Uncertainty & Desire

High risk, high uncertainty, adrenal glands fully dilated, GIV'ER!  Stimulation please!?

Maybe I ought not have had that extra espresso.

another quad shot.


HIGH DESIRE.

Here's the original heuristic article.
www.snowpit.com/articles/traps%20reprint.pdf
IMHO, for me... what's going on in my mind and the minds of my partners are EQUALLY important to what the snow conditions are.
In fact, the more I do this and the older I get... I'm fast coming to the conclusion that psychological aspects are MORE important than snow conditions in avoiding an avalanche.

Thank you for the links. I agree about avoidance first, but at the same time I’ve also said to myself:

a) “It’s just me and so-and-so and I’m not sure he even knows how to use his beacon. Plus he’s so wiped from skinning can he dig? Nah, I’ll pass on that line and just cruise back on the ridge.”

b) “My four bros know what’s up, they’re in a safe zone, they’re strong as hell and they can dig. Screw it I'm dropping.”

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has used this thinking to justify skiing (or not) a line, but at the same time I wonder if there is any evidence to support that more searchers = higher incidence of survival. It worked out for Treadway on his sled. What if there was just one guy with him? And would he have still dropped the line?

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has used this thinking to justify skiing (or not) a line, but at the same time I wonder if there is any evidence to support that more searchers = higher incidence of survival. It worked out for Treadway on his sled. What if there was just one guy with him? And would he have still dropped the line?

Doesn't this fall under the group/team dynamic? Certainly I want to accept less risk if I'm out with a noob or solo compared to when I'm out with a team of trained and proven avalanche rescue professionals.

Desire is a double edged sword in the backcountry. I can't make the big rewarding trips without it, but it has to be constantly checked against the stupid meter. Everything is stupid to someone, but will I regret this choice later...?

I Can't formulate in my simple head Cookies initial request for input.

So you are going to have to infer or extrapolate what I'm saying.

I try to put myself in terrain that is manageable. There are many choices, I control the choice. Even if the danger is moderate to high, I like to think that I can manage the terrain to make it either safe to ski or go around it to a safer place.
I'm learning to put myself in a position where if all things fail I have an exit plan.
Nothing needs to be skied so bad in any condition that it overrides my sensibilities.

Sometimes people just luck out. I know I have many times. It's not that they are uncertain or knowing at all... just Forrest Gump Luck.

I'm always uncertain and always have desire. The level of experience of my partners is irrelevant in my choice to go if uncertainty is moderate to high. Getting caught in any avalanche is to me, unacceptable. Whether they can find me and dig me out NEVER enters into it. Too many things beside being buried can f*ck you up.

We've all gotten lucky!

Easy for me. Yet I do understand the conundrum of the more advanced.

Uncertainty - Always Extreme. Comes with an understanding of my lack of knowledge coupled with a fully developed frontal lobe

Desire - If there is snow under me, my needs have been met. Enhanced by declining levels of testosterone.

Aaron - Good call about "could they shovel me out" My young friend has adapted well.