PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20; Flight Crew Total 200; Flight Crew Type 180
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Inflight Event / Encounter CFTT / CFIT
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Procedure
I had been practicing IFR approaches into OXR and were vectored home through Van Nuys airspace on the north side; approximately 5 miles off VNY. I was descending down to 3000 ft prior to entering Class D for WHP with 2000 ft altitude pattern.I was skirting the mountains fairly close; and fairly low to the ground; at about 120 knots.I was vectored to a left 135 heading. I stated to the controller from VNY 'That is into the mountain!'He retorted back; 'I suggest you climb.' My CFI took over from that point. It is her aircraft and she flies it easier than she walks. She went full power; and found a sliver into the mountain range; which allowed for a steep ascent. Because flying in VFR conditions with full afternoon light I could easily see the mountains that are over 4000 ft tall; and jagged.Had it been night time; had I been disoriented and didn't know what I was... I would have taken those vectors into the mountain.
Piper Cherokee pilot reported ATC vectored the aircraft toward high terrain in the vicinity of VNY.