Flying Idaho Backcountry - Johnson Creek to Wilson Bar 

@janwojnowski3748. Thank you. Good to hear from our friends in Poland! I’ll be heading back up to Idaho soon. I’ve been studying the map at Lower Loon airstrip. There’s some nice hikes and a hot spring there. Same kind of approach- over the river through a canyon to a 1200’ strip.

GyroBlain. Thanks for the comment. I’ve actually found that taking time on the ground to enjoy the area makes my over all flight experience more enjoyable.

@cq7415. Thank you, and you’re welcome. Can’t wait to go back up to Idaho, probably next month.

@jerryogstad688. That’s good to hear. You know how amazing that country is. I can’t wait to go back this summer. Thanks for checking in.

@JM-iy6wm. Hi JM. Glad to meet you. I remember my dad telling me that life wasn’t going to be fair. I know a lot of guys aren’t able to enjoy their retirement. So I count my blessings every day!!

@Britishandproud123. Thanks. The weather is starting to warm up and I can’t wait to go back. Got a few new airstrips picked out to camp at and hike to hot springs!!

@berniebrown9115. Thanks Bernie. I can’t wait to go back and do another video. I’ve been working with a new camera setup. Hopefully I can capture the pure enjoyment of fly Idaho.

@shannonnickoloff6138. Hi Shannon. Yeah, I keep thinking I need a cabin up there somewhere. I can’t get enough of it! I’ve been planning all the places I want to go, as soon as it warms up a bit. Good to hear from you!

@Stevenmammano8783. Hi Steven. That’s gotta be a fun job. I landed over at Indian Creek last summer and talked with a couple of the guides. Keep up the work on the commercial rating, the airlines have been doing a lot of hiring.

@SR-gs8zo. Yeah Joe has 600’s on his Super Mountaineer, 700’s on his other Bird Dog. Although he’s been getting by with the smaller tires, he’s getting ready to put 850’s on. I’m considering taking off my 29” tires and going back to 850’s also. Bigger tires make it easier, but aren’t necessary for the places we land.

@thelobsta4844. Thanks you. Amazing country there in Idaho. Can’t wait to go back!

Honestly watching you fly by the seat of your pants is truly amazing. Impressive skill and I can only imagine your experience to get to this level.

Johnmarkey5470. Such amazing country. Can’t wait till summer!

You beat me

@danblumel. Hey Dan. Long time no see. How did I beat you???

@brianbeattyRV7Pilot. Hey Brian. Good to hear from you. Hope to meet up with you again sometime, either in Idaho or Colorado. I expect to be back at JC in July again and probably more often. Just pulled the engine on my Rocket-it’s going to be down a while.

Sorry to hear about the Rocket. If you all make it to CO we’d love to have you. Lots of great spots to land. Telluride, Steamboat, Creede, and many more. We hope to make it back to JC. What an epic trip! Keep the videos coming!

@sky173. Thanks. You’re very welcome . Can’t wait to go back and explore some of the other strips!!

@elkcircle7245. Thanks, yes it’s been a while, I never knew retirement was going to be so busy. I’ve got a few other videos I’m working on, so hopefully it won’t be a long while again. Can’t wait to go back to Idaho!

@youngskyculler. Thanks, glad you like them. Yeah, I watched a RU-vid video on editing with the 360, when I got my first camera. I’m still slow and inefficient, but I enjoy trying.

@michaelsamson. Hey thanks for checking in. That’s good to hear.

@eyesupaviation. That’s great news. I ended up switching to “Basic Med” for my medical. I’ve been flying the 185 more lately. Took the cargo door off for doing videos. Rocket is down for engine repair.

@@WheelsInTheSky I’ll have to look more into that. I’ve been flying a Warrior but looking into partnering with a friend on a Cherokee Cruiser up at OGD. All 3 of your toys look like they’d probably be more fun though!

@eyesupaviation. Sounds exciting. Hope Ogden is not too far to drive.

