Backcountry Pilot

[Grassstrippilot offline]

Well, I'm back to work and finally getting a chance to jot down a trip report from our weekend down at Tangri-la/Caveman.



The first week in May 2010 took us to the 1st annual Utah backcountry fly-in at Tangri-la, a.k.a. Caveman Ranch. What a great trip! We saw old friends and made many new ones.

Day one we left from OGD to Tangri-la. After getting home from a trip on Wednesday, things were kind of up in the air whether or not my wife and kids would be going or not. Our 6 month old came down with an ear infection. After checking with the doc and getting the green light (and meds) from him, as well as making sure that she was sleeping well through the night, we decided to give it a shot. Friday morning, we got the plane packed and just as we started to taxi out, when our little girl decided she needed to be fed (we had planned on stopping down the road a ways). So, we pulled up in front of the Auger Inn (the on airport greasy spoon) and all went in for lunch. Once all were fed and happy, we were on our way.

Once there, we set up camp and just hung out for the rest of the afternoon. Adam kept me busy by pulling me around to whatever it was that he wanted to check out.

Day 2 we flew down to Monument Valley for breakfast, over Nokia Dome, Lake Powell, and then back to Tangri-la. After making lunch, we ran over to Rockland Ranch, but it was too windy for the taildragger we were flying with to leave his plane unattended with no tiedowns, so we pressed on to Monticello for fuel while he returned to Tangri-la. On our return, I was greated by Gary on the radio saying that they were having a spot landing contest and I was the first contestant. I was informed that I had three chances and had to approach over the rock pile on the east end of the runway. I missed the rock pile, but had a decent landing. The next hour or so was pretty entertaining watching all the other guys buzz around the pattern. Both nights they had a big fire up by the lodge and it was nice to visit a little with everyone.

Day 3, we ate breakfast, packed up camp, and went back over to Rockland Ranch to visit the polygimists. They were very gracious to invite us in and show us around their "cave" homes, especially since we (5 aircraft) dropped in unannounced on Mother's Day morning. It was very cool. Then, after a quick lunch stop in Fillmore, UT, we landed at Ibex to find a movie set getting ready to shoot a film. A road had been marked off to keep all vehicles confined to one area, but from the air, it looked like a runway. Thinking that it was a leftover from the fly-in(which we knew was supposed to be on the south side of the island) and seeing tracks, we landed and rolled up next to a truck with a young kid in it. Ends up he was the security watching the movie set until it was used. He said we weren't the first to land on it. We had a nice, quick visit with him before heading home.

A great weekend of flying with great people. Rob, Matt, and Gary, it was great to see you again. Rich, Blu, bmurrish, and amacBean, it was great to meet you. Wayne, it was great to meet you and your family. It was nice to see another famliy out with their baby. A big thanks again to Rod, Paula, Hunter, Johnny, and Gary. We hope this becomes an annual event. It was a great way to start off the flying season! Hope to see you all in JC this next month!

Here are pictures and videos of the trip. Enjoy!

[mountainmatt offline]

Great report Cory! Heck of a video too (I like the music).

Your family is wonderful. It always makes me smile seeing your family camping out and having a great time. Wish I could have stayed a bit longer to visit, but I guess I'll be seeing you in a month.

[Skystrider offline]

Loved the video and music Cory! Thanks for posting it for the rest of us.

[Tadpole offline]

I agree, thanks!

[rfinkle offline]

Hey Cory:

Fantastic report and video. You really captured the spirit of the trip. Thanks for posting all of it. Hope to see you all at JC

[m7flyer offline]

Nice Video Cory.
Not as good as being there, makes me want to go next time.

[SixTwoLeemer offline]

Nice job...wish'd I were there.

[hicountry offline]

Nice Corey..I love the picture of your son with the computer beside the plane...priceless!!!!
Hope to see you all at JC!
Fly safe..wherever you go.
HC

[nmflyguy offline]

Cory,

Nice work on the video, thanks for sharing it with us. Looks like you've done a superior job of getting your family into the backcountry flying lifestyle!

I wasn't able to do the CaveMan fly-in - my plane was in annual that weekend (but she's back in the air again, flying just about every week!). After hearing the positive reports from you and others, I definitely want to make the flight over to TangriLa and see it for myself sometime this year.

Duane

[Grassstrippilot offline]

Cory,

Nice work on the video, thanks for sharing it with us. Looks like you've done a superior job of getting your family into the backcountry flying lifestyle!

Duane

Thanks guys! I'm extremely fortunate since it didn't take much to get them into backcountry flying. During college, I used to pick my wife (then girlfriend) up right after she got done with the graveyard shift. She'd sleep on the flight up to Idaho, we'd spend the day hitting strips, grab a late lunch/early dinner on the way home, and then she'd pay for half of it! No doubt that she was a keeper! Luckily she really looks forward to our trips every year. Having the little ones has slowed us down a little, but it is well worth it to camp with the family. We wouldn't have it any other way.

[jomac offline]

wow, very good job on the video and etc. hope to get to jc this yr to meet u guys...
spent last yrs jc wkend helping fix tires on a/c in some strange places...!