> [R]eal, actual nature bears fatal risks for anyone, if you are unprepared, uninformed and not cautious. I think if you read to the end, you'll see that's not

> [R]eal, actual nature bears fatal risks for anyone, if you are unprepared, uninformed and not cautious. I think if you read to the end, you'll see that's not really the conclusion. The author concludes with: > Repeat these numbers on the trail at dawn when you hear the huffing of a bear on the cliffside below. Repeat them as you cross the river and feel it tug on your ankles. Repeat them when the lightning cracks the sky above you, strikes the rock beside you, lights the world up violet around you, reminding you for just a second that this is all just random and it is not the Oklahomans in jean shorts trekking into the Grand Canyon with cans of cola in hand who are fools, but it is you; you were a fool to believe that this is all some ordered system. Your example is telling: > But every year we have countless helicopter rescues of utterly unprepared tourists surprised by Alpine weather, and luckily not often but still regular casualties. So common, that "stupid {German,Italian,Youcallit} tourist getting himself nearly killed because he thought mountaineering was a Sunday afternoon hike" has become a huge meme in our country. Sure, but in the last few years, we've lost some of the world's best alpinists. No one could accuse Ueli Steck of being unprepared. And it's not just about the risks of dong the cutting edge: while Marc Andre Leclerc is known for his daring free solo ascents, the way he died was in an avalanche on a regular rappel route, after the daring ascent was over. Tommy Caldwell has said that since he's become a father, he doesn't climb under snow pack any more: not because he's not prepared but because it is impossible to be prepared, at least not completely. I think that's the point of this essay. I've got a WFR, lots of climbing and hiking experience, participated in a bunch of rescues, and in general I play it pretty safe and am very well-prepared. But ultimately, nature is just beyond preparation to some extent.