RST,

You have either never had a single-engine aircraft engine failure or believe
that you are invincible...both of which are tested when you take this route.


How? Why? There's a risk, alright - just as if you fly across the SF Bay at
sight-seeing altitudes, just as if you fly a single engine over any "difficult"
terrain, just as if you fly a twin, for that matter, according to the accident
stats. Heck, flying over the L.A. basin leaves you with WAY fewer emergency
landing possibilities than Tioga Pass.

Is the risk acceptable? In the summer, with a ton of meadows to land on in case
of engine failure? In the winter, when you spend a maximum of 20 minutes over
really high terrain? For me, it sure is. What kind of flying do you do that has
that much lower risk?


--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)