Since about mid-morning there's been a steady stream of skiplanes following the highway in a FAI > ANC direction. Some even flying in close formation. Dodgy weather too.

What's up? Did they downgrade the volcano eruption alert for Redoubt

-DP

Wolf hunters returning home Iron dog support folks going home. FBKS folks going to ANC for a decent pizza

Iditarod start stuff maybe??

AvidFlyer wrote:Iditarod start stuff maybe??

Early for that. Probably Irondog folks headed home. I thought my house was under attack by the Skywagon Air Force at one point

Irondog variety.
How are field conditions for Cantwell & Healy? I'm headed to Tanana on Friday for the State Tournament and back on Sunday. I'm on skis.

Last time I overflew Cantwell two weeks ago it was hard-packed snow. Shouldn't have changed too much since then, except possibility of drifting. Ray Atkins of Atkins Guiding Service might be willing to give you a report. Summit south of there was really bumpy and hard wind-packed at that time.

Healy is usually bladed I think, but I haven't laid eyes on it recently. It has been blowing a lot lately, so if there is any snow on the RWY in Healy it is probably full of sand, grit, coal dust, etc, etc...

The park strip (INR) is reliably well maintained for ski ops.

Wish I could be more helpful, Maybe someone else has more recent conditions.

-DP

denalipilot wrote:Last time I overflew Cantwell two weeks ago it was hard-packed snow. Shouldn't have changed too much since then, except possibility of drifting. Ray Atkins of Atkins Guiding Service might be willing to give you a report. Summit south of there was really bumpy and hard wind-packed at that time.

Healy is usually bladed I think, but I haven't laid eyes on it recently. It has been blowing a lot lately, so if there is any snow on the RWY in Healy it is probably full of sand, grit, coal dust, etc, etc...

The park strip (INR) is reliably well maintained for ski ops.

Wish I could be more helpful, Maybe someone else has more recent conditions.

-DP

Well, none have fuel, so I assume you are looking for a place to stretch your legs (or wait out weather)? In that case I would skip Healy in favor of PAIN, which is in real good shape. I drove past Cantwell strip on Saturday, it appeared to be in pretty good shape with a couple of snowmachine tracks crossing it perpeindicular to the length.

Did you guys do any flying today? I was supposed to head down to Kenai for my solo x-cntry but the weather didn't improve till too late. Looked like it was flyable in the afternoon.