wrote:


Having said all that, I've read here and on other aviation forums of pilots getting
heading assignments out of non-tower airports in the flatlands.

Doesn't matter if the airport is in the mountains or not you should not
ever get a heading at a nontowered airport.


Isn't there some
provision in the 7110.65 that permits that "open entering controlled airspace..." or
something to that effect?

Yes, you should receive a clearance that states "upon entering
controlled airspace fly heading xxx." Or "Enter controlled airspace
heading xxx."