Article on Fly-in Camping

AJCustom said:
I thought of something that has some of they best fly fishing in North America, Navajo State Park outside of Farmington NM. It's a nice walk down the hill from the airport to the San Juan river below Navajo dam.
Click to expand...

I've looked at that. No doubt the fishing is good. From the photo in AirNav, 1V0 (Navajo Lake) doesn't look to have any "facilities" to accommodate camping. I did find some lodging in the town just West of the dam that was reasonable. Well within the range of the Sierra. Probably need fly into Farmington to rent a car. Might make for a nice fly-in destination for some of the like minded members in the SW or SC regions. Maybe get a "group rate" at one of the lodges.

I'd like to try one of Paul's "Flyking" trips, but Morton's neuroma would make the hike a short one.
 
niechiro said:
The American Air Camper's Association was acquired by Pilot Getaways. They still have their map of airports that have camping. It can be found at:
http://aaca.pilotgetaways.com/amair/map-search.php
Click to expand...

I've subscribed to it recently, in prep for a possible Western Tour. I'm a bit disappointed, though. The last comment, and probably updates, are several years old. I get the feeling it's a stagnant website that will become obsolete in the near future. I've been meaning to contact them to find out what's up, but it hasn't gotten to the top of my to-do list yet.
 
Nothing like airplane camping at Cavanaugh Bay, ID (66S). I made the trip last year and will be going back again this year and maybe for a BAC sponsored event.
e6d5cb8fd535d89847f601b5137245c7.jpg
9292ac90678419778e378f800c22c2ca.jpg
b33eaf44f79ba85839ab6f2d83b6d581.jpg
af39d60b2ea21b41f5bdae29a167c6c3.jpg
857bba4e841ec5bcf110c5725b793f09.jpg
57694bb7f1f9a6dedf42b4e8a3717708.jpg
90714335ef508f0f41df9af5d5142fb8.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
paxflyer said:
Nothing like airplane camping at Cavanaugh Bay, ID (66S). I made the trip last year and will be going back again this year and maybe for a BAC sponsored event.
Click to expand...

Went there after BAC Fest. Made a cross wind take-off. You'd be surprised how fast you start to drift after lift-off. With the big pines on each side you sharpen your technique in a hurry. The facilities were OK, but I passed on the bunk house. The coffee was on by 6:00 am when I finally got moving. The runway is a bit rough, but the Sierra took it pretty good. Keep the yoke back and it shouldn't be an issue. I was disappointed in the camp sites, not one was level or close to smooth. I did like the others and pitched the tent next to the Sierra. There was wood chopped and split so a nice fire to take the chill of the October morning was nice. So happens I may do it again. Our niece lives in Sandpoint and has invited us up to visit.
 
Flying and camping are a great combo. Photos are from east Texas, a few years back. Now that I have a station wagon .... errr .... Sundowner, I vote the same as Marty on the tent. It will be one that I can stand up in and have a porch rainfly for those guaranteed wet days. No more being on all fours to fit into the tiny door!

Marty - - keep the plans going! Days prior to BAC Fest makes sense for me. Please have us arrive a day (or more) early .... to shower before the others show up! My place (I keep a vehicle at KANK) is available for a tent-less reprieve for a couple of days.... or more.

Nelson
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2239ab_1.jpg
    IMG_2239ab_1.jpg
    412.3 KB · Views: 16
  • IMG_2246ab_1.jpg
    IMG_2246ab_1.jpg
    374.4 KB · Views: 16
trumpet nelson said:
Marty - - keep the plans going! Days prior to BAC Fest makes sense for me. Please have us arrive a day (or more) early .... to shower before the others show up! My place (I keep a vehicle at KANK) is available for a tent-less reprieve for a couple of days.... or more.

Nelson
Click to expand...

Nelson,

Thanks for the invite! I'll be in contact when BAC Fest gets close.
 
Just to show how I care seriously this airplane camping, I created a spreadsheet on lightweight camping gear. Every piece has been weighed and I'm always on the lookout for lighter REI gear.
18db795fe16bb2a67186d3f58a8f945f.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Basic stuff when I need to cook. Bigger events will often have food/beer tents where there is no cooking required. Notice the banjo?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Somewhere I have a spreadsheet I used for the Alaska trip, but I like your format with the option to include or exclude items, as well as including the airplane empty weight and fuel in the calculations. I think I'll update mine to be more generic.
 
Right, once I establish my cargo, it's a simple weight/ balance. I do like to pick and choose ahead of time. I never just throw stuff in the back. It's also surprising how fast the weight piles up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Byron,

Kern Valley is a fun place to fly into! (My parents live up there, I fly in at least once a month) There is a great brewery up the road. http://www.kernriverbrewing.com I have never camped there, and unfortunately, the lake is at a historic low. Rafting down the Kern River might make a fun event. (If California ever gets some rain!) The facilities at the airport look ok, and there is a place to bar-b-cue next to the transient parking. I think gas is available again via a gas truck. The on site tanks were removed a few years ago.

I would be willing to organize a fly in here if there is enough interest.

Rich
 
If anyone does a Flyping trip (Flying/Camping) please take photos and write up an article and send it to me. It seems there's a lot of interest in this!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top