Near Life Experience

The highlight of guiding with the float-plane this summer was being able to bring my son along with me on a trip to Twin Lakes to see and explore the famed cabin of Dick Proeneke. Dick built his cabin almost entirely with materials from the surrounding landscape, and built purely by hand. The weather was perfect and the fall colors were awesome.

Hillside above Twin Lakes


Some of the hand tools used


The Cabin


Cache or Credit?


Father & Son


Coleson's shot


Cozy

Float

One of the items on my "to do list" has been to get a seaplane or "float" rating. I started to learn in a floatplane when I was a kid, and have always been intrigued by them.
This Spring I started picking up a few pointers here and there, and by the end of June I was able to take a checkride and received my rating.

The plane I used was a highly modified Cessna 180 with Aerocet 3500L's. The engine has been upgraded from a O-470 at 230hp to an IO-520 at 300hp, which really makes the plane perform well on the water. Since getting my rating, I have flown the company's other Cessna 206's as well as continuing to fly the "180". Floats, like Skiis, open up many more opportunities, as now the lakes and rivers become fair game.


Me and the Cessna 180 on Aerocets


Landing


One of the 206's


Step Taxi

Sweet Hitch-hiker

Every year a group of people led by John Branson, traverse a portion of the Lake Clark National Park. John is the park historian and often follows ancient trail routes used long ago. This year Bran was able to participate (she was prevented from going last year due to injury from a clam digging expedition). So this morning at 7:30am she climbed into a float plane and away they all went. This trek is only two days, but not a leisurely stroll by any means. They took minimal gear, packs weighing under 15lbs, no tent, and the food looks more like snacks than real meals. They will hike until midnight, then grab a few hours rest and head out the next morning hoping to make the rendezvous for a ride home. Check out Bran's Blog in the next couple of days for a report on her trip.

Part of the Group


Boarding the Plane


Off They Go