Around Yakutat: Sea level to 20,000 ft in 60 miles...

[P_7878]

The borough of Yakutat in Alaska (please note it's called a borough not a city) was for a long time, in my own virtual (and imaginary) world, my summer resort...😎...especially when procured at the (nominal) investment of $31.81 AUD spent for the Orbx rendition of PAYA (Yakutat Airport) ...🙂...The FSX/P3D offer on the Orbx website is still available today at the same price, I noted just now. Yakutat is special because from the outside world, there are no roads into the town of Yakutat. It lies in an isolated (remote) location along the Gulf of Alaska, at the mouth of Yakutat Bay, with most visitors having to arrive by air...suits me fine...🙂...

This picturesque seaside village is situated next to the rugged and tall Saint Elias Mountains which are among the highest coastal mountain ranges in the world, that rise impressively to the north and west of the town, off the icy waters of the Icy Bay. To put it mildly, these mountains are icy cold and saturated with glaciers and abundance of snow (see my pictures in shot #s 5-9 and judge for yourself). Lifting off from the sea level, as I was rapidly (and gingerly) climbing up along the icy and snowy passages to a final (safe) height of 21,000 ft, I could not help a sense of chill and anxiety even though all the time ensconced within the comfort and safety of my (modern) TBM-930 while (slowly) sipping a glass of Merlot...🙂...You see, the on-board GPS is guiding me along precisely (and effortlessly) to the co-ordinates of Mount Saint Elias...🙂... (User Waypoint = "CUSTA") ...

The St. Elias Mountains range is (aptly) named after Mount Saint Elias (seen below in my shot #s 7-8), located on the border of both Canada and U.S., which, in Canada, is 2nd in height only to Mount Logan, and in U.S., 2nd only to Denali (aka Mount McKinley). Approaching this 18,000 ft+ mountain, past the white (and smooth) landscape of ice and snow was indeed a surreal experience, even in my virtual world. The mountain peak is located just 60 miles northwest of Yakutat (see my MFD close-up Route MAP and VFR MAP), and 25 miles south of Canada's highest mountain, Mount Logan.

From atop Mount Saint Elias, as the dusk light began to envelope me and my TBM, I have set my course downward, from 21,000 ft back to sea level, over the [Dir-To] distance of about 60 miles, to the Approach Fixes of PAYA Airport ILS Runway 11. The TBM stood by me as a reliable old friend, bringing me safely down for a perfect touchdown into Yakutat Airport.

I've also shown a few pictures in and around this airport...including the shot of a (seemingly) well-to-do couple waiting for their ride while fully occupied by their (respective) cell-phones...what happened to a bit of chitchat...🙂...At least they appear not so much "plasticine"...🙂...

Meanwhile, it's time for me to unwind in the famous YAKUTAT LODGE (see 2 images, below) ...well-known as a landmark Alaska destination. The YAKUTAT LODGE website says, which is worth reading, "Yakutat Lodge is the place to visit for the fishing adventure of a lifetime. Bring your buddies or your whole family and come experience an epic Alaska destination. Yakutat features some of the best freshwater and saltwater fishing in all of Alaska. The wonder and beauty of the wild Gulf Coast and the Elias Range, resplendent with North America’s largest glaciers and prolific crystal-clear rivers, combined with an incredible variety of wildlife and ecosystems, will hold you spellbound in Yakutat..."

This is where cutting corners with that $31.81 AUD investment is coming back to haunt me...I wish I could ask that gentleman with the big catch in-hand for some fishing tips...🙂...Oh well...

Thanks for viewing...! Hope you enjoy...!

Edited September 10 by P_7878

[John F]

As always, a nice balance of words and pictures. Especially enjoyed your final four shots taken at the lodge.

[Jack_Sawyer]

Alaska is always so beautiful in the sim.  Nice shots here.

[pmplayer]

Stunning shots, Alaska always seems beautiful to me..

cheers 😉

[bernd1151]

Excellent shots and nice story, P_7878!

[CBass]

Great set of shots P_7878!!  The mountains look superb.  Really cool scenery!  Cheers,

Calum

[Alaska738]

Super scrennshots of Alaska! 😉 

Alaska is the most beautiful place in the world to admire magnificent mountainous landscapes! 🙂 

[andiflyit]

Great set P_7878. 🙂 Have all the Alaska Orbx sceneries for FSX/P3d but so far I didn't buy one for msfs. 

[P_7878]

Thanks, Friends, for the overwhelming responses...🙂....!

Alaska is surely a keeper for everyone...no matter where you live in the world ...!