Alaska Range Fly Over
Bush pilots might get use to it, but the thrill of flying over wild, mountainous terrain in a small plane is one of my favorite parts of going to places like Alaska. The video below captures a bit of what it is all about.
This flight took place on the way out from the Kahiltna Glacier back to the town of Talkeetna. Our pilot, Tyler from TAT, was mildly disappointed when he showed up and found out that the Swinging Sultanas (our official team name) was four stinky guys, not a group of girls. Fred Marmsater asked if we could fly back via the famous “One Shot” gap, but Tyler said, “We could… but I know an even better way.” He wasn’t kidding – I have no idea where we were or the names of the peaks, but they were mighty cool and beautiful. At about the 20 second mark, a random point release avalanche cuts loose from near the top of a peak.
On the flight in, we flew in TAT‘s Turbine Otter, (aka “Precious”), but on the flight out, we were in a classic old Beaver, complete with Jonny Cash in the headphones, wood dashboards and the throaty, roaring engine.
________________________________
Help support StraightChuter.com and keep your gear ready to fly with a Mountain Hardwear Expedition Duffle from Backcountry.com. Click on the photo below…
Category: Trip Reports
Nice footage of some amazing country.
In an odd coincidence, I’m actually reading “Wager With the Wind: The Don Sheldon Story” right now. Interesting biography of one of the early bush pilots, based out of Talkeetna.
That is a gorgeous video.