I agree with you. Weather should not be a problem. I personally would also fly the direct route.
In this case, most of the flight over the mountains should be covered by radar. It would be interesting to know, were the radar trace endet. Was he decending (forced to decend) at this time?
Joe
Since the Radar Sight/track was from US Border Patrol Aircraft and I believe they might be a little short on information and capabilities of that equipment so that information might be considered a little sensitive at this time.
My personal feeling is that 8500 would be a minimum altitude for this direct route of flight passing Lytton, before this there are many valleys and lower terrain that would allow a lower altitude.
But then again the fuel consumption is lower at higher altitudes and with thiner air the plane has less drag and you would see high true airspeeds a big factor when flying into a headwind.
Jim
Some posts about radar position: http://www.aviation.ca/content/view/5056/117/ (please scroll down, and... Do not come to insult me later if there is nothing of interest inside ) EDIT: for me the problem's settled.
Interesting photos, high pass, low pass
Seems serious people, but caution: as usual, not verified, not official info.
EDIT: Noted that the previous "weather report" given by the press was false too... Thank you infinitely joe1203. I thought of arriving retired before I see suitable info coming to us...