UBCP “SLED DOGS” REPAIR MEXICAN MOUNTAIN

Utah Back Country Pilots Association President Roy Evans, II reports that recently volunteers, honorably dubbed the “UBCP Sled Dogs”, completed an exceptional effort restoring the BLM airstrip at Mexican Mountain, and it is now open. The scenic and remote airstrip had suffered significant flood damage, and the BLM environmental review to perform more extensive repairs would have taken months to complete. To return the landing surface to usable condition, these volunteers had to observe Wilderness rules and carry their hand tools, food, and water five miles round trip to the strip. They worked multiple days, camping in temperatures that dropped to 20 degrees overnight.

“Because of the restrictions on wheeled conveyances in Wilderness Areas, the Sled Dogs earned their name pulling plastic toboggans full of dirt to even out the runway surface,” Evans explained. RAF Utah Liaison Wendy Lessig acted as home base coordinator for communications for the work party. “Credit goes to UBCP for the planning and execution of this effort,” Lessig said, adding, “They made sure that Leave No Trace and proper care for the wilderness area was followed.”

Evans shared this story, “about what’s possible when a small group such as the UBCP Sled Dogs puts their minds and hearts together on a project,” on the UBCP website. See the remarkable story and before and after photos here.

For nearly three decades, UBCP volunteers have dedicated themselves to stewardship and ethical use of Utah’s over 200 backcountry airstrips as an important part of their mission. Currently, the organization is nearly 500 members strong. See Utah Back Country Pilots Association for more information.

The RAF deeply appreciates UBCP’s longtime efforts to preserve and protect the unique and spectacular backcountry airstrips in Utah.

Submitted November 15, 2024.