#backcountryadventures

[zealoptics]

Taking Off with Zeal: Flying High and Stylish in the Colorado Backcountry ⛰️

Chris Morgan - August 2023

When: This Summer Where: Somewhere in the mountains of the western US

Laurie and I couldn’t see the landing strip as we committed to flying up the canyon leading towards the distant wilderness peaks. The forested hills gradually squeezed in on us as a wild river tumbled through the forest below our small airplane. We knew where the grass strip should be located, but the dense fir trees obscured any chance of a view. We were both a bit anxious since this was our first short field landing at a real backcountry airstrip.

A few minutes later we overflew the grassy meadow with the ends of the airstrip protruding outwards between gaps in the trees. The approach end nearly touched the winding river. We knew the airstrip was short, but it looked even shorter than we had imagined it to be. After confirming the wind direction I banked the airplane as close as I could to the mountainside and flew away from the meadow to set up for a turn to my final approach. Laurie, nervous about the trees just fifty feet off her wing, distracted herself by trying to shoot a video with her iPhone. The screen of the iPhone lent a distance to the reality that she was flying in the mountains in an underpowered airplane built when she was in elementary school. Another tight turn and we made our way back upriver. Our dog Zoe yawned and sat up from her nap in the backseat. She leisurely peered out the side window.

I did the final landing checks: Flaps - 40 degrees. Propeller - Full Forward. Mixture - Full Rich. We crossed the river one more time and gently descended through the gap in the towering trees. A slight turn to the right and we were lined up for landing. Seconds later the large tundra tires absorbed the soft impact. The tailwheel settled onto the grass and we quickly came to stop between another parked airplane and an ancient barn. We were both happy to be on the ground at a place that is only accessible by airplane or by a long hike up and into the valley.

I turned to Laurie and we smiled at one another. I gave my standard post-landing assessment, “It looks like we cheated death yet again.” She smiled at me knowing the truth is that I try to be as safe as possible. While flying in the mountains is inherently not the safest option, there are many ways to minimize the dangers and ensure we make it back home with wonderful memories.

Aviation had been a big part of my life, but when my career as a military pilot ended, so did my desire to fly. Having to pay to fly for fun didn’t appeal to me, so I turned the page and moved on to other pursuits. Strangely, it ended up being my wife who convinced me to get an airplane.

Fast forward one decade after my retirement from the Air Force. We had finished a wonderful weeklong fishing adventure in the Alaskan bush. As we flew towards Anchorage in the back of a vintage bush plane, Laurie turned to me and told me we should get an airplane. Not just any airplane, but one we can fly into the backcountry. She thought that sounded like a grand adventure for this phase of our lives.

First, I was shocked. Over the years she had shown no real interest in aviation other than wanting me to always return home safe. It was a quality I loved about her — she loved me despite me being a fighter pilot, not because of it. Second, I told her all the reasons that owning an airplane wasn’t a good idea; time, cost, maintenance, etc. From an empirical viewpoint it just didn’t make sense. She smiled and told me I’d come around.

It took me a whole year of pondering, but eventually I did come around. I did already have my commercial license, so all I really needed was to get my currency back - not really thinking that it had been thirty years since I had last flown anything that didn’t have an afterburner, carried missiles, and flew supersonic.

Eventually, we became the owners of a 1974 taildragger airplane with big tires, a strong engine, and room for our dog and plenty of adventure gear. The learning curve was steep and there was a lot to learn, but it didn’t take long before I was safely (but maybe not beautifully) landing on short gravel strips.

Summer is the time to get out and explore in the airplane. It’s a wonderful way to get to remote areas of this beautiful country, but the best part has been all the amazing, outgoing people we have met along the way. The flying is fun, but it really is the flying community that makes the trips so special.

Our Zeal Optics aviator sunglasses fit perfectly under our noise cancelling headsets, and the progressive prescriptions work flawlessly so we can spot other aircraft a few miles away and quickly glance inside and accurately read the cockpit instruments.

The copper Ellume Polarized lens has been our favorite for years, and it is our favorite in our aviator style sunglasses, too. Laurie’s choice is the Skyway and mine is the Hawker.

Here in the United States, we are blessed with a supportive aviation community, a vast network of airports, and a plethora of backcountry airstrips. We look forward to continuing our explorations, as well as supporting the organizations and nonprofits that are so critical in keeping civil aviation and backcountry flying alive and well.

We hope to see you out there recreating in the mountains whether it’s on the trail, at the climbing crag, on the snow, or on a grass airstrip in the middle of nowhere. Explore More!

______________________________________________________________

A huge thank you to Chris and Laurie for the adventure packed story! Learn more about our Metals Collection and the meaning behind them via the link below.

[anarchannie]

Ready for their close up What a Dino #snappingturtle #turtle #giantturtle #camping #campingadventure #backcountrycamping #backcountry #backcountryadventures #algonquinprovincialpark #algonquinphotographer #algonquinpark #algonquin #burntislandlake #ontarioparks #ontario #canada #wildlifephotography #wildlife (at Burnt Island Lake (sjö i Kanada, Ontario, Nipissing District)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT0ke63AkfV/?utm_medium=tumblr

[kitbadger]

Morning coffee followed by a little summit of Strawberry Mountain. With my faithful backcountry companion... #kitbadger #coffee #saturdaymorning #liveqordie #outdoors #explore #adventures #backcountryadventures @wise_men_company @the_official_q @scalarworks @kahlesshooting @edgarshermandesign @truenorthconceptsllc @lancersystems https://www.instagram.com/p/BxC_VoBn2eW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=dmh1e230vy64

[kyrgyzguide]

