I have been getting some flack lately from friends/family who spend little time with me in the mountains. They prefer the "safety nets" of ropelines and ski patrol and shake their head at me when I head for bigger terrain and fresher snow of the backcountry. Of course I bring my own "safety nets" with me, including rescue gear, first aid, beacon/shovel/probe. I look at it as calculated risk and let my gut, snow conditions and knowledge of the backcountry determine my choices. But are they any less likely to fall victim to an accident playing it safe in life? 

According to Bruce Tremper of the Utah Avalanche Center, I am more safe sking Canada's backcountry then driving a car for 8 hours a day… Life is rull of risk: if you don't bother calculating risk then life may be taken from you, or pass you by.

http://utahavalanchecenter.org.....he-terrain