My Spring Fling in Montana

It all started in Las Vegas on a clear, sunny day on March 27 as I boarded a Delta jet bound for Butte, Montana. The purpose of my trip was to cover the Outdoorsman for two weeks while the owner, Rob Leipheimer, was off on a European ski adventure. The trip to Salt Lake was uneventful, although I noticed the storms to the north of SLC on approach to land. After a short transfer, I boarded my flight to Butte with about 23 other folks.

The flight to Butte was scheduled to last 53 min, but at 57 minutes into the flight I knew we were in deep kimchi. As a pilot, I know all too well what an entry into a holding pattern feels like. After about two complete holding pattern loops the pilot came on the intercom and said that snow conditions in Butte had shut down approach into the airport. He said we had enough fuel to circle for about 30 minutes before attempting to land. After 37 minutes we exited the holding pattern. The pilot came back on the intercom and said we were heading back to Salt Lake. Ten minutes south bound back to SLC, the pilot came back on the intercom and said there had been a break in the weather and they were going back to Butte to attempt to land. Well, things were looking up! It didn't last long. As you can see from our aborted landing in a snow storm over Butte, Montana shot on my iPhone.

As luck would have it, we climbed out and headed to Helena to refuel, as at that point the plane didn't have the required fuel reserves to make it back to Salt Lake. We landed in Helena and were given two options: to stay on and attempt another landing in Butte and if aborted a second time head back to Salt Lake; or get off without our luggage. I decided to get off! I managed to talk the ground crew into getting off my carry on bag that had a week's change of clothing and headed off to see about a car rental. I was in luck and rented a car that I would drive to Butte, some 63 miles to the south.

This is what I encountered. A nearly 50 mile drive through the same snow storm that forced the aborted landing in Butte. It was a Butte-e-fully adventurous day. One I'll never forget. At least I made it to Butte. The flight refueled in Helena, went back to Butte for a second landing attempt which was also aborted. They flew all remaining passengers who didn't bail in Helena back to Salt Lake for an overnight. My luggage didn't get back into Butte until Tuesday morning, two days later. I made the correct decision!