PA46 Piper Malibu - Challenging Mountain Departure at Glenwood Springs, CO

According to AOPA, KGWS is the fourth most challenging mountain airport in the US for a number of reasons. Density altitude, unforgiving terrain, short runway, and unpredictable winds... As you'll see here, a decision to depart downhill with a tailwind stretched the takeoff roll beyond my personal limits.

Challenges aside, the scenery was spectacular and we enjoyed our time there. We'll do it again for sure!