Idaho Backcountry Trip

It took me awhile but I have posted the video of the my Idaho backcountry flying/camping trip from earlier this summer.

The trip is always great fun and challenging. It seems like there are always things happening to keep one on their toes an this year was no different.

The first was landing with a flat tire at Blanding, UT.  Thankfully, the RV-4 is pretty stable under these conditions and I was able to keep it centered on the runway.  The tire was completely flat and I had to use full rudder and opposite brake to keep it going straight.  Of course, the landing roll was pretty short! 🙂  Friends Mike & Jan were there to help so the tube was patched and we were soon on our way.

Sadly, I woke up a couple days later to find that same tire flat again. Aircraft repairs in the backcountry are always challenging. 🙁  The patch I had installed a few days before was leaking. 🙁 So, I stole a spare tube from Mike and the problem was vanquished! Experiences like that certainly put the spotlight on tools and parts that should be carried – and being prepared for the NEXT time it happens. As you can imagine, my onboard tool kit has been modified to better handle that scenario – including a new tube. I think a fellow named Ben said: “Failing To Prepare Is Preparing To Fail.”

The second was rain!  My friends woke me up late one night and I could see the flashes of lighting and hear the thunder. I had a pretty good idea why they were bugging me!  I had fallen into the trap of expecting good weather so had lots of gear and electronics sitting outside. Friends Mike & Jan had a known hole in the roof of their tent so we scrambled to find something to make a temporary patch.  That type of work is always best done in the dark with thunder and lightning approaching. 🙂 The potential for serious wind and rain seemed quite high so I took cover in one of the buildings at Johnson Creek. The storm was kind to us and quickly passed overhead while dropping just a bit of rain.  Of course, those drops of rain were more than desired by those that had their tent set up in a depression!! 🙂

We were pretty lucky with smoke from the forest fires. It was present on the trip north and south but barely noticeable while in the backcountry.

The trip north from New Mexico included stops at Blanding, UT, Brigham City, UT, and Challis, ID. Of course, this takes me over the spectacular Canyonlands/Moab area and the always beautiful Wasatch mountains.

The return we stopped at Wendover, UT and Richfield, UT.

If you’d like to see longer version of the takeoffs and landings at the backcountry airstrips, please see the following videos:

Johnson Creek Approach & Landing

Big Creek Landing & Takeoff

Chamberlain Landing