Denny wrote:
The vast majority of back country airplanes are single engine...
From my seat in the cockpit I say he did good in a tough situation...
I'll fly with him any day...

I'm not denying the pilot did an incredible job landing the plane
in light of the geography in the area.

However....

ceiling on a non-turbo PA32 is 14-16K. At the time of the accident,
the ground temps at Vail put the density altitude at 13-15K on the
ground. I still don't know if the aircraft was turbo or not. If
turbo, ceiling goes up to 20K.

So, assuming flying at 1-2K AGL (and ground is 10-11K) then the
aircraft was at the published ceiling. Not surprised they couldn't
get out of the valley.