I flew in Alaska for many years. Difficult runways was just a normal day at the office.
One runway was a military out post. I can only say that it was in Alaska. It had about a 15% up slope, gravel, and a military ATC giving advice since his office was in the clouds. Land uphill, take off down hill. The normal procedure was to stay below the clouds, slow flight the plane, full flaps, aim for about halfway up the hill and wait for contact with the ground. Then half throttle or more to taxi up to the flat parking area. Also the parking area was usually in the clouds. To depart, Contact the ATC and ask for any traffic because we are still in the clouds, then start the downhill roll. I forgot to mention the down hill end of the runway ends in the bay. While going down hill, wait for rotation speed, hope you are out of the clouds before hitting the water. After lift off, hold a level attitude to build air speed, hope the clouds dont go down to the water, usually a turn to the west over open water and a clear sky. If successful, thank God and hope I dont have to come back again. Years earlier a DC-6 (C-54) tried a go around, it was still on the hill side about a half mile past the top end of the runway. I can say those military folks were always very happy to see me. I had their mail, food and new movies for them. They didnt have DirectV or internet. I went into this strip in a Cessna 206, 207 and Caravan.
Another memorable runway was a one way in, one way out private strip for a hunting guide. I would fly hunters in and out for him. The runway was a mixture of dirt and grass, rough, long enough with about a 5% upslope. It was about 1000 feet surrounded by tall trees that also made the runway boundry. The approach end started at a beautiful glacier lake, torquoise blue water with about a 20 foot sand beach. The sand was the touchdown point. About 500 feet down the runway, the runway made a 40% turn. The strip was just an area where the trees had been knocked down by a bulldozer, so the upturned roots were there waiting to catch the wing tips. It was a good 60 feet wide so there was not much worry about hitting a stump. The turn was made by using rudder and right brake pedal, and was usually made at about 40 knots. Watch out for horses and/or moose grazing on the runway. Departure was just the opposite, taking off in the other direction. Taxi towards the end of the runway and during the turn around, full throttle was applied before making the first 90% of the 180% turn, or you wouldn't have enough airspeed before hitting the lake. Not to mention any engine hiccup would put you into the 34F degree water. But it was beautiful water. After rotation, the departure was like any other normal departure. I always enjoyed it because some hunter would always ask me if the first time I landed there was I nervous. I would make my hand shake, show it to them and reply, "Why yes, yes I was a little nervous". I only used the C-206 for this strip.
