Ötztal Mountains: Your own behavior can be a risk

Mountain accidents in Austria are predominantly male. Around 85 % of fatalities in mountain sports are men. "This is mostly due to hormonally driven gender differences," Alexis Zajetz explains. He is a psychologist, psychotherapist and member of the Alpine Club's "Group Leading" training team. "Dominance is more important to men. They tend to be more willing to take risks. In the course of evolution, this was an advantage for asserting themselves against other older, more experienced silverbacks. The problem is that an avalanche doesn't know about this advantage." In mountain sports, therefore, daredevil behavior often backfires and rational decisions are required more than ever. "And that's where women have the advantage," says Alexis.

A major pitfall is called "escalation of commitment." Alexis explains it this way: "The more I have invested in reaching a goal, the less willing I am to give it up. Someone who has paid 60,000 $ for climbing Mount Everest and trained for two years is determined to reach the summit." Often by hook or by crook. It also applies to even smaller projects: I absolutely have to do this hike because I only have this weekend! And because the refuge hut in Ötztal is already booked! But there's a fly in the ointment: this is how we end up on the slippery slope of selective perception. Suddenly, we only read the weather forecast details that speak in favor of our plan.

Too many cooks spoil the broth, at least when there is no head chef. In groups of friends who are supposed to be equal, unclear responsibilities can become a pitfall. Alexis describes a ski touring example: "The first one thinks: if everyone follows me, it will still be fine. And everyone behind him thinks: if he keeps going ahead, there won't be much avalanche hazard. But afterwards you realize that everyone had already a bad feeling for a long time. But nobody said anything." The silence of the lemmings. Here, it's not that wrong decisions are made, but rather that no decisions are made at all. Because we prefer to follow the flow in a group rather than being unpopular as a party pooper.

Our brain's reward system also plays tricks on us. "Downhill skiing on untouched powder is pure bliss," Alexis enthuses. "Imagine me standing on top of a pristine powder snow slope. The reward system might scream and beg out of sheer greed and therefore overrule the frontal lobe - which is responsible for active and rational decisions." As a consequence we become reckless. "And in no time at all, Alexis numbed by the reward system, is skiing down the slope because his friend Kurt is already making his way down."

Routine generally increases safety in the mountains. Unless, of course, it lulls you into a false sense of security. Because "it went well" doesn't always mean "it was wise". You might have narrowly escaped an accident without even realizing it. "I can ski down dangerous avalanche-prone slopes for years and be lucky," explains Alexis. "It is like Russian roulette: just because I have survived ten times doesn't mean I will have any advantage the eleventh time." In such situations, your brain tends to mistakenly attribute the positive outcome to our own competence. And we truly believe: it's always only dangerous for others. But that's a misconception.