ok so this is partly a vent and partly a heads up for anyone planning to fly near national parks in the US. national parks are a no fly zone full stop, i knew this going in but figured id at least get some shots from just outside the boundary near the south rim. problem is the wind down in that canyon is absolutely insane and nothing like what the weather app was showing at ground level.

had a really strong updraft hit the mavic right as i was bringing it back and it just got pushed sideways into a weird angle, nearly clipped a rock formation. heart was in my throat. got it back fine but man it was close. the lesson i guess is that canyon environments have totally unpredictable airflow and no amount of pre-flight wind checking actually prepares you for it. fly super conservatively if youre in terrain like that

yeah canyon flying is no joke. ive done some shots in southern utah and the thermals are completley different from open field flying. you lose satellite signal down low sometimes too which doesnt help. glad you got it back

this is why i always set my return to home altitude way higher than i think i need it, saved me a couple times in hilly areas. also kind of surprised you got close enough for that to be an issue given the park boundary situation but hey not judging, those views are hard to resist