Liftoff

Late summer in SE Alaska can bring foggy conditions, which complicates our surveying work. Helicopter pilots can't fly in low ceilings and can't lose sight of land, so we often have to pick our way through foggy patches of coastline. This has been the most challenging trip in terms of fog, but the weather was otherwise calm, dry, and lovely.


Jack contends with fog from the wheelhouse.


We transit over fog in the early hours of low tide.


Me working with our heli pilot Lewis in the field.


We had some beautiful days as well. Deep in Kasaan Bay on eastern Prince of Wales Island is a long fjord called Twelvemile Arm, where the tidal currents shape beautiful and interesting features like this sand spit.


This decrepit structure is a building that used to serve the Salt Chuck Mine. I had drums of fuel placed in the field at this old mine site, and after landing on our barrels and refueling after the tide one day, we flew around a little, looking for the mine pit. This photo doesn't do justice to the great maw in the ground. What an eerie feeling I had flying over this place.


The yellow Mustang suit and its grateful owner during a transit across Clarence Strait.



Thorne Bay, one of the larger communities and harbors on the island.


A small community at Point Baker, the very northern tip of the island.


Jack's wife Sharon in the galley on the Georgia Lee.


Sean and me enjoying breakfast after an early morning of flying.