Processesof reasoningby mountainguides in light of many uncer tainties ar e outlined. Risk management is treatedin terms of human psychology. The profession of guiding is both an art and a science. The challenge,for practicing guides, is to merge elements of art and of science in their work. This paper presents a conceptual framework for safety determinations by guides on behalf of clients.
Mountain guides consider safety in a situational context.
Let us call this cognitive sequence the security determination. Guides navigate through dangerous situations with the security determination as a compass. Perceptionof danger is not exact, nor are cognitiveproc- esses precise. The security determination for any situation is fraught with uncertainties. It does not necessarily correspondto the anticipatedsafety of the situation, which is why an 'accident' could occur.