About Scrapbook Thirteen
This is Forrest Fenn’s scrapbook number thirteen. Forrest shared this note on Dal Neitzel’s website in February of 2013. You can find the original scrapbook post at this link here: (offline) Scrapbook Thirteen.
Forrest Fenn occasionally shares favorite memories, moments, and reminisces with Dal Neitzel through these scrapbooks who then shares them with the rest of the Fenn treasure hunting community. While Forrest has said they do not specifically contain clues related to Fenn’s treasure, they give us insight into his life, thoughts, and memories which have all helped define who he is and what is important to him.
In scrapbook number thirteen, Forrest shares his love for flying through the Rocky Mountains, the states he used to fly to (including New Mexico, Wyoming, and Montana), what he enjoyed seeing under the wings of his Piper Malibu Mirage plane, and details about renting cars at little airports.
From Forrest Fenn
Forrest, all alone in his Piper Malibu Mirage, scouring the country side in the wilds of New Mexico. He said that one of his great pleasures was “…going to the airport, pushing the hangar doors open, cranking up that beautiful sounding 350 HP Lycoming engine, and heading north for Montana or Wyoming, not knowing or caring where I would land.” It was not something he had to worry about for at least 600 miles. “I didn’t have to talk to anyone after I left Santa Fe, and at a hundred feet above the telephone poles I could see a lot of things under my wings: moose, grizzly bears, teepee circles and cowboys on horseback. If I saw a little airport I’d look in the book to see if they had a rental car. If they did I’d land and ask about anyone who collected arrowheads. I sure met a lot of great ranch folks that way and ate some pretty volcanic elk chili.” He said, “I can’t think of anything I’ve ever done that was more exilerating.”
One of Forrest’s great pleasures:
“…going to the airport, pushing the hangar doors open, cranking up that beautiful sounding 350 HP Lycoming engine, and heading north for Montana or Wyoming, not knowing or caring where I would land.”
– Forrest Fenn
Interesting Details About Fenn’s Scrapbook #13
Where Forrest Would Fly To
It sounds like Forrest loved flying his Malibu Piper Mirage around and through the Rocky Mountains. The world looks totally different from the bird’s-eye view in sky and the watching weather patterns develop is incredible at cruising altitudes above 5,000 ft. Up there, you feel on top of the world with a front row seat as you watch weather fronts roll in and clouds build against clear blue skies.
It also sounds like Forrest saw a lot of interesting wildlife and other things under his wings as he traveled the country and flew close to the ground. He mentions a book in his scrapbook post. Could that be an airport reference guide book to Rocky Mountain airports? Did he have a airport reference list for each individual state? I wonder, “where was Forrest Fenn’s favorite airport?” (Besides KSAF – Santa Fe Municipal Airport)
About Forrest’s Piper Malibu Mirage M350
The Piper Malibu Mirage is light, single engine aircraft. It is a cabin class aircraft meaning the cockpit and passenger compartment are included in the cabin. The Piper Malibu Mirage M350 features a pressurized cabin, a 350 hp piston-powered engine, and retractable landing gear. It was designed to carry up to five passengers at altitudes of 25,000 ft over ranges of 1,343 nautical miles on the 120 US gallon fuel tank.
Piper Malibu Mirage M350 Manufacturer’s Specifications
Relation To Fenn’s Treasure Location
The 1,343 nautical mile range of Forrest Fenn’s Piper Malibu M350 means that he could have flown the entire range of the Rocky Mountains without a problem. For example, the direct flight distance from Santa Fe, NM to Missoula, MT is around 762.82 nautical miles* (depending on weather conditions). Also, the 25,000 ft max ceiling of the M350 made it a very capable aircraft for mountainous flying. This means that Forrest Fenn could have flown anywhere inside the Fenn treasure search states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana to hide his bronze treasure chest. Once on the ground, he would have had to rent a car or borrow a courtesy car at the landing strip or airport for his final trip to the treasure’s location hinted at in the Fenn treasure poem.
* 1 nautical mile = 1.151 miles
About Forrest Fenn
Forrest Fenn is the writer of these scrapbooks. He sends them to Dal Neitzel for sharing and posting. Forrest hid a treasure chest full of gold somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and dared anyone willing and brave enough to come look for it. You can learn more about the Fenn’s treasure hunt here: How to Find Fenn’s Treasure.
See Forrest Fenn’s Other Scrapbooks
Interested in learning more about Forrest Fenn, who he is, and his shared memories?
SEE THE OTHER SCRAPBOOKS
Forrest Fenn’s Scrapbook Number Forty Six
