The route to Death Valley was planned south of Mt. Charleston (11,916 feet) at LF110.The climb out of Las Vegas was horrible, less then 500ft/min due to a strong down-wash wind from the mountains till we reached 8000 ft. Traffic control was very kind and provided me continuously with radar vectors, even I did not ask for ! A service you would never get in Europe.

Above the 8000 ft we climbed 1500 ft/min to FL110. Traffic control cleared me once out of controlled airspace and I could start my scenic flight over the desert that brought me to Death Valley.

I broke my personal record .... flying at FL110.

Once you crossed the desert at FL110 you come over the valley, where I had to descend 11.000 ft into the valley. I decided to go left to go overhead Badwater and then cross the valley till Furnace Creek.

I went overhead Furnace Creek to take a look at the wind strength and direction .... the wind hose showed a strong wind! Indeed, a landing with approximately 40 kts headwind resulted in a touch and stop within a few meters.

I broke a second personal record ... landing at -210 ft and a third one ... landing with a 40 kts headwind.

We tightened the aircraft and walked 5 minutes to Furnace Creek for a drink before the return flight.

Departure was as funny as the landing. Full throttle, releasing the brake, and once rolling we just needed a few meters before we could lift from the ground. I decided to start a spiral climb to stay away from the cliffs and avoid a possible down-wash wind to reach 11.000 ft.

The return route was planned north of Mt. Charleston and south of Area 51. A large corridor that brought me straight back to Las Vegas.

Traffic control was very kind, just proceed and once entered downwind I was immediately cleared to land.