Weather, Whitehorse and Watson Lake

The men departed Wasilla at 8:30 on Monday morning. Looking to the southeast it was obvious that the flight would be dealing with low ceilings and rain. At about 500 above the ground the men entered the first series of passes on their way to Gulkana. The ceilings remained 500 above the ground and rose as they approached Gulkana. Filling the Last Chance with fuel there, they pressed on to Northway. At this stop the winds had picked up and given them some good groundspeeds. Calling customs at Northway, filing a flight plan and fueling, the men departed on runway 26. Just as they got to 100 feet the inspection oil door flew open and bent itself into the engine compartment. Rich quickly turned the plane back to the runway and landed. Inspecting the door they found that the top hinge pin had slid 3/4 of the way out letting the door disconect. Rich straighted the door out and reinstalled the pin, which thankfully, was still hanging on by an inch. Then they departed from Northway again and headed into the mountains. A plane arriving from Whitehorse as they were leaving said that 60 miles from Whitehorse the pass was getting bad. Ceiling were coming down and he had only 200 over the ground to clear.
The men pressed on knowing that if if became impassable they could always turn around or land on the road. Finding the ceiling coming down fast at Bear pass the men made it through and on to Whitehorse. Grateful to see the runway and knowing they could now rest the men landed and went through customs. In Canada again they got out their charts and planned the next day's trip. No internet that night as there is none at Whitehorse in the rooms they stayed at.
Awaking this morning at 6 am the men were disappointed to see fog, rain, and no visibility. After breakfast and talking to the Flight service weather people it was decided to wait for a while to see what the weather would do. No one was flying as about 10 other planes were tied on the ramp waiting. Around noon the men checked weather again and found that no one was going from Whitehorse or Watson Lake. Everybody was sitting tight. Rich looked at the long term synopsis of the weather and it was for the same for three days more. Seeing a large system working down from the North they knew if they didn't try it now they would be stranded indefinitely. Loaded and ready the men decided to depart and take a look. It was good until they reach mid point in the mountains and then the ceiling began to get lower and rain started. Pushing on they made it to Teslin lake where 3 planes were waiting on the ramp. As they were passing the Teslin strip Rich gave a pilot report from the air to the men on the ground that the pass was doable to Whitehorse and they all raced to their planes and took off, glad that the Last Chance was the first one through. Straining to see through the rain they pressed on to Watson Lake arriving on schedule. Two more planes were waiting at Watson Lake to go to Whitehorse and after talking to the men they quickly took off and headed north. Fueling up and taking off again they talked to a pilot in a Super cub who was coming in from Ft. Nelson. He said the passes were good and just rain to deal with. He had been able to stay 1500 above the ground. The guys were releaved to hear that and found the conditions just as he said all the way into FT. Nelson where they landed for the night. They found the Red Laurentian again,ready and waiting but no Jillian. Bob was working and brought the car around for the guys to load their gear and it was into town for a well-deserved supper and sleep. Thanks Bob for the great ramp service! Bill did a great job flying today and made some really good takeoffs and two real nice landings! Way to go Bill! (he's one tired puppy tonight!)