Great video thanks Shawn! I am already missing the flying paradise. Smart man didn't go to Barrow on top. Those clouds are loaded with hard water could easily trap anybody above them. One week is very tight for a trip like that. Picturesque route I watched your video couple times and found places I've been over. It looks like you knew folks there in Alaska before the go am I right?
Did you meet Dave at Kotz? A&P building a Zenith?
Yes, layer over Barrow has been very solid and thick. On the day I tried, the ceiling was 1000, it is pretty good for Barrow, but I couldn't pass the mountain (maybe hills more appropriate), once passed the hills, I should be fine. A little disappointed, but don't mess up with mother nature, my RV7 is not IFR equipped.
And yes, I saw two Zenith CH701 at Kotz, they are building the third one. I might have met Dave, if he is one of the only few mechanics in the field. After landing and taking off at Noorvik gravel field, I found some prop damage by stones. Taxied to Bering Air for help, a tall guy (I forgot to ask his name, because I was concerned about the prop damage) came and took a look at my prop, and said that's nothing to worry about. He showed me what a real nick looks like, a prop blade with about 1/4" deep cut, just like being cut by a knife. He still took out files and smoothed out the "nick" for me, for free. A great guy!
I knew one person in Kotzebue, and that is why Kotz was a destination. Also met a lady working in FSS at Kotz who knew about my trip from a pilot group on facebook. She is also member of that group. She was gladly surprised that I made it all the way to Kotze when she heard my radio call and tail number. Not many RVs in that part of country, mostly Cub variants and C207, Caravans. I had very good tour in their FSS office, very impressive.