Mike P.
Well-known member
I tend to look at things in a simple way. I don't care what she had climbed before or what she planned to climb in the future. The most important skillset a successful mountaineer has, is the ability to read conditions as he or she climbs. That point is even more prevalent here with her experience. You can take all other factors involved in this situation and toss them out, she started out in acceptable conditions, but proceeded into unacceptable conditions. Do storms approach fast and catch you quickly? Yes, but the line in seeing this as it happens before its to late is critical here. As a soloist myself, I think the group idea is moot. As a soloist, frankly its easier to make sound descisions, because you don't have to hem and haw with the group, you assess and react, fast. If your fit, you can get caught in weather and make a rapid descent, getting below treeline and safety. The size of the mountain is irrelevant as well, this same scene has played out on most major peaks worldwide, sometimes you may have minutes to make the right call, once you fail to make that call, the line has been drawn.
I agree, generally.... It's easier to make decisions when you are solo, the soundness of the decision depends on the individual. (and the make up of the personalities of the group)
In most cases here, we are an experienced group of New England and ADK hikers, most of us in all four seasons. I've made a few decisions that I got away with but would question the soundness of the decision I made. (At least one on driving to and from the hike, another on a fall day in the pemi after flooding rain, some clothing issues early on in the late fall and winter learning years. - it's a trick answer, you should always be learning....)
In my earlier winter years, I was glad I had a pretty good core group to hike with. I'm a bit of an over planner and while never a summit or die type, some plans have been over ambitious. A couple of the people I've hiked with, I have trusted their judgment over my own since I am aware of my faults in the mountains.
One friend did have a hike get dicey because he opted to be a good team member when he should have corrected the dominant personality he was hiking with that day. The least experienced member of that trio got an icy ride down Eisenhower because they were going up off trail. He knew better but the personality leader was confident. My friend later learned the other guy had only a couple of winter trips under his belt.
Your last line is spot on, sometimes you only have a window of minutes to make the right decision. (Even hours before a storm because you may be hours from shelter)
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