On Jun 17, 8:58 am, Steve Wilson wrote:
For what it’s worth, there were very good reasons as I saw it to call
“mayday” while over the desert in Utah. But I also committed a
fundamental error of not having clearly located a suitable landing site
within gliding distance.

Steve, thanks for the report and honest critique. I think many of us
with extensive XC experience have been in a situation similar to yours
at one time or another. It's good to know that what you did is a
viable option, and not something to be afraid to do. The discussion
over the last few days on RAS has also provided some good insights and
things to consider. But in the end, it's best not to second guess
one's own situation in the heat of the moment and just take the safer
option.

-Tom