Looking at the chart, one could fly inbound from ZEDAG to the FAF at 1,900' which I'm guessing was the the reason for the "cross ZEDAG at 2,000 or above" clearance. The late request for the hold was what led to the CFIT. AFAWK, neither the controller, nor the crew took action to CLIMB to the 4,300' MHA. The terrain on th final approach course is fairly flat.
The course inbound is 13nm to accommodate the gradient for the intermediate segment which is dictated by the terrain in the course reversal hold. It is 316'/nm from the IF to the FAF, as it is.
I'm not so sure making it standard would have lowered the MHA. There is more terrain than depicted.
Last edited by galaxy flyer; 17th Mar 2013 at 19:43.