Post by kbr on Jan 22, 2008 17:01:33 GMT -5
Today, after checking the weather, which seemed to be pretty decent, I set off from Petersburg for Juneau.
Here was my flight plan;
Taking off from Petersburg (PAPG),
Caught sight of this lighthouse off in the distance.
My prefered way to head into Juneau is by heading down the Gastineau Channel, which starts at the MARMN intersection on the above map. Here I am just entering the Channel.
Not long after entering the channel, visibility was completely lost. Not really having the equipment on board to navigate the channel with zero visibility, I decided to turn around and head back to MARMN where I knew there was water so I could land to wait out the fog. Had a scary moment on my turn were I saw the tips of trees peaking out of the fog beneath me. I was also reminded just how disorienting sudden loss of visibility can be.
Once I got some visibility back, I decided to make for Juneau Harbor instead, as it was closer and I didn't know how long I'd have until the fog returned.
Found a place to tie up.
Well that was and adventure. I think I'll find somewhere with a warm fire and serves hot chocolate and thaw out. ;D
I have to say that choosing to stay with real weather in this flight from Vancouver to Juneau, has really renewed my respect for just how unpredictable the weather can be. especially in Alaska where the weather can change at the drop of a hat and even the weather reports can't be depended on.
Well, after several weeks of flying in bad weather, I think I've had enough bad weather for a while. Though not my intended airport, I did make it to my intended destination of Juneau. Perhaps when the weather clears up, I'll add an a short of epilogue to this flight in a hop over to PAJN.
Here was my flight plan;
Taking off from Petersburg (PAPG),
Caught sight of this lighthouse off in the distance.
My prefered way to head into Juneau is by heading down the Gastineau Channel, which starts at the MARMN intersection on the above map. Here I am just entering the Channel.
Not long after entering the channel, visibility was completely lost. Not really having the equipment on board to navigate the channel with zero visibility, I decided to turn around and head back to MARMN where I knew there was water so I could land to wait out the fog. Had a scary moment on my turn were I saw the tips of trees peaking out of the fog beneath me. I was also reminded just how disorienting sudden loss of visibility can be.
Once I got some visibility back, I decided to make for Juneau Harbor instead, as it was closer and I didn't know how long I'd have until the fog returned.
Found a place to tie up.
Well that was and adventure. I think I'll find somewhere with a warm fire and serves hot chocolate and thaw out. ;D
I have to say that choosing to stay with real weather in this flight from Vancouver to Juneau, has really renewed my respect for just how unpredictable the weather can be. especially in Alaska where the weather can change at the drop of a hat and even the weather reports can't be depended on.
Well, after several weeks of flying in bad weather, I think I've had enough bad weather for a while. Though not my intended airport, I did make it to my intended destination of Juneau. Perhaps when the weather clears up, I'll add an a short of epilogue to this flight in a hop over to PAJN.