@CplKitfox. I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll have to check out that sim. Sounds cool. I was just looking up how to hike to the hot springs at Lower Loon, Idaho. It’s a 1200’ strip with a similar approach as Wilson Bar. When I go, I’ll post a video of the approach and what the spring looks like. Glad to hear you liked the Wilson Bar video.

@WheelsInTheSky No problem. Definitely enjoying your content!

@heinzpilot. Hi, it wasn’t long ago I was asking the same question. Here’s a video of how I do it: How to Mount Cameras on Airplanes #GoPro #Insta360 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AKKkPPcr9T4.html

@watchfordpilot. Great to hear from you. I hope your winter weather has been holding up so you can fly your Colibri. My Rocket is down for a bit. I’m pulling the engine, Thanks for the confirmation that it was cool, I had expected more enthusiasm from Joe! Idaho is such a great place with such an assortment of backcountry airstrips. Some with long smooth grass and others where your approach winds through amazing canyons over the river. Wow, you’re right. I just looked up the video you mentioned. That is the same strip, Wilson Bar! In a few months I’ll be going up to a new one, called HooDoo Meadows (4D2), elevation 8262. May have to take the 185, so I can haul my generator - I’ll need to keep my tent warm and pre-heat my plane in the morning!

@TheWiseGuyzz. . Thanks. Yeah, I tried to turn down the volume on that squeal. It’s the wind hitting the camera microphone. Wasn’t a problem on my X2’s, but the X3’s really squeal in the wind. I finally remembered to put a piece of tape over the microphone hole on the camera. Makes a big difference. But, it was too late for this video. I noticed it was especially bad when I’d slip- I was in a hurry to get down low to sight see. Thanks for the input.

@ST-gs8zo. I’ll be heading up to the Husky factory in Afton soon. I’ll talk to them about it. I actually think my Husky is pretty quiet. I also slow my prop right after t/o in noise sensitive areas. Now, my 185 is loud due to high tip speeds. In noise sensitive areas, I bring my prop back as quickly and safely possible. Some day when my engine wears out, I’ll probably go with a continental 550 and a new prop. For now though, I take my Husky backcountry unless I’m hauling a lot. It’s just such an easy and enjoyable plane to fly.

@TheMadMariner. I used a 360 camera on the wing and one in the cockpit. Just my iPhone when on the ground. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with my Cannon camera on a DJI gimbal. But, it’s a big set up. Been videoing out the cargo door of my 185. Give great video, I may post about it soon.

@steven2145. Thanks. Yes, Insta360’s X3

@DWBurns. Lol, Great, they always do such a good job there at Big Creek. Sat out on the deck and enjoyed ourselves.

@@WheelsInTheSky I want to go out there so badly. I have a Piper Arrow, the extreme off airport machine it is, no sand too deep or grass too long for my 5.00X5 nose wheel.

@@DWBurns Lol, but the important thing is you can get there fast. I know what you mean. The first plane I got was my Rocket. I could land at Smiley, Johnson and Garden Valley. The rest of the places, I could only overfly. I discovered you really need at least 2 planes. One, a backcountry plane, there’s so many amazing places to go and explore when you have a high wing. I’m excited to go back, just thinking about it.

@Kirby lone3293. Lol. Maybe not, Northwest/Delta stole my retirement. I’m just spending my 401. Enough delayed gratification, time to live now.

@@WheelsInTheSky that’s criminal, for sure. Love your videos, keep up the great work! What kind of cameras are you running? I am assuming an Insta 360 on the wing.

@Kirbyclone3293. Thanks. Yep, Insta 360 X3 and X2. My X2’s are starting to get unreliable now after about a year and a half use. But I have about the same luck with GoPro’s. I like the Insta’s. More streamlined, better mount, better stabilization and stitching.

@DanFrederikson. Hey Dan. Fortunately haven’t seen any bears. But we’re ready just in case!

@phillipr3011. Just having fun. I like to think I’m promoting flying. I’ll promote anything that gets you in the air.