Similar to the post I made in the PLB thread, most everyone is willing to take more risk when they know there is a backup plan, like your hiking buddy and/or a PLB. The simple fact that most of us carry gear in the back country causes us to accept additional risk. At the same time, we're willing to accept some form of additional risk because we believe we're properly prepared to handle that risk.

All in all, going solo is riskier. Overall, your chances of getting out of anywhere alive is greater in a group. There are always cases where that is not the case. But they are the exception and the same may not hold true the next time around.

For the wise, it boils down to risk tolerance and what you are willing to accept. For the unwise, stupidity leads them astray. We will all have times when we make foolish actions in the spur of the moment, that may even go against our risk tolerance level. In those moments, we may get excited by the rush; however, we must also accept the resulting consequence, whether good or bad.

Like others, I enjoy hiking solo. Enjoying the backcountry in its pure form, quiet and at my own pace. But I choose my solo routes where I know I will occasionally encounter others as well and I make sure my wife knows where I'm going. Groups get me into remote areas. We still spread out from base camp or at our final destination. But we know the general area each other will be and have the means to communicate.