EQDC3: Last Leg, part 3

[beaky]

My next planned course change is at the VOR near Ambato, in a high valley nestled in the area where the Cordillera Oriental meets the Andes. But I can't seem to receive it. I try tuning in the nearby Pastaza VOR, south of there... a beeline to that station will still keep me clear of the higher peaks. For now, I've descended to about 6000, to stay in the clear and try to determine my position.











Ugh... low clouds. Getting very marginal. Looks like I'll be filing for IFR again... hope they can steer me through the giant mountains ahead! I contact Bogota and file for Marta by way of Pastaza.








They immediately tell me to climb... I finally pick up the Pastaza VOR, and make straight for it. Abato comes in, then the signal drops. Definitely the mountains...










Then things clear up a bit...but I'm glad I'm being guided by ATC now- looks nasty ahead.










There are big clouds ahead, concealing big rocks...









Definitely getting into the mountains now... but the ship is light, and will climb well when I ask her to.








Soon the hills are shrouded in haze again, and as the sun sinks, I see worse clouds ahead.















Still not too bad, though... but soon I'll have to climb and will not be able to turn much among the peaks.










Wow... this is shaping up to be one of the best sunsets so far...








As I cross a high ridge, I see that I will indeed have some solid IMC soon. The way ahead, with the worst of the peaks, is wrapped in big clouds. Somewhere out there looms Mt. Chimborazo, topping out at just over 20,000 feet...






Next: Clouds, Volcanoes, and the End of the Line!!

[Hai Perso Coyone?]

Can't wait for the end Rotty

[Daube]

Same for me !  8)
I love that DC-3 skin.

[beaky]

Thanks, guys... the next posts are in the pipe, coming shortly.
That skin is awesome- it's supposed to be an Air America bird ("this plane is not here"). Think I posted credits for that earlier; now i forget again...