After touchdown we headed back to the cargo ramp to load up the last of the goods for PAWD. The weather was quickly deteriorating in Anchorage but still good enough to make it out.
We knew the weather would be closing in around PAWD but it looked like we’d have enough time to make it in for the night. With PANC not being an option for return we planed for Fairbanks as our alternate, quite a bit further out of the way but with the light cargo load we had room for the extra fuel.
The snow was picking up steadily on our taxi back out.
We had one pilot coming in request a visibility check (VATSIM) and I’m pretty sure he was well below minimums before he saw any runway but he made it in safely and we quickly took off behind.
Unfortunately, we were not quick enough and the storms engulfed PAWD quicker than forecasted. We followed the RNAV approach through the mountains but as we descended and circled there wasn’t a light to be seen.
After one pass we throttled back up and started our climb until we could safely head out and headed direct to Fairbanks.
The storm blew out overnight and the next day we had beautiful sky’s to make another attempt into PAWD.
As we got closer, the clouds blanketed the mountains, allowing the peaks to pierce through.
But as we descended the sky’s opened up again for a visual into PAWD.
Love chasing our shadow, with some bonus birds!
