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Backcountry Pilot • Ski flying - NorCal - UPDATED 1/24/13

Ski flying - NorCal - UPDATED 1/24/13

Two of the best inventions ever, skis and airplanes, together.
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Ski flying - NorCal - UPDATED 1/24/13

Today gave another example of why I love being a pilot. Its an obsession actually... #-o

Ski flying is another element of what we love doing as a backcountry type pilot. It throughs in all sorts of new things to think about. What gear, left turns only, ski cool down maneuver, depth of snow or ice thickness and list goes on.

Anyway, enough of my trying to be a writer, here are some photos from today.

Had to add some gear
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Had to touch down on a favorite landing at the island
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Chose to go without my tail ski for awhile. Slows ya down quicker in powder type snow, maybe.
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Leaves a good track
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As said, it was a good day. Temps are cold and the snow is soft by the most part.

AKT
Last edited by aktahoe1 on Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:13 am, edited 9 times in total.
aktahoe1 offline
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

Kevin,

Im trying hard to keep the budget for my Skywagon reasonable. These sort of ski photos do me no good... #-o
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

Very cool, great stuff
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

Those conditions look sublime! We need to do some more shooting (of the DSLR kind.)
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

Well Done AKT! Amazing!
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

Wow. Dreaming here......
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

Kevin,

Where are you landing in those photos? Not that I could follow in the RV, but just curious. Weather has finally turned better for flying the last several days.

Cheers,
Greg
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

One of the reasons we fly with skis.
Opens up more country. Great pics.

Ken in Alaska
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

No tarp in your gear pile. [-X
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

That's awesome! looks like a lot of fun.
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

akflyer2001 wrote:No tarp in your gear pile. [-X


Tarp,tools and other gear already in the plane. That's a pile of new gear.
Who wants to do some ski flying? Having a passenger on skis is a bonus. Leaving in an hour or so.

AKT
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

AKT,
The pics are fantastic. =D> Keep them comming and fly safe.

Ken in Alaska
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

A hint....the more you roam around on the surface on skis, the more likely you are to run across something hard or deep. Tighten up those turns.... :lol:

Also, I'd get some "real" snowshoes. Those little baby snow slippers are going to take FOREVER to stomp down a "get out of this shit" track.

Most of all, have fun....ski flying is about as much fun as you can have, right up to a point..... :shock:

Take care, and land safe.

MTV
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's updated 1/7

Have been putting some hours in ski flying the past days.

Spent this morning flying around with one of our own here that emailed and asked if he could go. AKA -cozmicharlie on here met me at the hanger and we ended up putting in a couple hours. The snow is so good now for ski flying. Guessing its about 2-3' in most places and the lakes are about 8-10 inches thick. I like the clear ice better than the snow in these parts as you can really get an idea of how thick it is. In the photos below here, the clear, snow free ice froze after the last storm. Its not insulated and you can know for certain how thick it is just by looking at it. Not to mention, its always nice to see another plane already there. This guy goes by "iceman" around here. He loves to ice fish and always has good beta on the ice thickness.

This is about 1500' or so and could easily land a 206...Lowrider...or Rob or any of you that dont have skis... :lol:
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Iceman down on the ice fishing...he doesnt have skis either...notice the wind waves on the snow in this one. More on that in a bit.
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Landing here offers great ski touring
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This one looks good but man its full of wind waves on the snow. You can find a smooth spot to set down but it gets real bumpy quick. The long east west lakes are not protected and you can sure see it when you get down low.
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This one is a favorite. From the approach in low and slow while on a long left base to a nice slow turn over the water to final down the lake. It also offers superb ski touring options... :lol:
Left base
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I am high here as I wanted a photo but this is final only you would be 500' or so lower and then park up at the end
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It was a good day! :D

Weather looks to be clear and cold tomorrow....again... #-o

AKT
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's

GregA wrote:Kevin,

Where are you landing in those photos? Not that I could follow in the RV, but just curious. Weather has finally turned better for flying the last several days.

Cheers,
Greg


Hey Greg- all of the meadows and lakes west of Castle Peak to just north of the Buttes. Its all time now! Come out and play!

AKT
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's Updated 1/7/13

need to find one that is iced over and barely any snow! Then i'll come check it out. Just gotta finish my annual now!
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's Updated 1/7/13

Outstanding photos, Kevin!
Kathy and I just returned from a couple weeks of traveling, and I'm ready to get our freshly-annualed 170 up again.
Just where is that nice, solid lake....!??
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's Updated 1/7/13

=D> =D> =D>

Well done!
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's Updated 1/7/13

Awesome!!! Really enjoying the pics. Makes me wish I hadn't sold my skis and than I had gotten the job I applied for in Carson City.
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Re: Ski flying - NorCal / Sierra's Updated 1/7/13

Nice pics Kevin, makes me want to take my splitboard out there for a little backcountry snowboarding!
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