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That is pretty country up there. About 20 years ago I bought a book called Fly Idaho, had a lot of back country strip airports in it, I have been to Hailey many times and Jackson WY, never had my plane out there yet to get into the back country, by the looks of the chart I see why its called back country. Rough country might be a better description, wouldnt want to venture in that area without careful planning or maybe an experienced guide the first time. That trip from Lower Loon to JC is not far, I wonder what happened?
You don't go direct anywhere out there, you follow the drainages. Also, of the sun is out we always limited our flying till noon. Pushed that once and it was rough. Lot different than flying the flat lands. I was lucky and learned from some experienced friends.
I got back from Johnson Creek recently. Like Steve says afternoon flying is not wise because of the turbulence. I've made the flight from lower Loon to J Creek many times it's not difficult if the winds and clouds are not a factor. I would take off from Lower Loon down stream, make a 180 in the canyon, fly up stream to Sulphur Creek than to Johnson. On our recent trip our flying was limited because of winds, even in the mornings. At 9 am crossing the 9000' ridge from JC to Big Creek I ran into some violent turbulence and decided to turn back. I take weather in the mountains seriously. Often when I get to McCall past noon I will walk into town and have a meal and wait for evening cool calm weather before flying over the 8000' pass to J Creek.
I have no idea what happened to these guys, leaving Lower Loon at 8 pm should have fine.....but.
We left Johnson Creek early one morning headed to Flying B for breakfast and got side tracked at some other strips and got in after they had quit serving breakfast. Decided to wait till they served lunch and left after 1 pm. Big mistake. Took a while to get up to the ridges and it was rough. We decided to go into McCall as well instead of trying to get into JC. Spent the afternoon in McCall and went back into JC late afternoon when it had cooled off. Lesson learned for sure.
Density altitude and canyon winds are big issues out here. One thing that doesn’t get as much attention, and that can reach out and grab you is sun angle. Whether it be blinding dew on your windshield when it’s nice and cool and the winds are calm, or getting out of shadow and losing all depth and detail of ridges, it is a real thing to reckon with. Not speculating, just another factor that could have been a contributing factor. Glad to hear some folks on here taking it seriously and learning lessons without losing the game.
Density altitude and canyon winds are big issues out here. One thing that doesn’t get as much attention, and that can reach out and grab you is sun angle. Whether it be blinding dew on your windshield when it’s nice and cool and the winds are calm, or getting out of shadow and losing all depth and detail of ridges, it is a real thing to reckon with. Not speculating, just another factor that could have been a contributing factor. Glad to hear some folks on here taking it seriously and learning lessons without losing the game.