TAY reports and avy hazard, a heuristic trap?

Can I pose a different form of the same question?

Does anyone here believe that reading trip reports results in an inability to objectively assess risk in the field?

If you feel your ability to objectively assess risk was compromised by reading a trip report, were you aware of it at the time?

Does anyone here believe that reading trip reports results in an inability to objectively assess risk in the field?

My answer is "no." But I still think Lowell's question is worth pondering, as I don't think this is a black-and-white sort of business. It's more of the classic "slippery slope" with a potential mix of additive "traps" including how a party thinks once a goal is set. It's always good to be aware of all the influences on our decision-making.

The original question asks, more or less, if the trip reports, especially trip reports with lots of positive language, foster "monkey see, monkey do" behaviour, thereby compromising objective thinking. Are trip reports inspirational/aspirational? Of course. That's the nature of "stoke", if you will. However inspiration by itself does not constitute a perceptual trap. To answer the original question you have to determine whether or not beautiful photographs and positive descriptions of skiers descending the incredible terrain on Mt. Rainier compromise an individual's ability to think objectively, i.e. to select terrain objectively, to assess in-field conditions objectively, etc. It's just my two cents.

I guess you could ask the same about any heuristic trap. I don't see it as a black-and-white sort of deal.

I think the rash of incidents last weekend had more to due with" Blue Sky Syndrome" rather than a lot of glowing Trip Reports, which is pf course another trap.

On a glorious day like last weekend after such a long spell of bad weather, people where determined to get out and enjoy it. People get goal orientated on days like that and the bright sunshine and general feeling of well being that conditions like that promote makes you feel that nothing bad is going to happen.

Hey Scotsman -- I kinda like your signature in this context! :