In reply to AdrianC:
> "Don't be a lone woman in a group with three or four blokes in the hills." Apart from the extreme unlikelihood of my ever being a woman in a group of blokes anywhere, their point was that the general testosterone-fuelled decision making process of the guys was even more skewed by the presence of a female.
>
Hmmm. I can't say I've ever found this.
It's great climbing with a female partner, but it's unfair to suggest that all men are irratonal testosterone-fuelled headcases. When it comes to hillwalking and Alpinism I'm often the only woman in a team of men. Three years ago for example it was me and seven blokes in Saas, and I had a great time (thanks guys!)
There has been the odd occasion when I've clashed with a bloke and I've thought it was gender-related but it's rare and I expect I'd clash with just as many women.
Usually people treat my opinions with respect. On the few occasions that I can think of when I've said "I think the safest thing to do at this point is bale out (or stop and bivvy here)" I've been able to give logical reasons and they've been listened to.