Not always so! I urge everyone on this forum to read a book, "The Last Place on Earth" (Roland Huntford), the story of Raol Amundsen's race to the South Pole. Amundsen was the first to the Pole, but Robert Scott, who arrived a month later and died returning, was the man who went down in mythical proportions in British history. Amundsen was promptly forgotten! Why? There was certainly nationalistic pride involved and the British fascination with stubborn failures. But beyond that they hated Amundsen because he made it seem simple! Amundsen learned from the native peoples of the north and was committed to a light, fast expedition with dogs as a result. Scott on the other hand struggled south with a huge party and horses! The real message of the book (IMHO): with good advance planning and willingness to learn even the formidable becomes easy. I urge everyone interested in the rigors of outdoor living to read this book.