last weekend i got the chance to do some glacier landing training with a local friend/glacier pilot/instructor. we loaded up the maule with survival gear and headed into the alaska range. i got to spend the entire day flying in the mountains and learning the art of glacier landings. also spent some time just hanging out on the glaciers and taking in the sights and (lack of) sounds.
thought ya'll might like to see a little bit...






landing actually took almost as much power as taking off due to having to land uphill on a very steep slope





we were operating between 5000 and 6000 feet for most operations. had 3 guys on board, and the temps were in the 40's (believe it or not). the skis are schneider wheel penetration skis- but they have the block off plates installed to turn them into straight skis. i also removed the small "tailwheels" at the aft of the skis to reduce drag. this setup worked perfectly.

m5 up,
great pics, i am jealous. i have not flown skis yet but i have a pair and am getting closer as i and the mechanics here at work are helping me rig a new tail ski. i don't think i will get on them this late in the season as i had promised yellowmaule that i would but for sure i will be ready next year. i will go on floats at the end of may. have you met kurt (yellowmaule) yet? i stop by his place now and again, nice guy. we all need to get together this summer.
note; i know you had an experienced guy with you out on the glacier but i would be careful about walking too far away from the ac to take a picture out on those glaciers. i was lucky enough to climb mckinley back in 82 and we never left our camp sight without being on a rope. we all fell into carvasses but the rope keep most of it to just poking a leg down or so. always be careful..
later, rog pfeifer

Those are some sweet pics, Ryan. Post some more! Those mountains are incredible. I want to ski them.

zane,
we don't have any ski resorts near here, so lots of local folks fly up in the mountains to ski. it involves lots of hiking, though. but that just makes you appreciate it even more, right?
and what a great excuse to go flying- avgas may be cheaper than a lift ticket

UP_M5
Amazing photos. Looks like too much fun. Something nice to
dream about while it is hot and windy here in AZ.
Dale

UP_M5 wrote: it involves lots of hiking, though. but that just makes you appreciate it even more, right?

Haha...I'm one of those guys, although I wouldn't mind a heli ride to the top.

Climbing to the top with climbing skins:


Nobody around but us:

Beauty eh? Where in the Alaska Range were you? I got to hang out on Ruth Glacier and the landing is uphill there untill it plataues a bit. I love the silence, and listening to the falling ice/snow is cool too.

Wow,

Great pictures! I'm pretty jealous it was 95 here yesterday.

WHOA!!
That is what I am looking for.

Great shots! I am over in a different thread getting told to go to the alps for this

Tooo cool!

Twin,

Bring your parachute if you want to downhill ski where UP was. Lots of HUGE crevasses right downhill from there....

There's a reason the climbers rope up on these glaciers. You ever ski roped up?

MTV

hello

Patrol Guy,

I didn't know they were now using the aluminum gear on the Scout. SHould lighten them up some...

I NEVER attach the check and limit cable fittings to the gear, though many do.

I always prefer a straighter pull on those cables. It is at least theoretically possible in some of those gear mounted cable locations to have a ski go over center, at which point you are hosed.

In any case, put a tab under each lower engine mount bracket, right and left. F Atlee Dodge in ANC sells these. For the aft cables, you can either fabricate tabs to attach to float fittings, or get a set of clamp on fittings from Atlee.

This will end up being a safer and better rigging setup in any case, in my opinion.

MTV

That sounds like a plan. Thanks much.

Mike - I know a guy who'se 115 hp Citabria had the left ski go over center while flying in rough conditions. He kept the aircraft in a hard right hand turn all the way to the ice and let up just to keep the right wing from hitting the lake. When he did, somehow the left ski tip was bounced forward into the right position WHEW!! (should have been hosed as you point out)

No damage, so he just tightened everything up and went home to change his shorts. I agree with the forward engine mount tab philosophy of life!

Brad

BRD,

I've always heard about those deals, but never actually talked to anyone who was there. I had a rear check cable break once, but that's not really all that ugly, though I was concerned it had damaged the strut (it didn't).

I've always looked at those forward fittings and cables REALLY close, though.

Patrol Guy, It's pretty easy to fabricate your own tabs out of steel for the engine mount brackets, though for the time you'll spend, it's probably cheaper to buy em from Atlee.

MTV