|

FLY DRAKE!
So there I was sitting at the end of an airport runway, looking out the window at the usual things. The landscape, the tarmac, maybe the occasional glimpse at the wing to double-check its stability. Adreniline started to surge through my veins with the force of a river whose dam gave way. Flight can be scary enough, but in this case, I happened to be co-pilot. No, not because the pilot needed help, but because there was no where else to sit. After all, the back of the plane is filled with ski's, snowshoes, ropes, ice axes, and a plethora of mountaineering gear. This trip had me on board a flightseeing plane.

Everyone has heard of sightseeing, but flightseeing? Flightseeing is common in the far reaches of Alaska. For those who are adventurous enough it is a means to see the vast wilderness, frozen tundra, and mountain peaks of South Eastern Alaska. Flightseeing planes often are equipped with skis, which, for extreme adventurers, provide transportation to the top of a mountain range for unbelievable skiing opportunities.

As you can tell, by my brief description thus far, this experience already leans toward the outer limits of the average persons comfort zone. What was about to happen to me was far beyond my wildest expectations.

As I sat in the shaky little plane, I looked at my pilot for the slightest sign that everything was going to be O.K. As he turned his head towards me his overly long, somewhat graying hair skimmed over his shoulders. His oversized pilots' glasses masked the re-assurance that I was looking for in his eyes. Through the static ridden headset his voice came. "You know, I'm most peoples worst nightmare"... "They are nervous enough about flying in a little plane and then they see me ""the long haired guy"" and its like holy s***, I'm gonna die" In some respects he hit the nail on the head in regards to what my initial reactions were, but the fact of the matter was, Drake was a retired GTP racecar driver and that made me feel better. After all, people who race vehicles at better than 200 MPH and live to tell about it, have a special gift.

The engines revved up, the plane quaked, vibrated, and started down the runway with purpose. I looked out the window and gazed at the eagles that were dipping into the river that bordered the runway. The burnt rubber marks beneath us increased their frequency and dissolved into a blur as the wing tips started to gently dance as they caught the wind. Drake turned once again to me and said, "Say goodbye!" and just like that we lifted off.

How cool it was. Riding in a small plane is so much different than a commercial airline. You can see everywhere. You feel every little air current. You hear every little... "Hey, Move your knee" said Drake as he forcefully pushed me to the side. He popped open the glove box, reached in and fiddled with a little gray box and instantly I was charged with the screaming guitars of Van Halen through my headsets. Is this standard FAA conduct? Who cared? It was obvious that Drake had instantly entered his element as I watched him gyrate behind the console of the plane. I admittedly was being drawn into his world without much reluctance as I listened to the words of "Standing on top of the World" with new meaning.

The mountaintops that surround the city of Haines, Juneau, and world famous Glacier Bay, are really breath taking to see from the ground or cruise ship, but to see them from above is just numbing. I would have to honestly say it is like flying into heaven. The snow that blankets the mountain peaks, rock faces and valleys has no end. Where the jagged white peaks end, the sky begins, with nothing separating the two but the piercing rays of the sun that glint off the refracting snowflakes. The vastness is startling, but comforting. Clouds linger in the valleys with a softness of a first kiss. The fjords are painted blue and green with the paint of the melting glaciers and the Alaskan Ocean.

Drake was not only a pilot, but also a vastly experienced guide who was well versed in Skiing, rock climbing, and all aspects surrounding the backcountry. "The air is like silk today" said Drake, "It is perfect for flying" The plane dipped its wings as we made our way up a mountain pass. It is a view like none I have ever experienced. Its one thing to climb to the top of a mountain, but then you are attached to it and it is impossible to step back and see what the mountain looks like overall. We have all passed a snow-capped mountain by trail or airliner, but to be flying within the confines of the peaks so close you identify specific stones that rest on the mountain shelves, well, thatŐs simply incredible.

Another glimpse over to Drake gave me insight as to what this guy is all about, and why he is so suited for this adventure business. His love for flight, and command of the air reminded me of an eagle. He was intently aware of his surroundings. He saw everything, and floated the plane through the valleys with the weightlessness of a bird. Always sitting forward in the pilots seat, his head was constantly scanning the entire field of view looking for his next maneuver or exotic landmark to talk about. He was childlike in his excitement, and couldn't wait to show me the next thing. "Its so beautiful" he muttered over and over, and over, and over again. He was entranced, and even though he flies this area every day, his passion for this was obviously never ending.

"This is just too perfect, lets see more" said Drake " We don't get weather like this often". The engine wined, the plane twisted and dipped, as we went into a weightless fall over the vertical edge of a 5000-foot cliff. I could feel my stomach move into my throat, and my heart skipped about 10 beats, but it was thrilling. We dropped into a valley completely surrounded by mountains, and started an erratic yet gracefully smooth path that wound us through the unseen glacial ice field. To the right were avalanches taking place right in front of our eyes, to the left were a bunch of mountain goats dotting the shadowed ledge of a rock face. How did they get there? Further ahead we sailed over beautiful spruce and could see the cones blurred in the branches. A large brown bear looked bothersomely above as we rounded the corner into his territory. Drake was right. This was beautiful.

We came to a peak that jutted above the others like a spire that dwarfed the surrounding range. World-class climber Willie Wacker was about to scale this monster for his next adventure. The climb to the summit would take about a week to complete. "I dumped a cache of supplies for Willie a couple of days ago" Drake pointed out. "It was right over there, but I don't see Willie" We twisted around the mountain looking for signs of the adventurer, but could find nothing. I wondered about his well-being. Drake assured me that he was fine and probably just behind schedule due to snow conditions.

The community of Haines is lucky to have a pilot like Drake, I felt privileged to fly with him. His plane that is specially rigged with skis has dropped off skiers, hikers, campers, and their supplies in just about every type of weather condition. He has flown surfers to the Alaskan gulf, and even conducted rescue missions to save adventurers from wild bears and avalanche. It is hard to describe this experience in words, because for me the journey bordered that of a spiritual experience. The best way to find out more about flightseeing is to actually experience it for yourself.

Flightseeing isnŐt for everybody, but Drake can tailor make your trip. He is constantly aware of his passengers and can tell by looking at them how far to push the experience. For many you just fly offer the top of the mountain range, and for others you can take a ride like mine. Whatever you decide, just decide to try flightseeing. You will not be disappointed.