Northern Rockies Lodge is having a pilot briefing Friday evening at 7pm at their hanger in Pitt Meadows for anyone interested in going to the Fly-in April 1/2/3. We have 4 planes from Langley 1 from Pitt Meadows and 1 from Spring house already going. Should be great fun.
KenW

Awesome place to have a fly in. I've flown out of there in the past and it is truly one of the most spectacular places in North America. I wish I could attend.

Should be a lot of fun. First time for me to land on an ice runway and they are going to bus everyone up to Liard Hot Springs. Hope the weather works

175 magnum wrote:Should be a lot of fun. First time for me to land on an ice runway and they are going to bus everyone up to Liard Hot Springs. Hope the weather works

Man that sounds like fun! Liard hotsprings is beautiful. Maybe I'll have to take a fly...

Any of you folks planning still planning to head north for the Muncho Lake fly in next weekend?

We will likely head up this year. Not far for us from Ft Nelson. Have been meaning to go for the past few years, just got tied up with other things. Urs and Marianne have a beautiful lodge at Muncho and the hot springs are great this time of year.

Anyone looking for a stopover point is welcome at our place, Gordons Field, CBL3. Have one strip plowed, 2400' grass, a bit muddy on top right now as the frost is coming out. The other strip is 3400', has not been plowed this winter, good for skis.

We have a guest room, and or wheels to get to town.

Hope to see some of you there.

UpNorth

I may take this in. Need to discuss it with the wife. Also depends on my plane being ready. May see you there!
David

Wish I could make it.

This is from several years ago and is not intended to show current conditions- only the setting:

Weather is looking very good. Looks like we have 4 planes from Langley, one from Pitt Meadows and one from Springhouse confirmed to fly up on Friday.. Our planned routing is Langley ,Mackenzie for fuel, Fort Ware, Muncho Lake. Urs said they have 100ll and jet fuel and heater plugins there. Really looking forward to this. Be really nice to meet up with some of you folks.
KenW

175 magnum wrote:Weather is looking very good. Looks like we have 4 planes from Langley, one from Pitt Meadows and one from Springhouse confirmed to fly up on Friday.. Our planned routing is Langley ,Mackenzie for fuel, Fort Ware, Muncho Lake. Urs said they have 100ll and jet fuel and heater plugins there. Really looking forward to this. Be really nice to meet up with some of you folks.
KenW

My wife was wondering what the cost is? Do we need to book at room at the lodge?

I believe you do have to but I am not sure. Here is a link. Give them a call.

Thanks Ken.

Hi Guys

I just spoke with one of the folks at the Northern Rockies Lodge at Muncho Lake regarding the fly in this weekend on the ice runway. He advised that it is looking like the ice runway may be closed due to the unseasonably warm weather we have had here over the past week. They were planning to plow the gravel strip about 10 km south of the lodge for those that still plan to attend. Approx 1800' if memory serves me correctly.

The weather turned here last Friday and we have had extremely warm temps for this time of year. At least 80% of our snow gone over a 5 day period.

The fellow I spoke to said Urs (the owner) would be back within the hour. I will call him back then and update here once I have confirmed.

Has anyone had any other updates?

Rod
UpNorth

I wondered that Rod. Our snow has melted like crazy over near GP as well. Looking like I won't have my lower cowling by the weekend, so I won't be able to make it. Was hoping to meet some of you guys.
David

Just spoke with Urs. He says the snow is nearly all gone from the lake and water is pooling where they have the strip cleared. He recommends not using the ice runway.

That being said, all are still welcome to fly in to the Muncho strip and he will pick you up there. Said they plowed it and is dry gravel on top. Good base up there so it will be solid. He uses 1600' for length there.

Nearly 20c here again today.

A bunch of the local crowd are headed to Tuchodi Lakes to land on wheels and burn a wiener around the fire on Saturday. Plan is leave Ft Nelson mid morning and head up that way. Sounds like 6-8 planes from here and points south. Ice conditions could possibly be an issue there as well. Saturday will tell.

We will likely head up to Tuchodi on Sat morning and then fly over to Muncho later in the day. Any of you headed up from southern BC way are welcome to pop by Tuchodi.

Also anyone wanting to stage out of Ft Nelson is welcome at the home strip.

Sorry to hear you wont be making it up David, I was looking forward to meeting you.

UpNorth

Do you know if the old Liard River Strip is closed permanently or just for the winter?
Just curious
Trim

The Liard strip is usable in the summer. I don't believe it is maintained anymore. I was on it 2 years ago with the Scout, all good.


Weather has changed here overnight. Good in Ft Nelson, looking questionable to the west. Spoke with Urs and they have good ceilings but some snow showers plugging up the valleys.

Met a few folks headed north through here to Muncho from Grande Prairie way yesterday afternoon with a Husky and a Rallye. They had great weather yesterday.

The Tuchodi trip has been tentatively postponed until Sunday. We will see what the weather does and may head up to Muncho this afternoon and over to Tuchodi on the way back tomorrow.

UpNorth

Wow, What a weekend. We flew up to Munch Lake on Friday. The ice might have still been usable but the taxi way had some holes in it so we landed on the gravel strip. The day was so bright and the reflection off the snow hurt your eyes. The air was perfectly still and flying amongst those peaks was beyond belief. Urs and Marianne treated us like royalty and the meals were excellent. Going up to the hot springs we got lots of pictures of buffalo, mountain, sheep, caribou and other various wildlife. We are already making plans to attend next years event. There were 10 planes in total. Grand Prairie was well represented with 3 planes.
I mentioned that a fellow from Whanam might be coming. One of the fellows (MIKE)was from Whanam and he just laughed. He said if David does come and I am already here that will reduce our population by 20%.
We could hear the guys from Grand Prairie talking to UPNorth on the way home today but we could not hear the other end of the conversation. I am thinking there may be an opportunity to burn wieners at multiple locations next year.
KenW

Hey Ken,

Glad it worked out well for you all. Friday and today were both incredible days.

We unfortunately made a poor choice to plan for Saturday to Tuchodi Lakes and then over to Muncho for Saturday night. As we found out Saturday morning the weather was less than wonderful. Blowing like heck and snow showers had some of the travel companions with other ideas.

We regrouped for today to Tuchodi Lakes and had an amazing day as well. 6 planes, 5 from Ft Nelson and 1 from Ft St John, all landed on the ice, and a great day around the campfire. Burnt a smokie or two, had a coffee, told some lies. A couple holes in the ice for some attempted fishing, no joy there. A 3 plane abreast short takeoff contest. Stopped at a local outfitters strip on the way home for another visit and 2nd campfire. Back home about supper time. A real good day in the hills.

I was speaking with Mike and Arnie when they were inbound to Ft Nelson and we were outbound. Tried to reach you folks but must have been to low.

Glad you all had a good time. Catch you next time.

UpNorth

Ok, this one was a really tough one to miss.

I've hunted Tuchodi Lakes and spend some time every summer at Redfern or further north. Love that area and it has been one of the prime drivers of my flying ambition.

Next year for sure. Just a few small details to take care of, like finishing PPL and buying plane, but making good progress on both fronts.

Love the trip reports, thank you.