GoPro MPGs and post to YouTube. Thank you for following along.

Glad you made it home. Was concerned that you might need to buy a home in KTN. [emoji3]


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Congrats on a good trip. I think you did it the right way, taking plenty of time so you weren't pushed. Maybe next time we'll see you in Atlin. This year has been the wettest I've ever seen here - more like SE AK than normal, with only two days in the past 6 weeks above 70 degrees, and rain/fog nearly every day.

Greg

gbflyer wrote:Glad you made it home. Was concerned that you might need to buy a home in KTN. [emoji3]


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I was about to ask you for quote on a small cabin foundation and structure for the Winter ahead!

Justin, we adored your town and all the help was fantastic! Glad we could do the CFI gig too! Mary was very thrilled to meet your family. Great spread you folks have!

GregA wrote:Congrats on a good trip. I think you did it the right way, taking plenty of time so you weren't pushed. Maybe next time we'll see you in Atlin. This year has been the wettest I've ever seen here - more like SE AK than normal, with only two days in the past 6 weeks above 70 degrees, and rain/fog nearly every day.

Greg

Next time on wheels I'll fly your side of the mountain range! Thank you for following the progress and the extension of hospitality, Greg!

Mind boggling trip! Glad to take a break (I need a vacation now).

Glad you made it through safe and it looked like a great time!

CamTom12 wrote:Glad you made it through safe and it looked like a great time!

Thank you. Great to be heading home. Warm Tradewinds await me.....ha ha!

SE AK weather was mostly slow moving frontal systems and stationary low pressures. Lots of rain, fog, overcast and Southerly moisture (AKA "Pineapple Express").

Adamant about recommending floats (or amphibs) only on the Coastal routes VFR. Tough flying and lots of dynamics that are particular to each sub-region and microclimates. But, well worth it if your into heavy backcountry.

Alaskan folks I had met are very friendly! And you need friends out there! Fuel, maintenance, local knowledge are paramount. Many places were out of fuel. Do not trust the NOTAMs, call ahead and stay in the game is my MO.

The aftermath. Making sure we are ready for another backcountry trip:

Cleaned the airframe thoroughly:


Number (3) cylinder has a an induction leak. Gasket will be here on 20-JULY, Spruce Aircraft is amazing.


No hydraulic leaks and sight glass full:


Removing float inspection panels for a good rinse of water and citrus cleaner:


Replaced engine oil with MIL spec 20W-50 Phillips anti-rust. Sprayed cylinder walls ACF-50. Wrapped in "Cellophane" type plastic.


Next the camping gear needs a good rinse....

This morning I started to "Zerk" the amphibious landing gear and ran into an issue with asymmetrical grease flow on the FLG axle. Sometimes (not always) grease may dry out and preclude one side from purging water and fresh grease. Loosening the axle nut to relieve grease seal pressure allows for both sides to purge. Pump the grease gun until clean grease is flowing on both the inboard/outboard seals and then re tighten.


These are the weapons that all seaplane mechanics must carry in the war against corrosion. The Scout is amazingly free of any corrosion except a few scratchs and light oxidation here and there.

"Mountain Hardware" products are the best. Rinsed my tent in a tub of water and it came out clean. Still water resistant. Heading to the laundry mat to wash the sleeping bag (Coleman synthetic)...

There are no "Halfway houses" for bush pilots entering the real world again. All the adjustments must be slow and calculated in order to acclimate completely and safely. One phase, which I personally recommend, is staying outdoors and connected to nature the first week back in the lower 48 and/or 50th. Then repeat as necessary until fully readjusted. So far the withdrawal of the bush is going smoothly...

2017.06.14 -> 2017.07.14 (some tracks are missing due to user errors):