Earlier this year, I had business reasons to be in northern Idaho. I live in southern Idaho and prefer flying a direct route that gets me to my destination in two hours and 15 minutes. The day of my departure, however, Airmet Sierra was in effect and the mountains were obscured. I had two options: I could see if I could get on top and fly to the clear areas on the other side of the mountains, or I could take the much longer valley route that would keep me below the ceilings.
