I've spent the last 20+ years in the BC Rockies. What terrifies me is any trips out east onto that godforsaken flat land you guys call "Praries".. Luckily, that happens very rarely.
There have been a lot of good points brought up in this thread, local knowlege of weather patterns help, as does strong knowlege of your aircraft and it's performance charts. Some good training on some proven mountain flight proceedures, some common sense and a bit of luck and you're all set.
I have operated a 206B up to 12,000, with the proper Wx, loads and attitude, it can be done if conditions are correct.
Life is so much easier now since the 407 entered the picture.
Have fun out there on the flatlands and over the oceans boys, it's not for me.
