If on the subject of solo moutaineering, then Reinhold Messner's solo climb of Everest probably inspired this trend of solo attempts.

It is a personal choice. But the judgment about whether you are 'stronger' than your objective ... that's a very personal decision. It is easy to look at one's inner strengths and say ... YES, I can do it. It is equally easy to overlook the serious problems that can come from small mistakes. We are all human.

My comments here are NOT a personal attack about the young lady from Argentina. She did exceptionally well. I was commenting about the general philosophy of solo-adventuring. You are bargaining with your life when you do this.

It is a very tricky 'judgment call' to find a balance between courage and wisdom

Pete

Messner is a newbie. There has been a long, rich tradition of solo mountaineering. Consider Hermann Buhl who did a first ascent of an 8,000 meter peak in the 50s (Nanga Parbat, I believe). Later perished while climbing.

What about Alex Honnold and his solo, high grade technical climbs? He waltzes over stuff I can only dream about......

I read about Buhl when I started climbing - probably induced me into some of my solo trips, which fortunately ended OK and I became more prudent without serious incident.

We learn more from our mistakes if we live to tell about it.