"...the best equipped person is the one who avoids the trouble in the first place..."

I couldn't agree more. Someone who recognizes a possible problem situation and doesn't let it escalate into something life-threatening should be admired more than the macho type (M or F) who sees it and keeps going to where he/she finally decides it was a bad idea, no matter what they are carrying.

Determination has a lot to do with survival, but so does plain old dumb luck, good AND bad. When a situation goes so bad that your survival is at stake, how much did you have to do with getting there?

Having the right gear helps, but it doesn't always offset poor judgment. It just gives you an edge that may help you survive. Or not.

Sue