Who's planning to go to the CPA Backcountry Fly-In?

http://coloradopilots.org/registration.asp?event_id=marble2012

http://coloradopilots.org/calendar.asp?menuID=11~11

http://www.shortfield.com/index.php?option=com_jumi&fileid=5&Itemid=125&snum=sf_marble&initlat=39.0742&initlong=-107.2132

I'm planning on it
Hoping to bring the family and make a weekend out of it.
Blu

I will fly, Stacey will drive. Wouldn't miss it!!

One way or another I should be there.

I'm planning to be there, with Molly dog.

Cary

One seat available from KLMO or nearby. Sat morn arrival, Sun morn return.

filled.

I might be off work in between current and new job. If so I'll show up even if I have to drive.

I'm in!!

Missed last year, not gonna miss it this year!!

Glad your coming Matt
Any chance your bringing the wife?
Pretty much have mine conviced to come, and she'll be 8 months pregnant by then

I'm planning to bring my wife and 6 year old - but they are going to be driving in to camp with us.

soyAnarchisto wrote:I'm planning to bring my wife and 6 year old - but they are going to be driving in to camp with us.

I was debating the fly/ wife drive or just all fly question
I fly and she drives or leave a little behind and cram all 5 of us in
It's a pretty short flight but not a real long drive either
Guess I'll see how it looks a little closer to the time

What are the chances that the owners will tell someone they can't come because of the aircraft type? I completely respect their right to decide who can and can not land there. I probably won't make it but with my wife and I talking about moving to CO I might be able to use that as justification to head down and checkout the area

Most any plane can do it loaded light and in the morning.
Just not heavy and in the afternoon
It's a long strip pushing a mile if I remember right

Add to that I would say its more likely the pilot that will have trouble than the plane
It's in a deep valley and if your not used to that sort of thing can be intimidating and that sometimes leads to bad decisions

I don't know for sure and should probably keep my ignoramus mouth shut - but I don't think the owners are pilots or are experienced in making that decision. My sense was that the CPA was making the call on their behalf. If you call Bill and convince him you know what you are doing - that's the place to start. This was confirmed by another piece of heresay that was discussed at Johnson Creek over a bottle of single malt. Names withheld to protect the innocent/guilty.

I've never met Bill - I filed my request online. They took my money and sent me an acceptance notice pronto. I dunno - maybe I could be rejected later, but I did answer the questions correctly (CPA member, attended CPA mountain course, flying in w/ a decent powered plane). I don't want to belong to any club that would have me, anyway.

That being said - I prolly now need to get my money back cause I'm hopefully hitching a ride with lesuther.

Not worried about the plane or the pilot, just didn't know if there was someone that made a determination base on hp or aircraft type. Thanks for the info.

Whee,

Knowing some of the places you've posted where you landed I think you and your plane could make it. As was said, takeoff in the cool of the morning, light weight, and watch that DA. The strip is 7,900ft. I think after what happened with the Bonanza the owners are a little gunshy. Hope to see you there.
Ernie

Marble is 3800' long, 90' wide, at 7800' elevation. The runway slopes noticeably up toward the east, which is the direction you typically land; take-offs are typically to the west, assuming that the winds are favorable. At breakfast of almost any day in September, DA is already over 9000'. By noon, DA hovers well above 10,000'. If you haven't tried to take off under those circumstances, best to learn how before going to Marble.

BTW, 90' wide seems really narrow when you're trying to land between rows of tall trees 90' apart, if you haven't done that before. The canyon isn't narrow, but to safely turn around in it, you must slow down--I use about 85 mph. You also need to know your airplane pretty well, and you have to be comfortable flying near the rocks. Bill has put a pretty good explanation on the CPA website of how you should make your approaches and landings, and pretty near everyone uses them. Incidentally, he's a really pleasant and unassuming fellow with extraordinary back country skills with his Maule.

It's a really fun get together, with a lot of camaraderie, incredibly beautiful scenery, and a great barbecue on Saturday night. Last year there was a sheep run down the runway in the morning, and that was interesting, a flock of maybe 250 or so sheep using the runway for half an hour to move east to west. We had a huge number of airplanes last year, and already there are 18 signed up after only 3 days.

The owners are supremely pleasant and welcoming people who will make everyone feel pretty much at home. All in all, it's hard to beat as a fly-in.

Cary

Hah, nevermind, I didn't pay close attention to the dates. That's my son's first birthday and we're going to have a little get together that weekend at home, so....nevermind. I might go camp up there some other weekend though. Looks like I'll be transitioning from current job to new job with that following week off, so I plan to go camp somewhere...though it'll be weird camping without a plane.