Backcountry Pilot • Alaska in April. Look out!

Alaska in April. Look out!

Not necessarily information about airstrips or airports, but more general info about a greater area or a route of flight.
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Alaska in April. Look out!

I'm headed to the Anchorage in late April. Will be down in Cordova for a little while, then looking to get a little taste of AK and maybe meet up with some BCP people in very early May.

So far I am planning to see Aktahoe1 and Denalipilot(which means a possible drive up to Denali State Park if the roads are open.) Would be great to get together with some of you if you can make it to the ANC area.

What kind of weather can I expect that time of year? Is it the sloppy zone? Early/mid/post breakup?

Any suggestions on stuff to check out?
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Yo zane, I may be up there late A =P~ pril as well.....Maybe have that beer we were supposed to have......Vail
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vail

Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Are you just looking for aviation stuff or looking to get out an about for other stuff? Late April to early May and it will probably be pretty sloppy out. You should come up a little earlier and hit Arctic Man and give your ski's a good workout! 12,000 idiots on skis and sleds for a week make for a damn good time!

Early May, the fishing for Feeder Kings and Halibut is getting rolling, but it is still a little chilly on the water. If you are into trout fishing, the Kenai will be going strong with Rainbow action.

I get home May 3rd and am always up for a good round of beers n lie telling.
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Zane wrote:What kind of weather can I expect that time of year?


Good question! Still trying to figure out what the weather this afternoon is going to do #-o

Flew up last April; mostly clear skies and mild temps (40's to 60's) go figure. But, (at least out here on the coast) have had it down in the minus teens into May. i would say that most of the snow in Anchorage area should be mostly gone by April, but you never know.

What dates are you looking at? Should be doing my annual in Soldotna in mid April.

Chris
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

http://alaskaairmen.org/index.php?pagen ... conference

I'd love to make it down and say howdy (or see you if you make it up here to my and Denalipilot's neck of the woods) if I'm here in April when you are. I'll be in Nevada for Easter weekend but might make it back in time. Particularly for the trade show.

Are you going to be heliskiing Cordova? You lucky devil.

By the way it is useless to try to figure the weather in any other season except high summer, and even then it is dicey. Will likely be clear or partly cloudy I suppose, with strong sun but temps in the forties during the day, MAYBE the fifties. Cordova will be cooler.

Oh, and it will still be a little light out at 11PM.
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Zane-

The trade show that Once&Futr is talking about should be a great time. It's usually too late in May for my schedule, but this year is on the early side. We could try to link up and go from there.

By the way, I'm in Denali National Park. (You drive through Denali State Park to get to where I am.) Both good places to see.

If everything else is sloppy, the highway usually works in late April. :wink:

-DP
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Well, I guess by "weather" I meant frozen/thawed, the seasonal change of frozen stuff and condition of highways to places like Denali. :)
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Zane wrote:Well, I guess by "weather" I meant frozen/thawed, the seasonal change of frozen stuff and condition of highways to places like Denali. :)


It's a good all-season, all-weather highway. Passable in all but true blizzard conditions. Even for you ducks who think precipitation is supposed to be wet.
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Gonna give PNH a go?
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Zane, the Alaska Airman's Show on the first of May in Anchorage.
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Are you flying something up here or do I need to plug in the 182 and go pick you up in Cordova and get you off the tourist system (my bad, road system)?

Edit: Late April, didn't read it completely. I'll probably have one of the airplanes in Valdez for the airshow, might catch you there. How long will you be up here?
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

I think the Valdez STOL competition is the week after the airmans show. I gonna try and make both, [-o<
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Zane wrote:I'm headed to the Anchorage in late April. Will be down in Cordova for a little while, then looking to get a little taste of AK and maybe meet up with some BCP people in very early May.

So far I am planning to see Aktahoe1 and Denalipilot(which means a possible drive up to Denali State Park if the roads are open.) Would be great to get together with some of you if you can make it to the ANC area.

What kind of weather can I expect that time of year? Is it the sloppy zone? Early/mid/post breakup?

Any suggestions on stuff to check out?


I will predict "late breakup".

You will want to spend a day in Anchorage. The bush is great but you'll want to spend at least half a day walking around Lake Hood. The aviation museum there is worth a visit.

I may be in ANC. Let me know when you firm up some dates.
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Don't for get the Ak. Bush Co. while you are there. :D =D>
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

This could shape up to be a great trip. Gonna see about extending long enough to make Valdez.

Thanks everyone.
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Z,

I have always tried to avoid April in Alaksa. To me it means the ice goes bad and the beaches turn to mud, the snow gets soft and it is difficult to get in and out. Unfortunately it is difficult to determine what month April will show up.

Frankly, I am still avoiding Alaska in January by staying in Florida, but will go back home in early March. Although I have not made the plans for the time to go back to Florida and bring the wife up ( she likes to have the water running and not slip on the ice on the way to the outhouse), I my still be at Portage Creek on Lake Clark in early May. I could also be on the way to town. Lets keep in touch and perhaps I can buy you a beer and pizza at the Mooses Tooth. Orrrr, perhaps you can find a friend to fly the pass and land on the rock beach about a mile from me.

Gary
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Guest Cabin Always open................might have to chop a lil. wood :D

Palmer area, AK 66


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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

Zane
If you get a chance please look me up if you go through Valdez on the way to Cordova if you are ridding the ferry. My store is The Prospector and is near the ferry dock. Also yes the Valdez Fly In is the weekend after the airmen's show in Anchorage and is a great time. I would like to figure out some way of both BCP and Supercub.org people to get together at the event. If you have ideas let me know. I would be you are coming for the skiing and I think April is the best. You can warm up on the bunny slopes in Cordova and then come to Valdez. ;) Just kidding it is all good and Cordova is a great town.
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

shortfielder wrote:Don't for get the Ak. Bush Co. while you are there. :D =D>


Geez, are they still around? Send Mrs. Zane off to the mall, I'm not sure she would appreciate the varied entertainment on offer. Then again maybe she would....
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Re: Alaska in April. Look out!

shortfielder wrote:Don't for get the Ak. Bush Co. while you are there. :D =D>

Was wearing my tshirt yesterday.
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