I plead guilty to breaking the rules.

I most often hike alone in the mountains, off-trail and on steep or rough terrain. I don't carry a PLB, GPS or a cellphone. I sometimes change my planned route, exit date, or destination on the fly, often after starting out.

However, I accept the risks in return for the rewards of "the freedom of the hills."

I am also not an idiot. I carry and actually know how to use a map and compass. I read guidebooks and descriptions of my planned hiking area voraciously if I am unfamiliar with that area. I am a very experienced backpacker. I am also a paramedic and carry a very good advanced FAK. I leave a thorough description of my planned route AND likely variations, along with very current photographs of myself, my clothing and gear, and even a photocopy of my boot treads. I use two hiking poles to reduce the odds of the most common types of disabling backpacking injuries - falls and ankle/leg sprains and fractures, although I willingly and frequently cross sketchy bits with some serious exposures to get where I want to go. I do the lightweight thing, but I'm not ridiculous about it. I carry adequate shelter, food, water, repair gear, etc. I don't carry a "survival kit" per se when backpacking, since my gear is already my survival kit.

I would find being on the receiving end of a rescue effort quite embarrassing, but I don't count on it, and I'm not afraid of being hurt, alone or dying. Safety isn't everything, and I accept the consequences of my actions. My newly wealthy widow won't be suing the National Park Service or whomever, either. She understands, accepts and supports my need to do these things.

Jeff