Over the spine of the Washington Cascades.

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 10:36 am

This weekend Tammy and I took the Maule across the Cascades to Vancouver, WA to meet her friends for dinner on the Columbia River. After that we took the short hop to Kelso, WA to spend the night with her friends. On the way back yesterday I plotted a direct course over Mount Saint Helens. What a spectacular day to enjoy the Washington Cascades. Clear and smooth and amazining.

I especially love the shot with Mt. St. Helens in the foreground, Spirit lake in the middle, and Mt. Rainier in the background.

On days like this Washington is amazing.

MrHRC · Post by **MrHRC** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 12:42 pm

Pretty Sweet!

Isaac · Post by **Isaac** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:00 pm

Those are some amazing mountains.

pilot · Post by **pilot** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 3:56 pm

Isaac wrote:Those are some amazing mountains.

Yes indeedd.....

cs409 · Post by **cs409** » Mon Jul 20, 2015 4:03 pm

am not a geologist but i agree!

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:07 am

A few more pics, same trip, including Mount Adams

Mt. Adams is a very powerful 'broad shouldered' volcano. Intimidating to fly close to.

You can see there is still some activity in Saint Helens, more on the way I'm sure. In Washington, our mountains explode.

Short final into Pearson Field, Vancouver, WA.

Mt. Adams and Mt Rainier between the struts.

cs409 · Post by **cs409** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 9:40 am

great photos.

truthinbeer · Post by **truthinbeer** » Tue Jul 21, 2015 6:35 pm

Terrific shots doc. You did not get the feeling you would be swallowed up (or spat up) over Mt St Helens?
Do you have an STC for that dashboard duck?

Njacko · Post by **Njacko** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 2:23 pm

Awesome photos Doc.

Helps me fto imagine the power which formed those craters.

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 5:26 pm

I figured the mountain has not blown up for 35 years, so I thought that I had a pretty good chance. Mount Adams though, is also due, as is Mount Rainier. I fly in around those both frequently.

I can just imagine the NTSB report. Bear in mind, almost always the last line is "pilot error". The report would read something like failure to maintain safe clearance from a volcano during a massive eruption, precipitating subtotal vaporization of airframe within a matter of nano seconds.

The next step would be an AD against all Maule airframes, for installation of asbestos panels on the inferior surfaces.

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 5:28 pm

The duck, is approved for use in the airplane. Like most airframe elements for Maules, it was purchased at the dollar store.

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Wed Jul 22, 2015 6:54 pm

Nice!

chris erasmus · Post by **chris erasmus** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 1:46 am

dont know about the mountains, but you have great taste in woman.

captnkirk · Post by **captnkirk** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:39 am

It always the accessories that make life interesting. 😉

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Thu Jul 23, 2015 8:58 am

I am still making up for the gigantic %$#@ of my previous marriage. If I deserve happiness, I am getting it now.