SELWAY LODGE, ID

McCall Aviation pilots are some of the best in the country. There is nothing easy about backcountry flying, landing, or taking off. This particular flight is into a private lodge on the Selway River.

Music: http://www.bensound.com

The camping cousins met up in Spokane, WA to fly into the Moose Creek Airstrip (USFS 1U1) inside Idaho's Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness, the third largest in the lower 48. Moose Creek Airstrip and Ranger Station, which sits at the convergence of Moose Creek and the Selway River, is an oasis inside this massive 1.3 million acre wilderness area. Andrew and I have been camping together since we were kids and take a trip or two together each year. This time around, I brought my son along for his first backcountry camping and fishing adventure. Although the fishing was slow, the trip was fantastic and definitely one for the books! Our cousin Andrew flew us in his Cessna 182q Skylane II with upgraded Airlgas landing gear, a three blade prop, and new engine. This "Suburban of the skies" allowed us to pack in some extra goodies like root beer and chicken. Caed and I used predominantly DIY camping/fishing gear and filmed the whole trip on an iPhone7 and GitUp Git2P action cam. Looking forward to the next adventure, gents!

PS: Obviously, chili peppers are not a cure for giardia or questionable berries. We were being facetious, folks.

Watch the new Big Creek Lodge re-emerge from the ashes in this construction time lapse video. In 2008, the historic lodge burned to the ground in Idaho's remote Salmon River Mountains. Getting materials to the site was challenging---vehicle access to the site is limited to Jul-Oct due to snow on mountain passes, and a dirt mountain airstrip also provides access. The Idaho Aviation Foundation led the non-profit effort to rebuild it for public use in partnership with USFS/Payette National Forest. It is now open to the public (Memorial Day weekend to mid Oct)--enjoy disconnecting in this amazing off-the-grid setting. Get updates at www.facebook.com/bigcreeklodgeidaho or www.bigcreeklodgeidaho.com

Our backpacking trip, in August 2014, in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness of Idaho, spending time at the Moose Creek Ranger Station and visiting Shissler Peak Lookout

Departing runway 19 at Big Creek Airstrip in Idaho. Cessna 182P.

Cessna 172 H Landing Runway 20 at West Fork Lodge, Darby, Montana

Approach and Landing at Big Creek (U60) in June in a Cessna 182. There are several ways to approach this landing, and since it was my first time we took the extended route flying through the bottom of the mountain for a nice long approach. You can make a shorter left base if you are familiar with the terrain, or the mountain also supports a right base if you can turn around in the bowl to the north of the airstrip. As always use lots of caution and careful planning when going into new mountainous airstrips.

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Original audio of plane sounds. I have no idea what the sounds are. This was my first experience flying in such a small place, it was awesome and lots of fun.

Running Creek Ranch Website - http://selwaywildernessoutfitters.org/history.asp

Flying into Moose Creek Airstrip, Idaho to fly fish on the Selway River

Idaho backcountry flying. Big tire pilots. Oldest airstrip in Idaho