Backcountry Pilot

[Zzz]

We're locking this in way ahead of time this year! Due to late summer fire danger and having to cancel in previous years, the other groups are planning their fly-ins earlier at Johnson Creek too. The Super Cub group will be there the weekend prior.

I just copy/pasted/edited from last year's thread, all the info is like deja vu:

The Event
3nd Annual BackcountryPilot.Org Summer Fly-In

The Location
Johnson Creek, Idaho (3U2)

The Date
June 27-29, 2008

The Players
You, me, whoever wants to show up and claim to have read our forum.


Ok, we've locked down the date. It sounds like MauleManiac was able to scribble our names onto the caretakers' roster for the group campsite. All we need now is some nice clear weather.

Here's a report from 2006 , and another writeup from 2007.

If you haven't flown into that area of Idaho before, it can be intimidating to consider. This will be my first year going in as PIC, so it's a topic I have been thinking about recently. Here's a good thread with some info about that very topic. If you have anything to add, put it in that thread.

I will have a fresh load of T-shirts with me if everything goes as planned. I know I've really dropped the ball on shirts in the last year...I hope to make up for that.

This is a get together of friends who want to sit around and BS in an environment we love. Outside of that, you're on your own. There won't be a pancake breakfast or any food provided, although we will probably do a group dinner on saturday evening. I'm going to bring my fly rod, although I couldn't tell you what the fishing in June is like in the area, or if it's even allowed.


Make sure you're competent
Unfortunately, we lost one of our friends last year who had flown in for the event. BCP member Berk Snow crashed his 172 into rising terrain while flying up a valley below ridgetop altitude. It was an eerie irony, as only a week earlier he had posted asking for techniques on how to recover if you find yourself in that exact situation.

Get mountain flying training, know the risks. Know your aircraft's performance limitations.

[bmuggoch offline]

John, I'll be there both weekends.
Bruce

[OregonMaule offline]

Hi guys, I have two questions.

Should we invite the Maule group to join us? It seems like both groups could benefit from more planes and pilots.

What other strips should we fly to? If we have a rough idea us less experienced pilots can start planning.

Another thought. It probably would be safer if we all tried to fly with a wingman instead of solo. What say you?
Cheers…Rob

[OregonMaule offline]

John, hi buddy. Some of each would be good. I will be there for the week.

I got mud on the M7 yesterday at a friends turf strip.

Cheers...Rob

[Skylane offline]

I got mud on the M7 yesterday at a friends turf strip.
Cheers...Rob

From the looks of some of the wet side pictures in the news, you could be in the mud on the asphalt.

Need some of those Bushwheel super bigfoot mud slingers!

See ya, Bub

[River rat offline]

Ive been dreaming of coming down for the fly in should be good experience crosing the border and such. My question is does anyone know if you can still clear costoms at the coutts airstrip?

[iceman offline]

So how many of us are planning on going this June. I know you might not John, but I'll be there for 10 days starting with the fly in. Hope to see all you Dirt lovers there.

[iceman offline]

What other strips should we fly to? If we have a rough idea us less experienced pilots can start planning.

Rob the Idaho guys can shed more light on this than me but I've been to most of them up there several times. Big creek for breakfast is a must and is no more difficult than JC. Warren is easy and a great one to see if you want to see a 1860's town just as it was in those days. If sulphur creek is open again it is a good breakfast, well it has been in the past. Runway is gravel though, but not difficult. Moose Creek is relatively easy and good fishing in either the Selway or Moose Creek, but a hike to either one from the strip. Warm Creek has a good hot tub to soak in and is upstream from Garden Valley which is also pretty easy. Each one is different and has it's own approach parameters. Just practice slow flight till it comes out your ears, and start getting as close to your intended touchdown point as you can on landings. On most strips up there in my Tripacer I touched down within less than 100 ft from the threshold and was usually stopped before half the runway was used. Many are uphill which helps a great deal in rollout. Big Creek is an example. You can land at mid field and coast to a stop without brakes before you get to the end. Looking forward to meeting all.

[OregonMaule offline]

iceman, good thoughts. Last year I flew with Bruce to Sulfur Creek and Big Creek. This year I'm ready for more in my plane as part of a group. It's going to be fun.

Rob

[iceman offline]

Rob, Are you into fly fishing? Cabin Creek is a beauty. And if you fish it is almost always good. I've never been skunked at cabin. It's one way in and one way out but it is a pretty good uphill and again I was stopped and parked at the halfway point the three times Ive been there. Thomas is another good one way strip and it is a nice one mile hike up the Middle fork to the hot springs and a warm waterfall shower. Upper loon is spectacular and pretty easy. I always catch fish there and there are the remnants of the old gold operation to explore.Indian creek is upstream from Thomas but not much to do there but watch the rafters stop for a break and supply load up. Cayuse is good fishing but the strip was pretty rough and bumpy when I was there but the PA 22 has a pretty stout nose gear. SHearer was good fishing also and none of these are particularly dicey strips but as I say they all have different approaches. All are fly up or down a canyon, usually over water ways and most have decent long finals to get set up. Forget strips like Dewey Moore and Mile Hi, although those who have been into them say they aren't as hard as they seem. I would rather not and wish I did than break the plane for a good fishing spot or just to say I've been there. Elk city is a nice destination and My good friend and flying buddy Curt Jones is the airport mgr there. He bought property on the strip and put up a hangar and is moving there from here lock stock and barrel. Good food in town and always good fellowship at Curts hangar. Any questions don't hesitate to ask if I can help but as I say I defer to the locals up there as they are way more experienced than me in their back yard...

[chrisg]

For those going to the BCP fly-in, there is also a work party at Big Creek on that Saturday.

June 28 Big Creek (U60) Work Party.

Contact:
Jerry Terlisner 208.859.7959

[iceman offline]

And the tips of the three cones that were buried months ago....

[low rider offline]

Anybody headed there from the Norcal/Reno area?

[iceman offline]

If I am able to make it I will be going from KRNO.[/quote] You WILL be able to make it John!!!!

[iceman offline]

I'm headed up on the 23rd or 24th from San Diego. First stop Tonopah, then Battle Mountain, Then into JC.....See you all there.

[Zzz]

The person who travels furthest to get to the fly-in gets a free BCP t-shirt. Huge incentive, I know...

[hicountry offline]

Hope to be there by Saturday, June 28

[iceman offline]

He's a busy guy..... Very important too!!!

[Guy offline]

I will fly in thursday or friday before and then will be staying for at least a week. The Cessna 180-185 fly-in at Johnson Creek is the following weekend. See you there! (I am looking forward to the t-shirt.....)

[iceman offline]

He's a busy guy..... Very important too!!!

Hey am I getting some respect here? dammmm I always liked Butch!!!!

Now a 3rd thing came up for that time. I will know more in about 3 weeks. I would hate to have to tarnish my record of making them all so far.
J

Like I said you are an important guy.