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A post shared by Local Guides for Adventure Tours in Central Asia (@kyrgyz.guides)

While spring comes in the valleys, the buzz is in full swing in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan! If the weather is favorable, then the winter in the mountains will be until May. Who did not have time to relax in the winter? There is a chance to indulge in winter fun and enjoy the spring! . . . DM to book tour www.KyrgyzGuides.com . . . Video by @rycetravelkg #freeridesnowboarding #freerideworldtour #freerideski #freeridelife #freeridespirit #freerideday #freerideparadise #freeride #freeridetour #freeridefriday #freestyle #backcountry #backcountryskiing #backcountrysnowboarding #backcountrycamping #backcountryski #backcountryadventures #backcountryaccess #backcountrydiscoveryroutes #backcountrysnowmobiling #backcountryriding #backcountrysnowboard #backcountryedge #backcountryhiking #backcountryexpeditions #kyrgyzguides #centralasiaguides #kyrgyzstan #WinterKyrgyzstan #CentralAsia (at Jyrgalan, Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca9BlxKok3q/?utm_medium=tumblr

[roadtrippinwithbobandmark]

30 of the 75 miles of the Burr Trail from Boulder to Bullfrog UT is paved. This is the point where the pavement ends. #offthegrid #dirtroad #backroad #backcountryadventures #scenicroute #adventureseeker #capitolreef #boulderutah #ticaboo #utahroadtrip

[giantloop]

From PNW off-road racer @rory272 ’s Revelstoke BC snow bike trip: “Just wanted to send you a couple photos from last week in Canada. I was using the Bushwackers Handguards, Zig Zag Bag, and a 1-gallon Gas Bag fuel bag on the front of the tunnel. I will try to get you some better photos of the products on future rides.” . #golightgofastgofar #backcountryadventures #snowbike #timbersled #revelstoke #designedinbendoregon #bushwackerhandguards #zigzaghandlebarbag #gasbagfuelsafebladder #backcountry #motosport (at Revelstoke, British Columbia)

[theproudes-blog]

Iconic #iconicred #northshorecliffs #familyvacation #princeedwardisland #proudes #backcountryadventures #canoncanada150 (at New London Bay)

[bannertimes]

Only 40 more days until winter.... ❄️☃️🌨 #Repost @dorriemiller6 with @get_repost ・・・ Can't wait to breath in that fresh air and carve some turns in the deep white! ❄️ #backcountryadventure #skidoo #sledbratz #ilovesledding #brp #snowwhisperer #womenthatride #backcountrysledding #coldsmoke #sledchick #forefun #morefun @highcountrysports @bannerrec @motor.tech via Instagram https://ift.tt/2SbWzX8

[ehcanadatravel]

Got some great riding in yesterday!! 🏂🏂 #crowfootglacierlookout #icefieldsparkway #helenshoulder #backcountryadventures https://www.ehcanadatravel.com/travel-community/724-expanse-cottages/profile.html

[amusclethesizeofyourfist]

Another one from this morning, looking off the side of Matthes Crest. #backcountryadventures #sundayfunday

[anarchannie]

That fresh coffee sound 😍 @aeropress has the most satisfying sound Ft. My reading material for the week #aeropress #aeropresscoffee #aeropresscamping #camping #campinglife #coffeetime #coffeelife #coffeegram #coffeelover #campingcoffee #freshcoffee #backcountrycamping #barista #backcountry #backcountryadventures #backcountrycoffee #algonquinprovincialpark #algonquinpark #algonquin #ontarioparks #ontario (at Burnt Island Lake (sjö i Kanada, Ontario, Nipissing District)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CUS773VlpNd/?utm_medium=tumblr

[backcountrycom-blog-blog]

Where did your weekend take you? Tag your photos with #BackcountryAdventures. | #BackcountryAthlete @kimhavell and her ski partner doing some cruising in the #Tetons this weekend.

[roadtrippinwithbobandmark]

Zebra Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument #gsenm #slotcanyon #southernutah #offthegrid #backcountryadventures #hikingadventures #escalanteutah

[giantloop]

20% off essentials for adventure, this week only! Plus up to 50% off select ultralight camping gear. At GiantLoopMoto.com and the GL ADV Shop in Bend, Oregon. Ends Friday! . #golightgofastgofar #designedinbendoregon #bendoregon #inbend #holidaygift #motorcyclegifts #adventureproof #adventuretravel #snowbike #sup #snowmobile #bicyclegifts #ATV #UTV #backcountryadventures #raftingadventure #kayaklife #overlander (at Giant Loop Motorcycle Gear for Dualsport, Adventure & Sport Touring)

[anarchannie]

He was our tour guide #merganser #merganserduck #duck #camping #campingadventure #camp #campinglife #backcountrycamping #backcountry #backcountryadventures #backcountryalgonquin #algonquinprovincialpark #algonquinpark #algonquinphotographer #algonquin #ontarioparks #ontario #joelake #lilypads #swimming #swimmingduck #canoe #paddleout (at Joe Lake (sjö i Kanada, Ontario, Sudbury)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT-hg2VFoYz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[anarchannie]

The Merganser #merganser #merganserduck #duck #waterfoul #waterfoulphotography #wildlifephotography #wildlife #joelake #algonquinprovincialpark #algonquinpark #algonquin #algonquinwildlife #lake #camping #campingadventure #backcountrycamping #backcountry #backcountryadventures #canoe #canoetrip #canoeing #canoephotography #ontarioparks #ontario #canada (at Joe Lake (sjö i Kanada, Ontario, Sudbury)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CT5DlLPldip/?utm_medium=tumblr