Thanks for the inputs, I'm just under 4000 hrs TT and around 300 of that is above 10000 in the Rockie Mountains in the UH-1. 700 hrs of twin time, 175 in the EC-135P1 this last year working a HEMS job.
I spoke to the three pilots that retired from this job. They had 20,23 and 25 years with the program and they reinforced what I already knew about the area and mountain ops.
Last winter I also had the pleasure of meeting a FW Instructor pilot that's been flying the area for 40 years. Some good stories and lessons' learned about the mountain passes we routinely fly.
The winds were from a low pressure area with a cold front, the plains east of the mountains had high wind warnings with gusts to 75kts.
The lead pilot has a "go and take a look" attitude and wants the pilots to adapt that for all flights.
His comments generated my thought processes or doubts to ask the question. Again thanks for the inputs.