This one is a dead-end too, but a brief excursion beyond 11,000 will get them in the clear. The stewardess comes forward to tell them that a baby is crying in the cabin; she takes one look forward as they approach the ridge, and withdraws without waiting for a response.
After a few tense minutes, they're in the clear, and the captain eases the ship down slowly, being careful to stay clear of the mountains left of their course.
"She seemed nervous," the copilot says quietly.
"She ought to try that sometime with people shooting at the plane; then she won't worry so much," the captain jokes. He looks at the mass of rock to his left, then at the copilot on his right. The copilot is not smiling.
the captain makes a mental note to go for Monarch Pass next time.
No more clouds ahead; they descend near Parlin, and he swings the big twin around for a modified base to the runway at Gunnison.
a bit high on final, but he's got it locked by the time they clear the fence.
A gentle, tail-low touchdown and short rollout herald their arrival, on schedule: now it's time to get it turned around for a timely departure to Montrose.
Next: Misty Lakes and Mountains
