Talked to a bush pilot in Bethel, now I get the whole 'carry extra' thing

Was grabbing parts for a saw in Anchorage and ended up chatting with this pilot who flies supplies out to the villages. He said he always packs a spare fuel line and two days of food minimum, even on clear days. Said one storm can ground you for 72 hours and you don't want to be the guy who bet on the forecast. Made me rethink how I pack my own gear now, you carrying extra weight up there or just the bare minimum?

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nathan54517d agoMost Upvoted

Read a thread where a glacier guide said the same thing, always packs for two nights even on day trips. Forecasts can flip in minutes up there, extra fuel and food just buys you time to make better choices.