VOLUNTEERS PREPARE RYAN FIELD FOR WINTER

A group of volunteers flew in and camped at Ryan Field on the October 11-13 weekend to prepare the airfield, the cabins, bear boxes and barn for Montana’s winter.  

Nights were chilly and clear, making Northern Lights very visible. Daytime sunshine put fall colors on display, and made outdoor work very enjoyable. A half dozen dead or threatening trees were felled, bucked and split, yielding cords of firewood. RAF Director Mike Perkins brought his hydraulic wood splitter, and Caleb Young who’d flown his family in from Idaho gave it some stiff competition with his pulaski axe. George Weaver also flew in from Idaho and put his weekend to use on carpentry tasks. Former RAF Director Peter Burwell’s C&B Operations had helped provide John Deere equipment, including the electric Gator that hummed all weekend, easing the work of moving firewood, and hauling slash to the burn pile. The versatile diesel tractor saved hours of hand shovel work.
  
The field remains open for fly-in visitors, but the water is off and the courtesy car is stored until spring. Check for cabin availability here, and obtain the required current Safety Briefing if you plan a flight to Ryan Field.

Submitted October 15, 2024
Photo by Dan Soto