In previous trips up to Lake Isebel, we have been flown with all of our dive gear into the lake which was only a 15 min trip by air from Monroe Airport. A very easy way to go!!!!!
This time, because of the unpredictable weather and the urgency of getting this recovery done, it was decided that all the gear and people had to go in the hard way- by foot.
Lake Isebel has what's called a "fisherman's trail" that goes all the way to the lake and what's called a "jeep trail" that ends within an hrs hike to the top.
Neither of these trails are maintained and are very rugged. Only someone looking for excitement should dare use them.
On Friday, Ken (the owner of the plane), talked a young man that was looking for some excitement, into participating in getting all the gear and themselves up the "jeep trail" as far as he could.
So off they went in a very rugged looking off road Suzuki 4X4 with 500 lbs of gear.
2 1/2 hrs later in the pouring rain, they made it to the top of the "jeep trail" and were dumped off.
Now all they had to do is get this 500 lbs of gear up the last stretch of trail which is almost straight up another 1500 ft. It took Ken and his team 5 trips and all day up and down the mountain trail to get the job done, they are some really tough guy's.
Now it is Saturday, our gear has been taken up to the lake the hard way and now it is our turn. Jeremy and I met the “Jeep Guy” at 6:00 am for a thrill of a ride up the “jeep trail”. With trust in machine and man, we made up to the end in about 1 ½ hrs. The weather was good and we made good time. What an experience going through streams and over big rocks that I would have guessed could have been done.
We were dropped off and then we were on our way up the final stretch to the top. WOW!!!!, what a hard climb that was and we were only carrying small day packs.
We were met by Ken and taken by boat over to camp where the awaiting airplane, still under water, wanted to see daylight.
That was our job for the day, getting the airplane completely out of the water and onto the beach.
With hard work and all the right tools, we did just that. The pictures tell the rest of the story.
At the end of the day, because of bad weather, Jeremy and I did hike all the way out which took us almost 3 hrs. Boy do I have sore feet and legs!!!!!!! But it was great exercise. Our gear is still up at the lake and will be flown out this coming week.
The off road 4X4 that took us to the top of the "Jeep Trail"
Pretty rough looking bridge on the "Jeep Trail"
Jeremy holding on for dear life
The start up the final stretch of trail, look at that slope!!!!!
Finally made it to the lake
The West end of Lake Isebel
Adding more lift bags to raise the aircraft
Even more bags, and it's working!!!!!
Ken (the owner) is very happy
Curt is also very happy that the project is almost done!!!
Finally now on the beach
On the beach from a water side shot
"The Players" Left to right- Jeremy (Diver), Curt (Diver), Kirk (Shore Support), Ken (The Owner)
Ken, giving us directions on how to hike out hoping we wouldn't get lost