[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Oh, Baloney! You've soloed now, so jump back in that 150 and head west across the Rockys! They look grand from above. And, since it's summer, no need to check weather or file a flight plan- Just jump in and Go!

A couple years ago, I was stuck in the middle of Montana waiting to thunderstorms over the Rockys to clear. A National Guard helicopter flew in, low under the scud, and I started a friendly conversation with the uniformed Guardsmen. When I told them I was waiting to head back to the Seattle area, they encouraged be to go for it:

"It will give us something to do- To come find your wreckage".

Keep gas in the tanks, and keep out of the clouds, you won't become a statistic.

Years back...1976 to be exact. Driving over Independence Pass from Aspen to Denver, we came across an aircraft recovery operation at the 11,000 (or so) foot level. Chatted with the guys taking a break. This a full time summer job for them, hauling aircraft wreckage out of the Rockies. The way it was explained to me, pilots in single engines have no problem gaining enough altitude when flying to Aspen...but leaving Aspen, they fail to climb high enough, get caught in a canyon with no room to circle...and into a mountain they go. The guy I chatted with said he'd not want to fly into Aspen on anything less than a turbocharged twin.