Coyote Air Blog

Break Up in the Brooks Range

flycoyote — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:14:32 +0000

Middle Fork of Koyukuk April 20, 2010

Break Up has arrived in Coldfoot. It is a bit early this year, and seems like it might be an easy one. The ice is out on the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk River, and the snow has left the floor of the valley for for the time being.

Wild Lake

As the winter snow melts and runs onto the lakes, the lakes temporarily flood like at Wild Lake. In a few more days the lake ice will brake free from the shore and float. Then all the water will run off of the ice and we will be able to land on the ice for another week or more depending on ice thickness and temperatures. This is always a fun time of year as the changes that happen are rapid and we are always wet and muddy. If you look closely you will notice that Jean (the aircraft) is on Skis.

North Fork of Koyukuk River

This year we did not have a large snow pack in the central Arctic. Valleys on the North side were largely blown clean, so break up on the North side will probably also happen quickly when it starts. I have seen a few bear tracks in the hills, and the caribou seem to be heading north at this time. Most noticeably the sun is just setting at 10:00 P:M. Summer is definitely close.

First Climbers in the Brooks Range for 2010

flycoyote — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 05:43:25 +0000

Base Camp and Drop on the Okpilak River

Yesterday we hauled in our first climbers in the the Romanzof Mountains of the Brooks Range for this season. They were a joint North Face/Alaska Wilderness League sponsored climbing/Ski team. From their drop off on the Okpilak they are headed for Mount Michaelson, Mount Isto, and any other peaks that beckon to them. So here is hoping that they find the fresh traks that they are looking for.

Mount Michaelson from the 6,700 ft level of the Esetuk Glacier

Three Generations of Pilots

flycoyote — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:25:23 +0000

People often ask me how long I have been flying. I am a third generation pilot, and have been flying with my dad since I was old enough to look over the panel. The truth is that my dad had me sit on a wood box ,covered with carpet, placed on the seat so I could see outside. The story starts a bit earlier though, with my Grandfather, Elmo Nickisch. Elmo received his pilots license in June 1947 and bought N577C, a Stinson 108-3 pictured below, later that year.

Grandpa Nickisch 1950

Elmo was know for delivering mail during the winter, when the roads drifted shut, by throw mail out the aircraft as he flew over the farms.

Elmo's Aeronca Chief in a Parade Wishek, ND

My dad, Willard Nickisch began flying in 1969, before I was born. He has owned several aircraft over the years including N8LP a Piper Seneca I. This is the first aircraft that I was able to put my hands on the controls.

Willard Nickisch with Seneca N8LP

My Dad has always found a way to incorporate flying into his work. He spent one year flying for Danielle and me, as a pilot for Coyote Air. He now also flies for Wings of Hope, a humanitarian Medivac Service based out of St Louis, MS

Willard Nickisch and passengers on a Wings of Hope Flight

We will see whether the next generation continues on with the family tradition of flying.

India to Alaska

flycoyote — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:07:40 +0000

The Coyote Air crew is back in Alaska after a very interesting trip to India. The experience was amazing. We are still sorting through our pictures and our thoughts from the trip. Mostly we are happy to be back in our Alaskan Paradise! Every time we travel we remember how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful place.

Taj Mahal, India

If you would like to see more photos from our trip check out http://coyotefamily.wordpress.com or use the Nickisch family blog link.

The Coyote Crew is in India

flycoyote — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:53:12 +0000

We are a little behind in updating our blog. As soon as we figure out Indian computers we will post some pictures. Next, tigers, ancient forts and the Taj Mahal.

The Coyote Air Crew is in Peru

flycoyote — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:41:17 +0000

Dirk, Danielle and the kids are currently on vacation in Peru. We will be blogging on our family travel blog, link located below. Check it out!

Nickisch Family at Ollantaytambo, Peru

Autumnal Equinox in Coldfoot

flycoyote — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:36:03 +0000

The Autumnal Equinox brings the official end of summer and here in the Arctic it also seems to bring the end of Fall. We woke this morning to heavy snow fall turning our world white. Never is the change of season so rapid and so complete as in the Arctic.

Koyukuk River Valley

The change of the season also means our summer work season is coming to an end. We are making the slow transition from full time business life to full time family life. As we make this transition we think fondly of all the folks that visited or flew with us in the Brooks Range this year. We want to thank you all for making this another spectacular year. We feel privileged to be able to share this part if the world with all of you and we hope that your next adventure, where ever it may be, is a grand one.

After the planes are packed away and we have had a chance to catch up on a little sleep and paperwork, we will be off on our next adventure. We are headed to Urubamba, Peru for the month of November to take Spanish lessons with our friends Robert and Barbara at the Casa Colibri Eco Lodge. Not only will we be filling our heads with Spanish, but we will also be tickling our imaginations in the land of the Incas. There is nothing like ancient stone fortresses to spark the mind.

The new year will take us to India. Plane tickets are in hand but no real plans have been set down as of yet. We will keep you posted.

Until then, stay warm.

Kongakut backpacking trip

flycoyote — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:14:04 +0000

June 2009 Kongakut River backpacking trip in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Campsite on Baseline Creek