THIRD ANNUAL AVIATION EXPEDITION TO MCCARTHY, ALASKA

Mark your calendars for a fly-out to Fireweed (0AK8) near McCarthy set for July 12-14, 2019.

Pilots, please announce intentions on 122.9 for landing at “Fireweed Airstrip” which appears on FAA chart as (0AK8). Elevation is 1250 feet, packed gravel surface with 2000 feet between the orange cones marking the preferred northern end of the airstrip. Runways 01-19. Right traffic for 01. Park at the south end of the strip with nose pointed NW. For noise abatement on departures to the south on 19, turn left (east) toward the Kennicott River as soon as able. Call me if you plan to fly in and I will share more local information. See attached map for directions over the road.

For the ambitious, we will have a work party improving Glacier Creek (KGZ) on Park Service land 18 air miles to the southeast on Saturday.

The itinerary:

Friday, July 12

0800 – 1200    Al Clayton and Ray Huot depart Lake Hood, arrive Fireweed and opens Gladys the bus, and the buildings/systems
1200 – 1400    Yard preparation for fireside/picnic area for the party (a few early arriving helpers would be welcome)
1400 – 1800    Air boss Ray Huot helps inbound landing traffic park at south end of Fireweed (0AK8) and Ground boss Bob Waldron gets people and gear from strip to meadow for camping or other lodging
1800 – 1815    Safety briefing for optional Saturday mission to Glacier Creek
1815 – 2200    Potluck dinner at fire-pit
2200                Lights out

Saturday, July 13

0700 – 0900    Pancake breakfast and picnic lunch preparation at the firepit/grill (Al will supply the pancake batter, potluck additions to the breakfast menu welcome)
0830 – 0845     Pancake flipping competition (pan only, no flippers allowed)
0900 – 0915    Additional instructions and flight plan briefing for work crew outbound to Glacier Creek; discussion of local historic attractions for those staying in McCarthy/Kennicott
0930 – 1030    Air boss controls outbound flights and shuttle between Fireweed and Glacier (additional incoming weekend participants should avoid arriving Fireweed in this window to ease traffic)
1030 – 1530    volunteers at Glacier trimming brush/trees and improving surface (work gloves/clothes, safety glasses and limb nippers welcome; Al will have enough chainsaws, shovels and rakes)
1530 – 1730    Air boss controls return shuttle from Peavine to Fireweed
1800 – 1815    IFFR/RAF/EAA42/C180 – C185 planning meeting at fire-pit for additional 2019 activities
1815 – 2400    Potluck dinner at fire-pit with tall tales, embellishments and outright lies

Sunday, July 14

0700 – 0900    Pancake breakfast and picnic lunch preparation at the firepit/grill (Al will supply the pancake batter, potluck additions to the breakfast menu welcome)
0830 – 0845     Pancake flipping competition (pan only, no flippers allowed)
0900 – 1500    Self-help tour of McCarthy/Kennicott mine and historic railroad features (vans available on the east side of walking bridge over Kennecott R. will take you to Mine buildings, etc.)
1500 –  1700    Clean up, wind down and depart for home

It would be great to know you are coming; I would appreciate an RSVP. Email, call or text Al Clayton at 907-250-1649.  If you do not want to camp, email Al and he can provide several other options for accommodations at B&Bs and Lodges.