It is worth noting that hiking in a group is not, per se, any indicator of increased safety. Again, what counts is experience, either collective or individual, and with a group, someone who will provide leadership and direction when necessary.

In my SAR experience, the factor in common for nearly all of our victims was inexperience. Wandering Daisy is, as usual, absolutely right about experience in specific conditions being necessary. I might even add that recent experience is what really counts. I am an old desert rat who moved to California about twenty-five years ago. When I do return to the desert, I will start out cautiously. California's balmy climate has sucked away all my desert conditioning, as well as my desert mindset (leaving only my dry humor).