People get too caught up in definitions

“I know it when I see it.”

SCOTUS Stewart

For me there is Backcountry Flying and there is the Backcountry. Heard good descriptions so far for the Backcountry in this thread. Solitude in nature is what best describes it for me. Being away from people is part of it but I also enjoy sharing the experience with my friends and like minded strangers. I live in the city - so getting away from noise, pollution, and people is much needed.

Backcountry flying is a really cool way of accessing this experience. When I bought my 180 I had no backcountry flying experience. I liked tailwheel airplanes and thought it would be a great combination of a crosscountry airplane with something enjoyable to fly. It had size 6 tires with wheel panties on it back then. I know you are supposed to buy the airplane for your mission but for me the 180 opened up the backcountry flying mission. I learned more about mountain flying and started exploring the STOL envelope in my airplane. I found this type of flying really challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding. Can't even image owning a pavement pure pounding airplane now.



Josh

Please tell me that’s you, Ray.

Yep , that’s me . All I used to do is surf or splitboard . All over the West and BC

sierrasplitter wrote:I used to have a firm grasp of the definition.



But that's a different hobby I have

It's pretty fun to combine the two!

It's pretty fun to combine the two!

Brian , you are truly

“Living the Dream “

Alaska ?

sierrasplitter wrote:

It's pretty fun to combine the two!

Brian , you are truly

“Living the Dream “

Alaska ?

Yep! Still pretty new to ski flying, but man, does it ever open up some incredible backcountry skiing/riding possibilities.

Brian. WOW. We need to see more pictures of this/hear more about this.

This thread took a great turn. That’s a good definition right there: flying for turns.

Great pictures Brian, it doesn’t get much more backcountry…

And now for the turn back…LOL

Thanks for all your definitions, preferences, opinions bcp’ers.
Here’s my take:
I’m coming from the soaring world.
Taking off from grass fields, flying cross country away from well trodden paths, sometimes low along ridges, sometimes up in the flight levels in mountain wave, then touching down in grass, at the home strip (mostly) or far away, on a cow patch or a plowed field (every once in a while). Always a spot landing, as short as possible.
I’m away from daily routines enjoying solitude and beauty in nature, in a space accessible only by plane, meeting challenges along the way - that is my backcountry soaring vibe.
It also describes what I’m looking for as backcountry now with 40ft less span and 180 more horses.
The only real difference being that with more control over where to go and land - and take off again - I can choose places previously inaccessible and bring a tent and cooking gear and stay a couple of days.

140eagles wrote:What does backcountry mean to you ?

I imagine this is different in virtually everybody's mind eye...

I recently received a call from a group of folks that wanted to stop at my strip while out on their backcountry morning travels. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet some wonderful folks. But I did advise that my strip was not 'backcountry', it's even charted... It is where many backcountry journeys have started though

If you grew up in Seattle or Portland, the Idaho strips might just be the 'Backcountry'...

On the other hand, if you are from New England, then Seattle, Portland, heck Los Angeles might even qualify as the Backcountry ;

Bigrenna wrote: The wilderness context is now anytime resources are overwhelmed.

If you tend to be somewhat socially challenged, but self sufficient beyond the norm, BC as it pertains to aircraft and wilderness seems to be something like this;

A place that doesn't have an 'airstrip' just to park an airplane
A place that'll fit 3 airplanes 'in a pinch' ... but certainly not a gaggle
A place that a really good horse might reach, but a mule might be a better choice
A place that a 'Jeep' to get there, best not be something a dealer has

This world is getting smaller by the day, and the people growth rate is astronomical. In the lower 48 I'd have to say that for my minds eye "Back country' is starting to get really tough to find, and it is usually landlocked by private land barring ground access.

In my minds eye backcountry generally means someplace sacred. Some place that people who just want to 'bag it' aren't even going to know how to approach it. Kind of like seeking out the wilderness designated areas to hunt, because it leaves all the UTV crowd (at least the law abiding ones) far behind. A place that usually has some old culture, it's just too obscure to be in every magazine or travel guide. A place that is in reality too much work for folks of a more normal mindset to want to fuss with, but for the folks that love it, that work is like the burn of a good workout for an athlete.

These places still exist. You just have to be driven to get there.

And while there is certainly nothing wrong with having a definition of back country that includes manicured lawns just a ways out of town to land on, I am happy that mine does not... I can stay home for that version

Take care, Rob

I feel like such a piker with my 5" nose wheel. Working the Yukon River delivering produce, frozen waffles and gatorade to villages in -20C and 18-24 knot crosswinds. The only pavement this plane sees is in Bethel.

aftCG wrote:I feel like such a piker with my 5" nose wheel.

No way! I think you win. You're living the dream! Like I said it's about the destination and I'd rather fly your tiny wheeled trike around the north than land on golf course fairways in bushwheels down here. Well, I'd rather do it all. Never gonna turn down a golf course fairway.