Merrill Pass is an infamous route through the Alaska Range. Many aviators have lost their lives in Merrill and wreckage litters the floor to prove it. My scariest flight ever was in Merrill Pass. As weather descended and we lost visibility, we were forced west. We made our way to Illiamna with low fuel and even lower cloud layer. After staying the night we woke up the next morning and flew back to Anchorage through Lake Clark Pass.
I have a link to plane wreckage photos on my website
This is one of the many glaciers in the pass. As you can see, the colors are already starting to change on the trees.
This is another look west before the pass narrows.
This is look west near the center of the pass. This is where it narrows and weather builds in this area. I hiked to 5 plane wreck sites from here.
This guy came out to see what humans were doing on the floor of Merrill Pass, a rareity for sure.
Weather improved as we headed home. This is a look east with Shamrock Glacier in the background. There is a black bear on the flats in this photo. I got a couple shots of two bears as we flew over. We stay high and try not to bother the wildlife.
A closer look at Shamrock Glacier. It is rare to see no wind in Merrill.
Here is a shot of Blockade Glacier as we head futher east.
Hope you enjoyed your tour through Alaska's notorious Merrill Pass.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alaska48/
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment