Back Country Safety: Ideas for solo travel

About all I could add to this informative discussion is that after once being snagged by the skis in an upside down position and trying to push on the heel release of my freerides my adjustable hiking poles did not have the strength to withstand the severe pressure needed to make the binding release and kept telescoping in. It took about ten minutes of doing the upside down sit up and pushing on the heel piece with my hands to finally get a release. As a result I have never used an adjustable pole since and use only a regular ski pole for touring.
Does anyone out there believe in the spiritual aspects of the nature that is all around us in the form of rock, tree, water, and air as well as the many animals that are sometimes encountered. I feel that there is something at times in the high country in the snow seasons that is worthy of honoring and humbling oneself before. Perhaps it is a Shinto like belief or Native American feeling, but somehow I don't know, but with all the precautions one takes in bc skiing honoring the mountain within one's heart in complete sincerety is a way towards a realization of being with the snow and understanding with one's spirit as well as one's brain what the mountain is about. Do you ever thank the mountain for what it has given

Do you ever thank the mountain for what it has given

Nearly every trip. Should be every trip.

Perhaps a viewing of the recent film "127 hours" is useful when considering what challenges one might face on a solo outing.

I've done plenty of solo stuff, the risk factor is somewhat more managable when one chooses more popular routes where one has a chance of summoning assitance from other people in the area -- but if you go more than very short distance off the beaten track and/or planned route left with a friend -- even a minor injury is difficult to recover from -- particularly in the winter.

Does anyone out there believe in the spiritual aspects of the nature that is all around us in the form of rock, tree, water, and air as well as the many animals that are sometimes encountered. 

yes  

 Do you ever thank the mountain for what it has given

No, because the mountain, the plants, the wildlife, the weather, and me just are ... we are all enmeshed with one another.

Great thread and replies. Thanks to the OP. I, too, because of schedule but also preference like to get out in the BC solo. I'd say I play it very conservative: winter/freshies is for partners in the BC, resort skiing or XC tours (mellow). Spring corn is great for impromptu BC turns. What also helps this is that I love corn, blue skies/sun, warmer temps- everything about spring skiing almost (maybe) more than a big powder/dumping/snowy day. I'm sure folks will think that lame but it's true... I tend to do more BC skiing in the spring/early summer...